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 camp-site 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, 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.