Inventing Merit Badge with USPTO & HERL UPITT

This fall, the United States Patent & Trademark Office Eastern Regional Outreach Office is hosting an event for Scouts BSA youth and friends to earn the Inventing Merit Badge. 

This event will be held at the USPTO HQ in Alexandria, VA, and will include a tour of the National Inventor's Hall of Fame and the patent library. 
 

Class Overview

The live class on Novemeber 5th balances education with lab/shop tour time, so youth can gain insight into innovative, practical applications and the behind the scenes of inventing. Then, scouts will then develop their inventions on their own schedule (at home) over a month's time, ultimately presenting in a Inventing Showcase to complete the award. 
 

Event Schedule

Main Event: November 5th, 12:30 - 4 pm. In-person at USPTO Alexandria, VA

Asynchronous, post-requisite deadlines: Scouts inventing ideas due to counselors August 6. Scouts invention prototypes due to counselors August 20: 

Final Inventing Showcase: December 17th, 1-2pm. via ZOOM
Please note, that if you are unable to attend the December 10th virtual inventing showcase, that is okay - scouts may submit their work in advance in order to complete the badge!

In-Person Event Requirements and Details

Uniforms: SBSA may wear Class A uniform. 

Location: USPTO | 600 Dulany St, Alexandria, VA 22023

Covid-19 guidance:  At this time, masks are not required. We will follow the USPTO's guidance and update all registrants the week of the event if the policy changes.  

What to bring: pencil, merit badge workbook, water bottle

Parents and guardians: are welcomed to volunteer in your scouts session or elsewhere with the event. Please select your volunteer availability/preferences during registration or email stem@ncacbsa.org so we may plan accordingly. 

Registration Fee: $15 per scout for in-person class. This fee covers the event costs of tech licenses, printing, and awards.  If you or another scout requires financial assistance to attend, we have scholarships available. Please email stem@ncacbsa.org

Tentative Agenda for  Main event

November 5, 2022

12:30 – 1:00 Opening remarks & Intro to Inventing

1:00 – 2:00 The Impact of Invention and An Introduction to Intellectual Property 

2:00  – 3:30 Tours

3:30 - 4:00 Why do you invent

FAQ - FOR EVERYONE

When will I receive instructions from my Merit Badge Counselor?

Normally, you will receive your instructions from your Merit Badge Counselor 24 hours before class begins. Please check your junk mail, sometimes the email classifies the opt-in link email as junk mail.

How will I communicate with my MBC between the sessions?

We use Basecamp for asynchronous communication and review of merit badge requirements. We will send you a link inviting you to join the Basecamp - a forum for scouts to upload their workbooks, invention ideas, ask questions, etc. Youth Protection is applicable as no one-on-one communications are permissible in Basecamp; all MBCs communicate to scouts in this forum. 

How will I receive notice of completion?

We will issue completion letters (or partial completion letters) to you by email within a few weeks of the final session. These letters have been approved by our Council Advanacement Commitee for use in the MeritBadges@Home program and may be shown to your units to be entered into your advancement records. 

I'd like to get involved as a Merit Badge Counselor/volunteer. How can I connect?

Great! please email: stem@ncacbsa.org or call 240.395.0601

See here for photos of USPTO's past Inventing Merit Badge sessions : 

• https://weownadventure.com/uspto-invites-scouts-bsa-to-learn-about-inventing/
• https://weownadventure.com/scout-inventors-with-thanks-to-the-uspto/