Orginial Computer Merit Badge

[Mr.Mal]

I am looking for a copy of the requirments for the orginial Computer Merit Badge

 

Can anyone help me or post them?

 

Thanks

 

John

[Oak Tree]

The computer merit badge appears to have been introduced in 1967, according to wikipedia. I have the 1978 requirements, and I don't know how much, if any, they differ from the 1967 requirements.

 

The 1978 version does include this requirement that would probably stump most of today's computer scientists (without any access to reference material): Explain the Hollerith code. Show how your name and address would be punched on a card.

 

Oak Tree

[epalmer84]

I taught Computer merit badge in the 70s and 80s. I seem to recall that you had to build a circuit as well.

 

We have a bunch of old merit badge pamphlets in our quartermaster, but I don't think there are any that old. You might try eBay- I collect BSA first aid kits and First Aid merit badges. I found all but the very first of the First Aid merit badge pamphlets.

 

Ed

 

(looks at punch cards and punched tape on display shelf, right beside Civil Defense manuals)

[Mr.Mal]

When I took it in the late 60's, I remember that it was sponsered by the "Social Security Administration", near Baltimore, MD.

I believe that you had a choice on what to build. Either a small working model of a digital computer, or what I built was a small model of an Analog computer using voltmeters.

 

I just want to show the Scouts of today who complain about how "hard" Computers Merit Badge is what the first one was.

 

Also, I just want to see the requirements. (my memory seems to have lost a "bit"...or was that a nibble)?

 

Thanks,

 

John

 

 

[oldsm]

"We have a bunch of old merit badge pamphlets in our quartermaster, but I don't think there are any that old."

 

Don't you let your quartermaster have any real food? I hope they were tasty!

[Oak Tree]

Here are the 1977/78 requirements.

 

1. Do the following:

(a) Give a short history of computers. Describe the major parts of a computer system. Give four different uses of computers.

(b) Describe the difference between analog and digital computers. Tell the use of each.

© Explain some differences between special- and general-purpose machines.

2. Do the following:

(a) Tell what a program is and how it is developed.

(b) Explain the difference between an assembler and a compiler. Tell where each might be used. Describe a source and an object program.

© Use a flowchart diagram to show the steps needed to set up a camp.

3. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Prepare flowcharts to find out the average attendance and dues paid at the last five troop meetings.

(b) Prepare flowcharts to work out a simple arithmetic problem. Explain to your counselor how this program could be stored in a computer. Tell how it could be used again.

4. Do the following:

(a) Name four input-output devices for computers. Explain the use of two of them in a system.

(b) Explain the Hollerith code. Show how your name and address would be punched on a card.

5. Tell the meaning of SIX of the following:

(a) memory

(b) bits

© on-line

(d) bytes

(e) microsecond

(f) address

(g) channel

(h) interrupt

(i) register

(j) console

(k) central processing unit

6. Tell the meaning and use of TWELVE of the following:

(a) business data processing

(b) information retrieval

© simulation

(d) scientific processing

(e) floating point

(f) truncation

(g) fixed point

(h) accuracy

(i) input

(j) record

(k) output

(l) file

(m) software

(n) instruction

(o) hardware

(p) indexing

(q) loop

® subroutine

(s) real time

(t) time sharing

(u) cybernetics

7. Visit a computer installation. Study how it works.

(a) Explain what each of the following does:

design engineer

customer engineer

programmer

analyst

operator

salesman

(b) Read two pieces of information about computers. Describe what you read.

© Describe jobs in the computer field.

 

Oak Tree

[Mr.Mal]

Thanks,

It sure does look just a bit (or is that a byte) different than today's requirments.

 

Thanks again,

 

John

[SSScout]

COBOL< WITRAN< FORTRAN< BASIC< IF/THAN< GOTO< JACQUARD

[Be_Prepared]

Here are the orignal requirements

 

Computers

 

Tell what computers are and briefly describe their history. Tell what data processing is, and how it is used.

 

Name the four major components of a computer system, and describe the function of one component in detail.

 

Build a simple model of one of the following that will help you to illustrate and explain its function in detail - core storage, drum storage, or disk storage.

 

Describe the differences and uses of analog and digital computers.

 

Explain the Hollerith and Powers codes, and their roles in computers.

 

Obtain your local post office Zip code and convert it to binary.

 

Using the flow-chart diagram method, show the steps necessary in setting up a campsite.

 

Name four different uses of computers in business.

 

Convert your full name to each of the following codes - Hollerith, binary-coded decimal, and eight-channel standard code.

 

Be able to tell your Merit Badge Counselor in your own words the meaning of the following: functional units, storage, input and output devices, random access, on-line system, central processing unit, magnetic ink character, information retrieval, solid-state components, nanosecond, stored program, console, optical reader, and register.

 

Do any two of the following:

- Arrange with your Counselor to visit a local computer installation

- Obtain and read two pieces of information about data processing other than the manufacture's literature. Summarize what you read for the Counselor.

- Write a 500-word report on the various types of specialist occupations available in the data-processing field. Include educational requirements and average wage brackets when possible.

- Show your Counselor five examples of data-processing output, or tape, cards, or report form used.

 

Do the following:

- Construct an analog adder and explain its operation.

Construct a card reader, demonstrate it to your Counselor, and explain to him the difference between the Hollerith code and the internal machine code.

 

[swedell]

here's a link to a pdf of original Computer Merit Badge - http://markw.us/files/BSA_Computers_1969.pdf

FYI - I received the first Computer Merit Badge at a DPMA conference in Washington, DC June 1968. You can google "boys life wedell computer" to see an article in the Dec 1968 magazine about the event.

[qwazse]

Thanks. I'll share that with our boys!

 

My observations:

The current merit badge covers the ethics of copyright infringement.

Flowcharting campsite set-up is not a requirement for the current Computers or Robotics MB. [insert Kudu's 21's Century Woodbadge Rant Here.]

(This message has been edited by qwazse)

[Engineer61]

Microsecond - have used those time units in a long time! {pun}