If youd like to write about a different topic (hermit crabs) this article provides a ton of reliable information on recent studies which shows the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. Id definitely recommend checking out my comprehensivedifficulty rankings for every Eagle-required merit badgeif you havent seen it already. Now that you know the causes and effects of erosion, its time that you find and photograph some eroded landscapes, yourself! Discuss what is an ecosystem. There might be many different types. Heres an example of a nutrient cycle: plants (living) grow using sunlight and soil (nonliving) and are eaten by animals which are then later eaten by larger animals (living). Using Many Scouts, myself included, have used this requirement as an opportunity to plan their Eagle Projects. would appreciate it. Im sure youve heard of this, but I want to tell you a lesser-known fact about the 3 Rs. Take notes, make drawings, and take pictures so you can remember all of the diversity you observed. Present your report to your patrol or troop. }Or~?j5(_:OhP;cp2e}5 O=~Y#5H?"iN{"^_4VkpM/`P O*|> Csy0H'PI If youre new to ScoutSmarts, you should first check outpart 1for the answers to requirements 1-3 of the Environmental Science merit badge. However, I strongly encourage you to consider completing a few of the requirements that I dont cover. old, scout rank. Now its time to start researching! Pollution prevention refers to any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents a source of pollution. Please, let me know if you have any questions or need help finding information. The Defenders Of Wildlife nonprofit was also founded around that time. For BOTH study areas, do ONE of the following Mark off a plot of 4 square yards in each study area, and count the number of species found there. Carbon pollution began to increase from a baseline of 280 PPM (parts per million). and "Find a Local Beekeeper.". The issue with brownfields is that theyre often unsafe to redevelop upon until theyve been cleaned and revitalized. Write a 100-word report on the species and discuss it with your counselor. Make it count . See you over on requirement 2! Our summer camp is approaching and #4 is a prerequisite to have done prior to camp. If not, here are the three most widely used methods: Whenever an area filled with native plants is killed off by invasive species, we all lose something. Present to your counselor a one-page report on how and why honey bees are used in pollinating food crops. Include dates, names of people or organizations, and important . For example, kudzu vines are an invasive species from Asia that have spread to the United States. airshed, nonpoint source, hybrid vehicle, fuel cell. Answers to Requirement 2 of the Environmental Science Merit Badge. My son has typed up his observations listing the information but it appears that the worksheet is repetitive. define what would count as a project Report your research orally or in writing Identify the contribution made by the Boy Scouts of America to environmental A watershed is an area of land that catches and collects freshwater. your experiment, and make a poster showing your results. To earn this Eagle-required badge, you'll need to learn a plethora of environmental terms, conduct your own experiments, and create a timeline of historical environmental events. But wait, it gets worse. Read more about ecosystems and see some examples. In 2002, Scouting released their Leave No Trace Front-country Guidelines and Leave No Trace Award. each visit far enough apart that there are readily apparent differences , The useful links are included in some sections. Youll only need to do seven of the eight options available to complete requirement 3, and learning about bees is the hardest of the bunch. To learn more about the science behind erosion, watch the super-instructive video (4:06) below! For BOTH study areas, do ONE of the following: Mark off a plot of 4 square yards in each study area, and count An ecosystem is maintained through a delicate balance in resources between its predators and its prey. Pollution-capturing airsheds could lead to health problems for the people living within those areas. Fur trapping gained in popularity as settlers expanded westward. Then, have a chat with your counselor and discuss how you can help alleviate the problem within your own community. 5 0 obj Just a little over 50 years ago, the population of wild bald eagles had fallen into the low hundreds. No other organisms fulfill this need, so the dung beetle is the only creature occupying the ecological niche of using animal droppings as a food source. Discuss your observations with your counselor. * =Phh^Z}*&@aMJakVB w{ PQ3Ci |BN!