Envi Sci/Weather MB Improvement

[hector]

In lieu of recent discoveries, I think the time has come to add a global warming requirement for the Weather and/or Environmental Science Merit Badges. I know Envi Sci has a greenhouse effect requirement, but that does not go far enough into the newer theories. Global Warming is becoming a widely accepted theory and could have infinite implications on climate, wildlife, and the environment in the near future.

BSA needs to add a Global Warming requirement within the next year or so to remain completely up to date. This is a time of rapid discovery in the environmental and meteorological fields.

Comments? Ideas? Thoughts?

[scouter01]

BSA up to date? *smrrk* uniforms *smrrk*

anyway, seems unncesary since although I belive in it othres don't and we don't have an evolution merit badge do we?

[MDEagle]

Global Warming is becoming a widely accepted theory and could have infinite implications on climate, wildlife, and the environment in the near future.

BSA needs to add a Global Warming requirement within the next year or so to remain completely up to date. This is a time of rapid discovery in the environmental and meteorological fields.

Comments? Ideas? Thoughts?

The causes of global warming are hotly debated, and there are certainly a large number of reputable scientists who don't endorse the "Al Gore" view of the world. These skeptics are routinely shouted down by their opposition, but it doesn't mean they are wrong.

This is a debate BSA should stay out of.

[OldGreyBear]

Actually, this is a good idea, if I get to change one little thing. I would have a requirement read

#. Global warming is a topic very much under debate in today's society, if you accept Global Warming, refute the argument against Global Warming using three scientific facts. If you do not beleive in Global Warming, state three scientific reasons which support your beliefs.

This would allow both sides to research and present arguments for their side. It would help develop critical thinking in the scout. Also required are counselors who would be able to critique arguments for both sides. Stating Global Warming is a fact because Al Gore and Sheryl Crow say it is would not be any more acceptable that saying GLobal Warming is a hoax because Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity say so.

This argument has many sides, it may be a good idea to have the youth see what the facts are, and how yo go about discerning fact

[Mrw]

Actually, this is a good idea, if I get to change one little thing. I would have a requirement read

#. Global warming is a topic very much under debate in today's society, if you accept Global Warming, refute the argument against Global Warming using three scientific facts. If you do not beleive in Global Warming, state three scientific reasons which support your beliefs.

This would allow both sides to research and present arguments for their side. It would help develop critical thinking in the scout. Also required are counselors who would be able to critique arguments for both sides. Stating Global Warming is a fact because Al Gore and Sheryl Crow say it is would not be any more acceptable that saying GLobal Warming is a hoax because Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity say so.

This argument has many sides, it may be a good idea to have the youth see what the facts are, and how yo go about discerning fact

I like that! All too often our kids have things that are still under debate presented as fact. And they are rarely taught critical thinking in school in most subjects.

[MDEagle]

Oldgreybear and Mwr,

While I probably prefer my solution (don't adress global warming in the requirements at all), I could certainly accept your position. However, I would change oldgreybear's draft requirement just a tad.

I think the Scout should have to do some research on both sides of the issue, not just the one the Scout believes is true.

You can always find someone to agree with you and bolster your own preconceived theories, but real intellectual maturity comes when you open yourself to the possibility that you might be wrong.

[Mrw]

Well said.

And you are absolutely correct about the boy needing to look at both sides of the issue.

I have not looked at the badge requiremnents for that in a long time, but they might be better served with a general conservation message than a specific discussion on whether global warming is affected by man.

[OldGreyBear]

Aw heck, and to think my original thought was to have the scout state a view, either for or against GLobal Warming and then write a paper defending the other side. Well, anything that promotes discussion and critical thinking is a good thing.

What would be great is to have the scout prepare for a GLobal Warming Debate, only he doesnt get to know which side he is on until the debate starts, then he would have to prepare both sides. Would require two scouts working on the badge at once unless the counselor could argue both sides, but then it becomes a new merit badge, Debating, which is an idea now that I think about it.

