Zoos & Scientists

Last Saturday after the AWANA Grand Prix, we went to the zoo with three of the kids. JSS was wanting to finish his Scientist Badge (see requirements below) by Monday, the last day to turn in accomplishments for the last Award Ceremony of the this school year.

Specifically, he was working on requirement #4, which has three requirements of it's own in order to earn! (It's a lot of work being a Cub Scout!)

Above: Up close with an alligator
Below: Dad was with us, so the kids spent
about 45 minutes in the aviary, a place
Mom does not venture unless under duress.
They LOVE it in there & JSS was able to talk
to one of the zookeepers about her job
working with the birds as well as
some hands-on experience.

Below: After the aviary, we visited an underground
zone, which is a favorite of COS. The zookeeper
for that area was actually in there, so JSS talked
to him about his job, as well, which led to...

...him inviting JSS and a parent to see behind-the-scenes
in his section of the zoo, which was almost exclusively
about repiles! JSS loved it!!! He got to touch and learn
about several species he's never had first-hand experience
with, as well as ask a lot of questions. In the end, at this
point JSS very much wants to do what this man does for
a living when he grows up! What a God-ordained experience
this trip to the zoo turned out to be!!

Scientist Badge Requirements

Do these:

1. Read Bernoulli's Principle. Show how it works.
2. Read Pascal's Law. Tell about some inventions that use Pascal's law.
3. Read Newton's first law of motion. Show in three different ways how inertia works.
4. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Science. (*see requirements at end of post)
   

And do six of these:

5. Show the effects of atmospheric pressure.
6. Show the effects of air pressure.
7. Show the effects of water pressure. This may be combined with atmospheric pressure or with air pressure.
8. With adult supervision, build and launch a model rocket. (NOTE: You must be at least 10 years old to work with a model rocket kit sold in stores.) Describe how Newton's third law of motion explains how the rocket is propelled into the sky.
9. Explain what causes fog. Show how this works.
10. Explain how crystals are formed. Make some.
11. Explain how you use your center of gravity to keep your balance. Show three different balancing tricks.
12. Show in three different ways how your eyes work together, and show what is meant by an optical illusion.
13. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Weather.
14. While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academics belt loop for Astronomy.

*Science Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1. Explain the scientific method to your adult partner.
2. Use the scientific method in a simple science project Explain the results to an adult.
3. Visit a museum, a laboratory, an observatory, a zoo, an aquarium, or other facility that employs scientists. Talk to a scientist about his or her work.