>PDlv( For example, you might consider if a project will displace or harm wildlife in the area. It isnt a direct problem for us that small fish are becoming filled with plastics and toxic chemicals. Interested in signing your child up for Scouting (or becoming a BSA/Boy Scout yourself)? You can easily write your 100-word report after checking out their article, here. community or camp and explain to your counselor what can be Hopefully, you'll learn a few things along the way and make the best of your time in Scouting. For instance, imagine a cave system; most of the air would not escape, and would just be circulated around and around. Requirements were Smaller animals may be especially susceptible. and what propolis is and how it is used by honey bees. how they are spread, and the recommended means to eradicate In 1626, Plymouth leaders passed a law that controlled the harvesting and sale of timber on colony lands. aquatic life, what the effect was, and whether the effect is discuss the problems faced by the bee population today, and Invasive plants are organisms that have recently been introduced to a new geographic area by humans. Include dates, names of people or organizations, and important events. Scouts BSA Nova Award (Science) Helps and Documents, Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Helps and Documents, Thomas Edison Supernova Award Helps and Documents, Conservation Ranger Core Requirement Helps and Documents, Nature and Environment Troop Program Feature, Wildlife Management Troop Program Feature. gather the data on the environmental impact that project would have, going and discuss it with your counselor. @John - The Boy Scouts of America program is separate, and not Find out about three career opportunities in environmental science. Plymouth Colony became the first established English colony in Massachusetts. Ive heard firsthand that the work of an environmental engineer is incredibly rewarding. x+TT(T0 BcsSs3Tp}\C|@ G Important excerpts from the Guide To Advancement - 2013 , No. Choose two outdoor study areas that are very different from one another (e.g., hilltop vs. bottom of a hill; field vs. forest; swamp vs. dry land). Onward we go. Discuss your observations with your counselor. this profession might interest you. site which will help you find out what invasive species are a problem in your area, Splash! and what its new status is. Heres how it works when put into practice: Now that you know the 3 Rs, its time to learn a few ways to reduce pollution in your own home. Things like pollution, animal displacement, etc. I'm Cole, the guy behind ScoutSmarts. Do research on two invasive plant or animal species in your community or camp. Nemo, the clownfish, lives within a sea anemone in a mutualistic relationship. Hive a swarm OR divide at least one colony of honey bees. Youre halfway done. Alright, time to talk about water pollution. I earned my Eagle back in 2014, and along the way, learned how to be a dependable leader. Im a little confused on what to do on requirement 5 on environmental science, its says using the construction project provided on a plan you create on your own identifying the items You would need to be included in an environmental impact statement for the project planned. Has anyone done this before. that others, for either physical or mental development, but there are no 40 science. This is what wells were used for back in the olden days! For all you soon-to-be Eagle Scouts out there, listen closely. In school, were taught not to plagiarize, and the same is true for Scouting worksheets. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The Brownfields revitalization act, started in 2002, helps fund local governments in cleaning and restoring brownfields. Impact of a Waterborne Pollutant on an Aquatic Community. 1 /BBox [0 0 387 576] /Resources 10 0 R /Group << /S /Transparency /CS 11 0 R The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. This type of rain has an extremely harmful effect on plants, animals, and human infrastructure. Photograph an area affected by erosion. Do merit badges have suggested ages? Keep a journal of your data and observations. a total of six visits), staying for at least 20 minutes each time, Discuss your observations Answer these questions in your own words, do further research, and I promise youll gain much more from every merit badge you earn! Read more about ecosystems and see some examples. for example, might state that a satisfactory bridge or . Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the site author is strictly prohibited. PS: The article also links to my other ultimate badge guides thatll help you to complete your merit badge worksheets. I'm the Scoutmaster for Troop 517 in Arlington, Texas. Many environmental policies have been created, changed, and then done away with in that time span. 8/11/2020 Environmental Science Merit Badge Answers: A ScoutSmarts Guide - ScoutSmarts 4/23 Option 1: Look around your home and determine 10 ways your family can help reduce pollution. to changes in their environments. The methods that she worked with them on devising helped to conserve water, reduce pesticide use, and saved the farmers money! A few examples of resources that we should work to conserve include: Although it isnt easy for most businesses and individuals to make conservation a part of their regular practices, its something that we all must commit to. Start reading! By conducting experiments and discovering answers for yourself, youll learn more than any pamphlet can ever teach you. how bees make honey and beeswax, and how both are harvested. Ill go into more detail on this topic below. :). 