Energy Merit Badge

Introduction

The Energy Merit Badge is all about understanding how energy works and how it affects our daily lives. You'll learn about different types of energy, how it's generated, and how we can use it more efficiently.

Merit Badge Requirements

1. Define energy. Explain how the use of energy has influenced the course of human history.
2. Do the following:
   1. Explain to your counselor how energy exists in nature in each of the following forms: light, heat, sound, electrical, atomic, and magnetic.
   2. Explain how one of these forms of energy is used in your area.
3. Do the following:
   1. Explain to your counselor how energy is measured in food and in liquid fuels.
   2. Identify two ways in which energy is measured other than those described in requirement 3a, and explain how they are measured.
4. Do the following:
   1. Explain what is meant by a "nonrenewable energy source" and a "renewable energy source".
   2. Make a list of 10 examples of each.
   3. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using nonrenewable and renewable energy sources.
5. Do the following:
   1. Explain what is meant by "energy efficiency".
   2. Explain how using (1) a smart-grid technology and (2) a hybrid vehicle reduces the use of energy.
6. Find out about three career opportunities in energy. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

Lesson

Hey there, scouts! Today we're going to learn all about energy. So, what is energy? Well, energy is the ability to do work. It's what makes things happen. For example, when you turn on a light switch, you're using energy to make the light turn on.

Now, let's talk about the different types of energy. There's light energy, which comes from the sun and is used to power solar panels. There's heat energy, which is used to warm our homes and cook our food. There's sound energy, which is what allows us to hear music and talk to each other. There's electrical energy, which powers our electronics. There's atomic energy, which is used in nuclear power plants. And finally, there's magnetic energy, which is used in things like MRI machines.

So, why is energy important? Well, it's what allows us to do everything we do. Without energy, we wouldn't be able to drive our cars, use our phones, or even turn on the lights. But, we need to be careful about how we use energy. Some types of energy, like fossil fuels, are nonrenewable, which means we'll run out of them eventually. That's why it's important to use renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, whenever possible.

Now, let's talk about energy efficiency. This is all about using energy in the most efficient way possible. For example, using a smart-grid technology can help us use energy more efficiently by automatically adjusting the amount of energy we use based on the time of day. And, using a hybrid vehicle can help us use less gas by using both gas and electricity to power the car.

So, what did we learn today? We learned about the different types of energy, why energy is important, and how we can use it more efficiently. Now, it's time for some questions!

Questions

• What is energy?
• What are the different types of energy?
• Why is energy important?
• What are some renewable energy sources?
• What is energy efficiency?

Remember, if you have any more questions, be sure to ask your merit badge counselor. They're there to help you learn and grow. Good luck on earning your Energy Merit Badge!

Schedule

Week	Requirements
1	Requirements 1 and 2a
2	Requirements 2b and 3a
3	Requirements 3b and 4a
4	Requirements 4b and 4c
5	Requirement 5
6	Requirement 6