Nuclear Science Merit Badge Workshop 2025

Presented by the PSU RSEC & The Penn State American Nuclear Society

We will be offering a morning workshop session from 9:00am to 1:00pm that will allow Scouts who complete the prerequisite requirements to earn NUCLEAR SCIENCE merit badge. 

ABOUT PENN STATE RSEC:

The Radiation Science & Engineering Center (RSEC) was established to manage Penn State's comprehensive nuclear research facilities, including the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor, Gamma Irradiation Facility, Radioactive sources and Radiation measurement resources. The RESC provides safe nuclear analytical and testing facilities in support of the research and education activities of faculty, staff, and students at Penn State. The Center's resources are also available to users from other universities and educational institutions, governmental agencies, and corporations as part of the public service functions of the Penn StateUniversity, symbolized by its status as the Land Grant Institution of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The RSEC facilities, most of which are housed in the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor Building, are some of the most unique and flexible in the country

PREREQUISITES: Scouts wishing to earn the merit badge on April 12th should come with as much of the Nuclear Science MB Booklet found in the ATTACHMENT Section completed as possible.

SUPERVISION:

Penn State’s official policy for programs involving minors on-campus requires that a minimum of 2 adult chaperones from the attending organization must be present at all times, regardless of the number of minors present, and appropriate ratios of adults to minors must be maintained as outlined below:

• Standards for non-residential camps and programs are:
  • One adult chaperone for every ten participants ages 9 to 14
  • One adult chaperone for every twelve participants ages 15 to 17
• All individuals who interact with, supervise, chaperone or otherwise oversee minors must be in compliance with relevant background clearance requirements for interacting with children in Pennsylvania.
• If a Unit is unable to provide Adult leadership coverage for one of their Scouts attending, please contact us to see if other BSA registered adults attending would be willing to provide coverage under the Provisional Scouter guidelines

ATTIRE: Scouts are encouraged to wear their Class-A uniform

WHAT TO BRING: 

• Completed Nuclear Science MB Booklet
• Photo IDs for adults attending: these will be checked at the gate to ensure that chaperones are on this list and match up with who they say they are. We'll also need this information for our reporting statistics to the regulatory commission for visitor radiation exposure.

CHECK-IN:

Scouts and Adults attending should check-in at the Breazeale Reactor Building Gate before 9:00am.

COST: There is a $5.00 fee to attend this merit badge workshop, space is limited to 75 total individuals.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, April 7 (no walk-ins)

PLEASE NOTE: food or drinks will NOT be provided or allowed in the facility