We had such a great time at the Academy. The boys have earned the Forester Badge as a result of their late-night efforts. The parents have earned nothing for their lack of sleep, although we're looking into a "sleeping on hard surfaces while surrounded by snoring adults" badge for them (that badge will arrive in the form of a full-size air mattress with ear plug accessories). Thanks for participating!
3/10/08 Den mtg. Summary
Engineer Activity Badge/Pin (page 212)
Requirement #1 -- Kurt discussed engineering as a career:
1) There are many types of engineers … electrical, mechanical, civil, computer;
2) You need to graduate from college to get a job as an engineer;
3) Higher level degrees/experience equate to higher salaries;
4) Pros and cons of engineering
Pros – good salary, flexible hours, fun work
Cons – sometimes long hours, sometimes frustrating, “on-call”
Requirement #6 -- Kevin explained simple (series) circuits. The boys constructed a circuit using combinations of 6V batteries, knife switches, light bulbs, and doorbells. They connected the loads together with wire and alligator clips.
Requirement #8 -- Isaac helped the boys use a block and tackle “crane” to lift various objects. Due to the configuration, the boys learned that the block and tackle setup approximately reduced by half the amount of force needed to lift an object.
4/14/08 Den mtg. Happenings
We plan to continue with the Engineering requirements (page 212)
ACTION ITEMS
At home ... Requirement #2 -- Please have the boys draw a floor plan of their home ... include doors, windows, and stairways. As mentioned in the last email the boys could use Google SketchUp … a FREE download ...
http://sketchup.google.com/index.html.
During Den Mtg. ... Requirement #3 -- We also chatted about using Legos, Tinker Toys, and Lincoln Logs to work on the "construction site" requirement. The boys would work from existing plans to construct a project during the den meeting. We’ll address this in a future email, once we decide how to work this one. James will bring architectural construction plans to show the boys.
At home and during Den Mtg. ... Requirement #7 -- The boys should familiarize themselves with bridge types (page 218) and be prepared to talk about them with the group. We will construct popsicle stick bridges during the meeting. Check out the following link to explore large structures and what it takes to build them (BUILDING BIG, a five-part PBS television series) … http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/ … very cool (highly recommend the companion book, "Building Big" By David Macaulay).
And don’t forget the Boy Scout Oath, Motto, Slogan, and Law (pages 54-57).
Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns, input.
Isaac and James
James' cell 215.470.4738
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