Scouts BSA
Boy Scouts of America STEM Program
If you’re not going camping this Memorial Day Weekend, come to the Museum of Science Fiction’s Escape Velocity conference. The program is offering free admission for all BSA members of all ages in uniform (Cub Scouts, Sea Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, and STEM Scouts in uniform also welcome).
In partnership with NASA, the Museum of Science Fiction is also offering Scouts BSA members a STEM program with 12 merit badge workshops that include activities that may satisfy specific requirements for several merit badges. Reserve your place early.
Please see below for badge workshop details. Please note that no merit badge counselors will be onsite for this event. Remember to check with your Scoutmaster for guidance on these and other merit badge programs prior to beginning.
Register for Escape Velocity
Escape Velocity 2019 will be held on May 24 – 26
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD 20745
(301) 965-4000 – room reservations
Washington DC’s National Harbor complex is across the Potomac River from historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Exit 2A on the Beltway
Room block: Escape Velocity
Get a room now!
Free Museum and NASA Patches for the first 500 Scouts
Boy Scout Program Trails
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- Explore the Universe – Learn about the sun, moon and stars and identify constellations. Contribute to a citizen science project in space science – hover for more information
- Explore Radioactivity – Use a Geiger counter to study the radioactivity of a sample of cesium-137 – hover for more information
- Explore Your Environment – Locate a geocache, and learn about basic photography with your smartphone – hover for more information
- ePlanetarium – click for more information
- Gaming – click for more information
- Daytime Solar Observation with sun spotting scopes – more information coming soon
- Night Astronomy and Lunar Observation – hover for more information
Merit badge workshops will provide scouts with activities to complete requirements for merit badge counselors to review and approve.
Merit Badge Workshops at Escape Velocity
Friday Afternoon
Click the REGISTER button above to reserve a spot.
- Astronomy – Learn about the planets in the night sky and study the moon while also participating in several citizen science activities. (Requirements 2, 5 and 6)
- Nuclear Science – Learn about radioactivity and safety. Use a Geiger counter and your smartphone to explore radiation dose and shielding principles. (Requirements 1 and 5)
Merit Badge Friday Night
Click the REGISTER button above to reserve a spot.
- Astronomy – Learn about the planets in the night sky and study the moon while also participating in several citizen science activities. (Requirements 2, 5 and 6)
Merit Badges Saturday Morning
Click the REGISTER button above to reserve a spot.
- Geocaching – Learn about the Global Positioning System, hunt for geocaches with your smartphone, and plan a geohunt. (Requirements 4, 7 and 9)
- Photography – Complete two requirements with smartphone photography and participate in a citizen science project too! (Requirements 5 and 6)
Merit Badges Saturday Afternoon
Click the REGISTER button above to reserve a spot.
- Astronomy – Learn about the planets in the night sky and study the moon while also participating in several citizen science activities. (Requirements 2, 5 and 6)
- Nuclear Science – Learn about radioactivity and safety. Use a Geiger counter and your smartphone to explore radiation dose and shielding principles. (Requirements 1 and 5)
Merit Badge Saturday Night
Click the REGISTER button above to reserve a spot.
- Astronomy – Learn about the planets in the night sky and study the moon while also participating in several citizen science activities. (Requirements 2, 5 and 6)
Merit Badges Sunday Morning
Click the REGISTER button above to reserve a spot.
- Geocaching – Learn about the Global Positioning System, hunt for geocaches with your smartphone, and plan a geohunt. (Requirements 4, 7 and 9)
- Photography – Complete two requirements with smartphone photography and participate in a citizen science project too! (Requirements 5 and 6)
Merit Badges Sunday Afternoon
Click the REGISTER button above to reserve a spot.
- Astronomy – Learn about the planets in the night sky and study the moon while also participating in several citizen science activities. (Requirements 2, 5 and 6)
- Nuclear Science – Learn about radioactivity and safety. Use a Geiger counter and your smartphone to explore radiation dose and shielding principles. (Requirements 1 and 5)