3a. There are three types of symbiosis: Have you ever watched the movie, Finding Nemo? How and Why are Honey Bees used in Pollinating Crops? at least two of these methods for five days and discuss with Thats why we must protect our planet! Directions were to define these. A non-point source usually refers to sources of pollution that are generated from a large area, rather than a single point. and his merit badge counselor. Conduct an experiment illustrating the greenhouse effect. Acid rain is one of the main causes of water pollution. Plot twist, it's not! Pollution is harmful to humans, as well as many other living organisms. In your report, discuss the problems faced by the bee population today, and the impact to humanity if there were no pollinators. with your counselor. report with your troop or patrol, your class at school, or another Requirement 1. allergic to bee stings. In nature, this could be a Savanah where plants grow on top of rocks using sunlight and nutrients. projects and report on what you saw. Can you please explain what #5 for the Environmental Science merit badge? with your counselor and discuss why the area has eroded and An airshed refers to a geographic area that circulates the same flow of air. Then, well dive into some of the causes of waterborne pollutants, biomagnification, and its effect on aquatic life. been combined ("chained") rather than taken out and back. Learn to identify the major invasive plant species in your Its time to get back into it! ;Gq/qqv[N_x;b6~ca=GQ. However, the ecological definition of a community is different it just refers to how different species interact with each other. Now you know everything youll need to write about in your report. Tip: If youre unable to find a list of invasive plants in your city, you could also try looking for a list of invasive plants in your state. Your email address will not be published. If this rating is shown on your list, choose the plants that are most widespread. Discuss your observations with your counselor. In 1849, the US Department Of Interior, responsible for the conservation and management of most federal lands, was created. Requirement 4 of the Environmental Science merit badge will require you to get your hands dirty! Some of those categories include: Environmental lawyers protect these categories by representing communities, organizations, farmers, and even wildlife in court. Threatened species are any organisms (animals, plants, aquatic lifeforms, etc) that have the potential to die out in the near future. A fuel cell converts the chemical energy of a fuel into electricity. Write the names of these three invasive plants down. Include dates, names of people or organizations, and important events. He needs This exciting technology has not yet been perfected, but its being increasingly applied throughout the world! Both of these options are a lot of fun to complete, so Id recommend you choose whichever one youd enjoy the most. To see the changes which were made, Wow, we just covered a ton of info and now the page is even beginning to lag! Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why Environmental Science Merit BadgeCurrent Scouts BSA Requirementsas of November 27, 2022. Keep a journal that includes the differences you observe. How Does Biomagnification Affect Aquatic Life? Acid rain occurs in areas where there are high amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide air pollution. COURSE INSTRUCTOR. Identify the contribution made by the Boy Scouts of America to environmental science. like college-level work to me. The USDA has a site which will help you find out what invasive species are a problem in your area. However, the components that cause acid rain, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, can cause heart and lung problems in humans. It might do the same for you once you check out requirement 5 down below. to observe the living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem. Philmont Scout Ranch was founded in 1938 by Waite Phillips. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Identify the contribution made by the Boy Scouts of America to environmental science. Write a 100-word report on how that pollutant affected aquatic life, what the effect was, and whether the effect is linked to biomagnification. Discuss your findings with your counselor. Learn how your comment data is processed. honey bees. out not - that is up to the scout What this means is that instead of a singular factory pouring their waste into a river to create pollution, the pollution is instead coming from a large area and being carried by liquid runoff. If all of this sounds like itll be confusing, dont worry! Trash can harm animals when they swallow it or get tangled in it. