GIS Merit Badge

[tdfoxsr736]

I read an article that said that BSA is working out the final details for a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) merit badge. I think this is a great idea. If any of you has ever played with Google Earth, then you know the neat information that can be displayed and combined with other data on a satellite photo of the earth. GIS is a blossoming field now. Government agencies as well as private business use this valuable tool to display all sorts of data on maps. It's the step up from graphs and charts. Do a keyword search for GIS and see all of the many varied applications.

I also believe that GPS deserves its own merit badge. The game geocacheing is catching on like wildfire. It's a scavenger hunt using GPS, and it's very addictive.

[AquilaNegra2]

Looks like it's just about here. Preliminary requirements already posted at http://www.scoutingnews.org/2010/03/11/ ... rit-badge/

[deweylure]

I hope this Merit badge will go through unlike the Centennial Badges. I would just wait until the final requirements are posted.

Dewey

[smtroop168]

Our DE gave this out last night as a handout. I noticed that there are still a number of editorial comments still included in the document so I wouldn't go out and start working on this one yet.

I've also seen preliminary requirements for Inventing and Scouting Heritage MBs as well.

[AquilaNegra2]

Hopefully the "Inventing" badge no longer includes getting a patent . Care to share the *preliminary* info you have on that?

[smtroop168]

Hopefully the "Inventing" badge no longer includes getting a patent . Care to share the *preliminary* info you have on that?

No but it does include the drsft requirement:

Examine your Scouting gear and find a patent number on a camp item you have used. With your parent’s permission, use the Internet to find out more about that patent. Compare the finished item with the claims and drawings in the patent. Report what you learned to your counselor.