Scouts 'plug in' to learning at CS 17 event

Published Feb. 23, 2015
By Don Branum
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY. Colo. -- Cadets in Cadet Squadron 17 held a workshop Feb. 7 to help about three dozen Boy Scouts earn merit badges for electricity.

Cadet 3rd Class Christopher Beck coordinated the event, with help from other cadets within the squadron and faculty members from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

Scouts who attended the workshop learned how to build basic circuits, how to build a switch and electromagnet and how the electricity they use is created, Beck said.

"Capt. Matt Booth gave up his Saturday to come and give some fun demonstrations in the department labs, including some lightning demonstrations," Beck said. "It was static electricity, but the scouts liked 'lightning' better."

Approximately 120 cadet hours went into organizing and carrying out the workshop, Beck said.

In addition to the activities in the workshop, Boy Scouts who wish to earn an electricity merit badge must conduct an electrical safety inspection of their homes, explain the difference between direct and alternating current, make a floor plan wiring diagram of lights, switches and outlets for a room in their home and be able to explain electrical terms, according to the Boy Scouts website, www.scouting.org.