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you. www.beeculture.com If youre looking for a few more home sustainability ideas, some of the things I personally do to reduce my impact on the environment include: By now you should be a sustainability expert! Requirements 3 & 4 MUST be completed before you attend your merit badge day class. in nature and how it survives. Discuss your observations with your counselor. endstream Watch the short video (4:18) below for some smart ways to reduce your carbon footprint as a student. D/64 5QDaGol`( [8S]^F Dont worry though! See the list. what might be done to help alleviate the erosion. symbiosis, niche, habitat, conservation, threatened species, endangered Or, come up with a few pollution-reducing ideas of your own. Examples of extinct species include woolly mammoths and dodo birds. Report to your counselor orally or in writing the biodiversity count and set expectations. However, if youre interested in bees (because theyre vital to humankinds survival! For example, imagine a flourishing coral reef. 3g(3), your counselor can help you find an established This is a very time consuming merit badge - and there is a fair amount of prework (!!!) It gives them better insight how EISs are used. You dont actually have to conduct this construction project or write an actual environmental impact report. Your environmental impact statement (EIS) should take into account the effects of your project on both humans and the environment within your immediate area. Charlotte it is in the merit badge pamphlet under Environmental Impact As populations decrease or are wiped out entirely, the entire ecosystem can be permanently damaged by any of these types of water pollution. 7 Our Troop you can help hive a swarm or divide a colony of explain/show the history of environmental science and contributions These magnificent birds were on the brink of extinction! This is our planet that youre learning about! Now, lets pause for a second to take a closer look at how dumping garbage into lakes can negatively impact aquatic life. Explain what is acid rain. Share your photographs with your counselor and discuss why the area has eroded and what might be done to help alleviate the erosion. On the invasive plants website I found, there was an option to click on each plant to learn more. one category and do the activities in that one category only? Do research on one species that was endangered or threatened j@_ kLz Explain how a hive is constructed. Lots of other environmental acts were passed. Sounds easy, right? Identify the contribution made by the Boy Scouts of America to environmental science. This can be done by placing stricter regulations on the emissions a factory is able to produce, or by encouraging the public to purchase more environmentally-friendly vehicles. Once you finish this badge, youll be equipped with the knowledge needed to understand and protect our planets resources. BSA Advancement ID#: Hive a swarm OR divide at least one colony of honey bees. This site is not officially associated with the Boy Scouts of America. % environmental merit badges, including this particular badge. find the World Organization of the Scout Movement at scout.org. Make at least three visits to each of the two study areas (for a total of six visits), staying for at least 20 minutes each time, to observe the living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem. How to get Environmental Science Merit Badge - Secret Merit Badge University Hack - YouTube Hey guys, Mac Guzman here. Plus, by pursuing this career, youll be in a fantastic position to protect our planet and its people! Write a 100-word report on the species This will help with noticing different things. Choose two outdoor study areas that are very different from one Is there a printable checkoff sheet for this merit badge? own that is approved by your counselor. @Rebecca - You are correct that some merit badges are more challenging Chemical pollutants are swallowed and make the animals sick. These plants are then eaten by antelope, and the antelope are eaten by lions or other predators. Record the trips taken, mileage, and fuel consumption of a family car for seven days, and calculate how many miles per gallon the car gets. Make a time line of the history of environmental science in America. Well, thats one way humans use to alleviate erosion! Ask whether In modern times, an enormous problem is that countless species are going extinct every year due to human actions. Also, remember thatScoutSmarts should just serve as yourstarting pointfor merit badge research. age limits. You can use it to learn the definition for each term. For instance, my mom would often assist farmers in building erosion control methods on their property. He has been a principal contributor for integrating the beekeep-ing aspect in this and other pamphlets. Eric Wells: ericwells2018@gmail.com, 415-846-2127. natural resource professional to identify two projects that A habitat is a type of environment in which a particular species lives. An ecological niche is the role that an organism or population plays in its environment. is beyond repair. Discuss your conclusion with your Conduct an experiment illustrating the greenhouse effect. Click here! Do research on two invasive plant or animal species in your Option 2: Determine 10 ways to conserve resources or use resources more efficiently in your home, at . View current Environmental Science Merit Bagde requirements and resources from the official Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Hub I earned my Eagle back in 2014, and along the way, learned how to be a dependable leader. Click here. Through these actions, we are sometimes able to save endangered species from extinction. done to either eradicate or control their spread. construction project is provided or what type of project is BSA looking for? with your counselor. Find out where the species originated, how You can see examples of erosion anywhere just take a look at almost any cliffside and youre bound to see an eroded slope. If one of the factors changes, all of the others must adapt, migrate, or die. Take photographs or make a drawing of the soil before and after PS: If bald eagles had gone extinct, would we still earn the Eagle Scout award? The merit badge pamphlet does not have the necessary info for requirement 5. 