[ASM-142]

Debating is included in Public Speaking

[Mrw]

Including the debate in E Sci starts to make it a real chore to get done on top of all the requirements that already bog kids down.

Adding another paper or write-up to this might be a bit much too.

As a scientist by profession, I really prefer to see the doing part of the badge expanded rather than the book learning/writing part.

Regardless, any included topic that would be controversial, such as global warming (or evolution in some cirlces) would either need to be handled in a fair and balanced manner. If it is not presented in the book and requirements that way, it should be left alone.

[hector]

BSA up to date? *smrrk* uniforms *smrrk*

anyway, seems unncesary since although I belive in it othres don't and we don't have an evolution merit badge do we?

We don't, but we still have to learn about it in the public school system. Just because you are learning about it doesn't mean you have to believe in it.

I also think that learning about both sides of the issue would be a great idea. Either way, these issues are recieving lots of coverage and have a concrete connection with environmental science. The requirement should be added.

But yes, I agree. Look at both sides of the issue. Also, is there a requirement regarding the ozone layer? Another prominent news story with many sides to the issue.

These requirements do seem somewhat outdated...

[scouter01]

yah but most badges are and this one doesn't seems as outdated as others, such as computers lol/

[Lynda J]

We don't, but we still have to learn about it in the public school system. Just because you are learning about it doesn't mean you have to believe in it.

I also think that learning about both sides of the issue would be a great idea. Either way, these issues are recieving lots of coverage and have a concrete connection with environmental science. The requirement should be added.

We have been lucky with our troop. Most of the teachers I have been dealing with for the past 3 years are more than willing to help with merit badges. Especially the speech and drama, science, and computer teachers.
If you as leaders go and talk to them they will normally help. And unless you ask they can't say no but they can't say yes either.

[Hubert]

I have seen al Gores video in school, and it was indeed a powerful video.

I also agree that this should be ES, seeing how its effecting our enviorment this very day. It is in the enviorment, so why not study it?

I like the idea of debates. I love debates, I like being able to argue and proove my points. I think that the ideas presented here are great, and should be added. Scouts should research both sides of the issue, then have a side apointed to them. Then debate with another scout, adult, or MBC.

[hector]

I like the debate idea too, but it would be adding more work to an already very challenging merit badge. I'd say make it a "Do one of the following" option and then put in some alternatives along with it.

That way, everyone wins.

But there should be more debate options/requirements in merit badges. It's more interactive than just writing an essay, and in my opinion, a lot more informative.

[scouter01]

debating should be in the debating one lol. at camp this one is hard enough as it is. anoither debate would put it over the top imo.

[Hubert]

OUr summer camp doesnt offer debating merit badge, because trust me on this one, Id be all over it.

I like the idea of do one of the following, everyone would win, and they would get more information.

I also agree there should be more debating, that way we (as kids) can learn about different topics and how there are people out there who will disagree with you.

[Lynda J]

It might be an idea to have something involving debate included in the Public Speaking Merit Badge.

[scouter01]

myabe that woould work but we don't need anymore reqs. in it, hard enuf already.

[MDEagle]

I think I must have gotten the discussion on "debate" kicked off with an earlier post. To be honest, I think that reasoned consideration of other posts has led me to change my mind a little bit. So, I'd like to try again:

Whether global warming exists, and what the causes are if it does, are questions that have not been resolved by the scientific community. At best, we can say the evidence is inconclusive, and educated and sincere scientists are not in agreement. As such, I don't think the requirements are appropriate content for a science related Merit Badge.

Now, to address the other thread of conversation: In general, I definitely think people, young and old, need better critical thinking skills. I see the lack of discernment ability all the time, whether I'm in a social situation or a work environment or working with youth. Particularly distressing is the widespread belief that "I saw it on TV, so it must be true."

If the Scouting community wants to address these issues, then it should do so in another venue. Another user mentioned the Public Speaking merit badge as a good place for this, and I think that's reasonable.