{"id":2395,"date":"2019-12-01T23:53:38","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T05:53:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learningtostem.com\/?p=2395"},"modified":"2019-12-04T14:40:14","modified_gmt":"2019-12-04T20:40:14","slug":"how-to-earn-your-astronomy-merit-badge-in-scouts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learningtostem.com\/how-to-earn-your-astronomy-merit-badge-in-scouts\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Earn Your Astronomy Merit Badge in Scouts"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Boy Scouts merit badge series are great step-by-step processes for how to engage kids in a particular topic. Even if your child is not actually in the Scouts program. Earning a badge for a topic requires completing a series of tasks that scaffold a kid’s engagement and learning.<\/p>\n

Earning an astronomy merit badge requires 8 steps, some of which have multiple components.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Step 1: Safety Awareness<\/h3>\n
Part A: Potential Safety Hazards during Astronomy Activities<\/h5>\n

Any activity can involve some layer of risk, but generally it can be mitigated by being aware of your surrounds and preparing ahead of time.<\/p>\n

Astronomy activities that involve observing celestial bodies will usually occur outside (backyard, park) or at a planetarium. Planetariums are most likely unfamiliar places, so being aware of your surroundings (trip hazards, emergency exits, etc.) is important.<\/p>\n

Backyards and parks are familiar places, but you may not always spend time in them at night. And you may be looking to keep the outdoor lights to a minimum, so having a flashlight handy can keep you safe from tripping over a stray root or misplaced toy.<\/p>\n

Part B: First Aid<\/strong><\/h5>\n

If you or your child are participating in an indoor astronomy activity, the need for first aid will most likely be limited to cuts, scrapes, and bruises.<\/p>\n

Outdoor activities, though, may require a bit more first aid treatment. For example, animal bites and stings can be troublesome, but alleviated with proper first aid equipment. Also, if you are hiking to your observation area, remember to follow proper hiking procedures (e.g., make sure to bring a full canteen \/ water bottle to ensure you stay hydrated).<\/p>\n

Part C: Proper Clothing and Precautions<\/strong><\/h5>\n

To be honest, proper clothing for outdoor astronomy viewing is no different than proper clothing for other activities. That said, here are a few tips courtesy of Wikihow:<\/p>\n

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  1. Layer clothing<\/strong>: This can mean different things depending on the season. In winter, you may want to wear (or at least have available) several different types of cold protection: hat, gloves\/mittens, scarf, sweater, etc. In summer, you should consider having 2-3 lighter layers; this will allow you to shed excess clothing if you get warm.<\/li>\n
  2. Bring other items to ensure comfort<\/strong>: Yoga mats, pillows, tarp, sleeping bags, folding chairs, and other camping items<\/a> can be beneficial to have with you on an astronomy excursion. Not only can these add comfort to your outing, they can provide additional warmth. Especially if you’re not constantly active (e.g., several people sharing a single telescope).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    Part D: Observing the Sun and Moon Safely<\/strong><\/h5>\n

    Observing the Moon with a telescope neutral-density Moon filter on your telescope<\/a> to diminish the brightness, particularly during the gibbous and full phases.
    \n<\/strong>
    \nUnlike the moon, you cannot look directly at the sun.<\/strong> One way to prevent any risk is to use filters specifically designed for solar viewings. Over at astronomy.com, they advise using one made from     “aluminized Mylar film or glass coated with a nickel-chromium alloy”.<\/a><\/p>\n

    Want to make your own Mylar solar filter at home? Here is a DIY video:<\/p>\n