Programming
Resources
- Programming Class Preparation Page
- Programming Workbook
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Related
Programming Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of March 8, 2025
as of March 8, 2025
1.
Safety. Do the following:
a.
View the Personal Safety Awareness "Digital Safety" video (with your
parent or guardian's permission.)
b.
Discuss first aid and prevention for the types of injuries that could
occur during programming activities, including repetitive stress
injuries and eyestrain.
2.
History. Discuss with your counselor the history of
programming and the evolution of programming languages, including at least
three milestones related to the advancement or development of programming
over time.
3.
General Knowledge. Do the following:
a.
Create a list of five popular programming languages in use today and
describe which industry or industries they are primarily used in and
why.
b.
Describe three different programmed devices you rely on every day.
4.
Intellectual Property. Do the following:
a.
Explain the four types of intellectual property used to protect
computer programs.
b.
Describe the difference between licensing and owning software.
c.
Describe the differences between freeware, open source, and commercial
software, and why it is important to respect the terms of use of each.
5.
Project. With your counselor's guidance, select three
different programming languages and development environments. For each
sub-requirement below, do the following: Write or modify a program using
the indicated programming language and development environment. The program
must take input and produce output based on computations and decisions made
on the input. Debug and demonstrate the program to your counselor. Explain
how each program processes inputs, makes decisions based on those inputs,
and provides outputs based on computations and decision making.
a.
In the first language and environment, write or modify a program, debug
and demonstrate, and explain as above.
div class="gap">
With your counselor's approval, choose a sample program. Modify the
code or add a function or subroutine to it. Debug and demonstrate the
modified program to your counselor. The Programming merit badge
website, www.scoutlife.org/programming, has a number of sample programs
that you could use for requirement 5. However, you have the option of
finding a program on your own. It's a good idea to seek your
counselor's guidance.b.
In the second language and environment, write or modify a program,
debug and demonstrate, and explain as above.
c.
In the third language and environment, write or modify a program, debug
and demonstrate, and explain as above.