656017 Below Ive created a timeline documenting some of the most important events in Scouting and environmental history. Do research on one endangered species found in your state. For example, while black rhinos and African elephants are both considered threatened, black rhinos are critically endangered (estimated pop. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MERIT BADGE At Cub Run RECenter The Environmental Science program is now a single 5-hour class. Identify the contribution made by the Boy Scouts of America to environmental science. needed to complete the merit badge. counselor. Be prepared to work hard and learn a lot! Do ONE activity from SEVEN of the following EIGHT categories (using the activities in this pamphlet as the basis for planning and carrying out your projects): Conduct an experiment to find out how living things respond to changes in their environments. species, extinction, pollution prevention, brownfield, ozone, watershed, coordinated with, any other country's scouting program. Discuss your results with your counselor. hI&a-?IOA*xIN54I[}U|I7u2!*#4w7*lJCBa:Cw-$GrXY!%*p Eventually, this might force the prey animals to migrate or risk starvation. Heres a great and brief video (1:58) that explains the causes and impacts of acid rain: Obviously, acid rain is acidic and is damaging to living creatures. stream How is an Ecosystem Maintained in Nature? Local wildlife lose their habitats, bees lose their sources of pollen, and we lose plants that might contain the keys to life-saving innovations. I was looking in the merit badge book and I didn't see any construction Basically, our earth is the only biosphere that we currently know of in the entire universe. can take to help reduce its effects. Present defined #4 as a PRErequisite, then he really should contact them, Discuss your conclusions with your counselor. Requirements at 2022 Merit Badge College. However, if you want to become an environmental engineer, dont let that deter you. Lol, I asked this exact same question a year ago on r/BoyScoyts. If you can refer me to an International point of contact, I Environmental Science Merit Badge Counselor, BSA Marin Council. or control their spread. 5500) whereas African elephants are considered vulnerable (estimated pop. activities. Thanks so much for reading, and for making our world a better place. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to ScoutSmarts with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Explain what is acid rain. This means that all of the people living in your city make up a population. Setting expectations of what is needed for a How do Scouts and Scouters survive buggy nights in open-air platform tents? honey bees are used in pollinating food crops. Tell how it is maintained in nature and how it survives. However, the creatures that eat the small fish: salmon, bass, and tuna, are just a few examples of the larger fish we eat. I think this badge should be required for Eagle. Having personally been a Boy Scout, in this article, I'll be sharing All Eagle-Required Merit Badges: Difficulty Rankings in 2023. Not much else happened. This may sound like a good thing at first, but over time theyll consume all of the ecosystems resources. to discuss this with his merit badge counselor to determine what could In biological terms, a population is a group of organisms that live in a particular geographical area and are capable of interbreeding. Environmental science merit badge requirement 5 answers This page will help you work through this meritor's badge. Record the trips taken, mileage, and fuel consumption of Common examples of non-point source pollution include: Nonpoint source pollution is a problem because water runoff carries natural and human-made pollutants. See more details about these different types of erosion. Ready to move on to requirement 3c)? Define the following terms: population, community, ecosystem, biosphere, symbiosis, niche, habitat, conservation, threatened species, endangered species, extinction, pollution prevention, brownfield, ozone, watershed, airshed, nonpoint source, hybrid vehicle, fuel cell. 1. To be considered a suitable habitat, an area must provide food, reproductive mates, and protection for an organism. another (e.g., hilltop vs. bottom of a hill; field vs. forest; swamp The Environmental Science merit badge will teach you how to conserve humanity's most precious resource our own planet! 650870 Discuss your conclusions with your counselor. Conduct an experiment to illustrate soil erosion by water. Ecosystems are characterized by nutrient cycles and energy flows. For instance, most hybrid cars run on gasoline and electricity. The easiest ways to discover what invasive plants grow in your area are by either asking an expert or by googling invasive plants followed by the name of your city. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required