Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure for 2024

This for the 2024 program year Cub Scout updates. This is a preview and is not official information yet. This new program takes effect on June 1, 2024. See more details about the overall program updates here.

The Engineer adventure for Arrow of Light Cub Scouts is a fun and educational experience. It introduces Scouts to the world of engineering. This adventure helps Scouts understand how different types of engineers use science to design and build things. By exploring fields like civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, Scouts learn how these professionals solve problems and create products that help people.

This adventure is more than just learning about engineering. It’s about getting hands-on experience. Scouts pick an engineering field that interests them and dive deeper. They get to look at blueprints and see how engineers move from an idea to a plan. This practical exposure helps Scouts see the importance of careful planning and precision in building and designing.

By working on this adventure, Scouts also develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They choose a project and follow the engineering process to build it. This includes thinking of an idea, planning how to make it, building it, and then seeing how it works. This process teaches Scouts to learn from mistakes and to keep improving.

Overall, the Engineer adventure encourages curiosity and creativity. Scouts get to see how their interests in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can lead to exciting projects and even careers. This adventure is a great way for Scouts to work together, have fun, and learn important skills that they can use in the future.

Requirements for the Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure

Engineer Adventure Requirements

1. Learn the focus, related sciences, and products of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers.
2. Pick one of the engineering fields from requirement 1 to complete the following requirements. 
3. Examine a set of blueprints or specifications used by your choice of engineer.
4. Identify a project that you would like to build.
5. Using the engineering process, build your project. 

Resources for the Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure

Areas of Engineering

Requirement 1 for the Engineer adventure asks Arrow of Light Cub Scouts to learn about three types of engineers: civil, electrical, and mechanical. Here’s what each type focuses on:

• Civil Engineers: They focus on building structures and infrastructure. This includes things like roads, bridges, and buildings. They use physics and materials science to ensure these structures are safe and durable.
• Electrical Engineers: Their main focus is on electrical equipment and systems. This includes working with power supply systems, electronics like computers and phones, and even circuit boards. They use principles of electricity and electromagnetism to design and improve these products.
• Mechanical Engineers: They deal with machines and mechanical systems. This includes everything from engines and tools to air conditioners and refrigerators. They apply physics and materials science to design machines that are efficient and effective.

By exploring these areas, Scouts learn how different types of engineering impact our daily lives and how these professionals use science to create useful products.

What’s Your Interest?

For Requirement 2 of the Engineer adventure, here’s a simple way to help Arrow of Light Cub Scouts decide which type of engineering might interest them based on things they already like:

Civil Engineering:

• If you like building with blocks or LEGO, then you might like civil engineering.
• If you enjoy seeing how bridges and buildings are made, then you might like civil engineering.
• If you’re curious about roads and how they are laid out, then you might like civil engineering.

Electrical Engineering:

• If you like playing with electronic toys or gadgets, then you might like electrical engineering.
• If you’re interested in how lights work or setting up a light show, then you might like electrical engineering.
• If you enjoy figuring out how things like remote controls and video games work, then you might like electrical engineering.

Mechanical Engineering:

• If you love taking apart machines to see how they work, then you might like mechanical engineering.
• If you are fascinated by robots or how cars move, then you might like mechanical engineering.
• If you enjoy using tools and building things that move, then you might like mechanical engineering.

These comparisons can help Scouts connect their everyday interests to a field of engineering, making their choice more relatable and exciting.

See the Plans

For Requirement 3 of the Engineer adventure, Arrow of Light Cub Scouts need to examine blueprints or specifications used by the type of engineer they chose. Here are some creative ideas for how they can do this:

Civil Engineering:

• Visit a local construction site and ask the project manager to show you the blueprints of the building or bridge they are constructing.
• Contact your city’s public works department and see if they can share blueprints for a current road or park project.

Electrical Engineering:

• Visit an electronics repair shop and ask to see a schematic (a type of blueprint) for a common device like a radio or a small TV.
• Get a simple electronic kit from a hobby store that comes with a circuit diagram, which is similar to a blueprint for electrical engineers.

Mechanical Engineering:

• Visit a local mechanic and ask if you can see the blueprints for a car’s engine or another machine they repair.
• Check out a model building kit that includes detailed plans for constructing small engines or machines.

These activities help Scouts understand how engineers use blueprints and specifications to build or fix things. It also gives them a firsthand look at the detailed planning that goes into engineering projects.

Your Project

For Requirements 4 and 5 of the Engineer adventure, Arrow of Light Cub Scouts need to choose a project to build and then use the engineering process to create it. Here are some creative ideas for projects and how Scouts can build them:

Build a Model Bridge:

• Identify: Choose to build a model bridge out of popsicle sticks or straws.
• Plan: Draw a simple blueprint of the bridge design.
• Build: Use glue to assemble the materials according to the plan.
• Test: Place weights on the bridge to see how strong it is.

Create a Simple Circuit:

• Identify: Decide to make a circuit that lights up a bulb or spins a motor.
• Plan: Sketch the layout of the circuit, including where the battery, wires, and components go.
• Build: Connect the components using the diagram as a guide.
• Test: Attach the battery to see if the circuit works as expected.

Construct a Small Catapult:

• Identify: Choose to build a small catapult using craft sticks and rubber bands.
• Plan: Draw a simple plan showing how the sticks will be arranged.
• Build: Assemble the sticks and rubber bands to form the catapult.
• Test: Launch small objects to see how far they go.

These projects help Scouts apply the engineering process: identifying what they want to build, planning how to build it, constructing the project, and then testing to see if it works. This hands-on approach helps them learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure

What is the Engineer adventure?

The Engineer adventure teaches Scouts about different types of engineering. Scouts learn by doing projects and exploring how things are built or designed.

Who can work on the Engineer adventure?

This adventure is for Arrow of Light Cub Scouts, usually around 10 years old.

What do Scouts do in this adventure?

Scouts learn about civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. They choose one type, look at blueprints, pick a project, build it, and test it.

How do Scouts pick a project for this adventure?

Scouts choose a project based on the type of engineering they are most interested in. They can build models, create circuits, or construct other items that show how things work.

What will Scouts learn from completing this adventure?

Scouts learn about engineering, problem-solving, and the steps to take an idea and make it real. They also work on planning and building, which helps them understand how things are made.

Building the Future!

The Engineer adventure is a hands-on learning experience for Arrow of Light Cub Scouts. It introduces them to the exciting world of engineering. During this adventure, Scouts explore three main types of engineering: civil, electrical, and mechanical. They learn how each type of engineer uses science and creativity to solve problems and build things that make our lives better.

First, Scouts choose one of the engineering fields they are most interested in. This could be building structures, working with electricity, or creating machines. They look at real blueprints and diagrams that professionals use. This helps Scouts understand how engineers turn ideas into real-world projects.

Next, Scouts pick a project related to their chosen field of engineering. They go through the steps of planning, building, and testing their projects. This process teaches them the importance of careful planning and shows them how to learn from mistakes. By building their own project, Scouts get a real sense of accomplishment and see firsthand what it means to think and solve problems like an engineer.

In completing the Engineer adventure, Scouts gain valuable skills that go beyond just building things. They learn to think critically and work through challenges. This adventure is not just about learning what engineers do; it’s about developing the skills and confidence to tackle problems and create solutions. Through this adventure, Scouts truly begin to build their future, one project at a time.