Scouting America’s merit badge program continues to expand, this time with the launch of two badges aimed at giving Scouts some of the skills needed to be successful in our constantly evolving digital world.
The Cybersecurity merit badge is designed to provide a comprehensive look at the world of digital security, equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of the online world.
The Artificial Intelligence merit badge introduces Scouts to the world of AI, including the ethical considerations that come with this advanced technology.
“Scouting has always been about preparing young people for life,” says Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America. “Today, that means more than mastering outdoor skills – it’s about understanding the digital world and its impact on our lives. The new AI and Cybersecurity merit badges give Scouts the tools and ethical foundations to navigate and lead in a rapidly changing world shaped by technology.”
Work on both merit badges can begin today using the resources available at Scouting America’s merit badge hub. There are currently no plans to produce printed pamphlets for the two newest merit badges.
“The Scouts BSA Merit Badge Committee is excited to introduce these two new merit badges, in addition to the Multisport merit badge that was launched earlier this year,” says David Ehrlich, innovation and pilots chair for the Scouts BSA Committee. “These topics were selected because of their alignment with the Scouting program and values, their relevance to today’s youth members, the practicality of implementing the badges, and how fun and engaging the topics are.”
What’s the Cybersecurity merit badge all about?
The Cybersecurity merit badge introduces Scouts to a variety of cyber threats, from viruses and worms to social engineering and denial-of-service attacks. They will learn to identify common vulnerabilities in systems and applications.
The badge moves from theory to practice by requiring Scouts to learn and demonstrate real-world security skills. This includes creating strong passwords, understanding the use of firewalls and antivirus software, and learning about encryption.
The badge also emphasizes the importance of responsible online behavior. Scouts learn about the risks of sharing personal information online, the dangers of cyberbullying and the importance of respecting intellectual property.
Scouts will learn about the diverse and growing career opportunities in the field of cybersecurity, from security analysts to ethical hackers and digital forensics experts.
What’s the Artificial Intelligence merit badge all about?
As they work on the requirements for the AI merit badge, Scouts will explore the fundamental concepts of AI, different types of AI and how it is used in everyday life.
A critical part of the badge will be a discussion of the ethical implications of AI. Topics include data privacy, the potential for bias in AI systems and the impact of AI on jobs and society. The idea is to encourage Scouts to think critically about the technology’s role in the world and their responsibilities as digital citizens.
Scouts will also be asked to investigate career opportunities in AI and related fields. This will involve researching the education, training and skills required for such professions.
What else is new in the world of merit badges?
A Sewing and Needlework badge and a Physics badge have been added to the Scouts BSA Test Lab lineup. The Test Lab is a way for Scouts to try out potential new merit badge concepts.
Additionally, every merit badge pamphlet is now available for free online.
And earlier this year, the Scouts BSA team launched a new digital resource guide for earning merit badges.
“The organization is always looking at additional ways to utilize technology and provide digital resources for new merit badges,” Ehrlich says, “and we are currently working to determine the digital path forward for our other merit badges.”
Ehrlich notes that the digital resources do not replace the need for a real-life, human merit badge counselor.
For questions and suggestions on the merit badge process and future merit badge topics, shoot an email to merit.badge@scouting.org.
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