Computers Merit Badge Requirements

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

2. Do the following:

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

b. Give three examples of programming languages and what types of programming they are used for.

c. Describe a source program and an object program.

3. Show how the following may be stored in computer memory: text, numbers, pictures, and sound.

4. Do THREE of the following:

a. Use a database manager to create a troop roster, providing name, rank, patrol, and telephone number of each Scout. Sort the register by rank, by patrol, and alphabetically by name.

b. Use a spreadsheet program to develop a weekend campout food budget for your patrol.

c. Use a word processor to write a letter to parents of your troop’s Scouts, inviting them to a court of honor. Use the mail merge feature to make a personalized copy of the letter for each family.

d. Use a computer graphics program to design and draw a campsite plan for your troop.

5. Do TWO of the following:

a. Visit a business or industry that uses computers. Study what the computer accomplishes and be prepared to discuss what you observed.

b. Use a computer attached to a local area network or equipped with a modem to connect to a computer network or bulletin-board service such as Prodigy, CompuServe, or America Online. Send a message to someone on the network or download a program or file from the network.

c. Use a general-purpose programming language to write a program application of your choice, subject to approval by your counselor.

6. Be prepared to discuss several terms used in each of the following categories:

a. Input/output devices

b. Storage Media

c. Memory

d. Processors and co-processors

e. Modems

f. Networks

g. Electronic Mail

h. Robotics

7. Be prepared to discuss various jobs in the computer field.

8. Is it permissible to accept a free copy of a computer game or program from a friend? Why or why not?

9. Describe several ways in which you and your family could use a personal computer other than for games and recreation.