Merit Badge University @ WVU
14th Annual Merit Badge University
at West Virginia University
Merit Badge University is an opportunity for Scouts BSA members to work on an array of merit badges taught by professors and professionals of West Virginia's flagship institution. Classes are taught throughout the day, and if prerequisites are met, Scouts typically can complete an entire merit badge (or two) in one day while being taught by experts in the field!
WHEN: Saturday, March 1, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE!
NOTE: ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS FROM THE 2024 EVENT. INFORMATION FOR THE 2025 EVENT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY 2025.
WHERE: Classes will be held on the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown. This year's check-in and check-out location for all badges is the WVU Mountainlair, located on the downtown campus. A pin of the location can be found here.
SCHEDULE:
8:15 - 9:00AM Check-in on 2nd floor of WVU Mountainlair, Mountainlair Ballrooms. All Scouts must be physically signed in by an adult responsible for them.
12:30 PM Check-out on 2nd floor of WVU Mountainlair, Mountainlair Ballrooms for any Scout taking ONLY a morning class.
12:30 - 1:00 PM Check-in on 2nd floor of WVU Mountainlair, Mountainlair Ballrooms for any Scout taking a ONLY an afternoon class.
4:30 - 5:00PM Check-out on 2nd floor of WVU Mountainlair, Mountainlair Ballrooms. All Scouts must be physically signed out by an adult responsible for them.
NOTE: Check-in will NOT be available prior to 8:15AM. Please remain with your Scout until check-in is completed by the MBU staff.
NOTE: All Scouts will be led to and from their classroom locations. Some classrooms are located inside the Mountainlair. Some classrooms are located on the downtown campus, while some are located on the Evansdale or Health Sciences campus (across town). Scouts may need to travel via WVU's above-ground Personal Rapid Transit system. Scouts will always be supervised while in the classrooms, and during transit. Scouts taking a morning class and a separate afternoon class will be led to and from their classrooms.
REGISTRATION: will open JANUARY 22 at 6:00PM. Registration closes on February 15, 2024 at 5:00PM.
Note: A BSA-registered adult Scouter will be needed in each of the classrooms, as well as to help with check-in and check-out. Please register as "adult staff." Amy Garbrick will follow-up with all Scouter volunteers.
COST: $25 per Scout; includes all program materials and 2024 event patch. Registrations are non-transferable.
SESSION FOR PARENTS! Join us for a fun and informative session to prepare your family for life’s next adventure – college!
- 3:00 - 4:00PM, Mountainlair, Gluck Theater. Registration is not required.
- Lisa Hanselman is a parent of two WVU students and leads the Mountaineer Parents Club - an organization that supports parents of WVU students, helping to keep parents connected to their students. Wherever your child may be interested in attending college (hopefully at WVU, but this session is open to all!), Lisa has a wealth of knowledge on how to help prepare your student as well as yourself for this transitional time. This is a great opportunity to help plan and prepare for the future! Her talk will last approximately 30 minutes and is followed by an open question format for the remaining time.
2024 Merit Badges to be offered:
(registration opens Monday, January 22 at 6:00PM)
|
MERIT BADGE |
TIME |
PRE-REQS
|
| Aviation Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Read pamphlet |
| Chemistry |
8:15 - 4:30 |
4(a) Cut a round onion into small chunks. Separate the onion chunks into three equal portions. Leave the first portion raw. Cook the second portion of onion chunks until the pieces are translucent. Cook the third portion until the onions are caramelized, or brown in color. Taste each type of onion. Describe the taste of raw onion versus partially cooked onion versus caramelized onion. Explain what happens to molecules in the onion during the cooking process. 4(b) Describe the chemical similarities and differences between toothpaste and an abrasive household cleanser. Explain how the end use or purpose of a product affects its chemical formulation. 6(a) Name two government agencies that are responsible for tracking the use of chemicals for commercial or industrial use. Pick one agency and briefly describe its responsibilities. |
| Chess (morning class for beginners OR afternoon for experienced chess players) |
8:15 - 12:30 |
Read pamphlet |
| Citizenship in Society- Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 4:30 |
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the subject matter of this merit badge, and at the request of West Virginia University merit badge counselors, only Scouts ages 14 and older will be permitted to register for this badge. Following the BSA's guidelines for the merit badge, the total class will be split into small groups for discussion with teams of counselors from WVU's Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Pre-reqs: |
|
Citizenship in the |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Read the Constitution of the United States of America and its Amendments. Carefully read all badge requirements and be prepared to discuss what you have researched to fulfill the requirements. It is highly suggested that Scouts prepare a written response to the following requirements: #3 #5 (note this one requires watching for 5 days) #6 #7 #8 Pre-class preparation including written responses improves the Scout’s chances to pass the Citizenship in the Nation badge on the day of Merit Badge University. |
| Composite Materials Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 4:30 |
4b; read pamphlet |
| Crime Prevention (morning OR afternoon) |
8:15 - 12:30 |
2; 4a, 4b;5; read pamphlet |
| Energy | 8:15 - 4:30 |
Read pamphlet. Requirement #4 (14-day log) |
| Engineering | 8:15 - 4:30 |
Read pamphlet. Requirements #2 and #5 |
| Entrepreneurship (afternoon only) |
12:30 - 4:30 | Read pamphlet |
| Environmental Science Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Click here for prerequisites. Please reach out to the merit badge counselor listed on the attachment with any questions. (Scouts may find it helpful to use this workbook, but are not required to.) |
| Fingerprinting (morning only) Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 12:30 |
|
| First Aid Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Read pamphlet. |
|
Healthcare Professions NEW for 2024! |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Click here for pre-requisites. |
| Journalism (morning only) |
8:15 - 12:30 |
4a: Bring the two stories you wrote, one chronological, one inverted-pyramid, covering the same event (about 200 words each). |
|
Law |
12:30 - 4:30 | Read pamphlet/ Scouts taking this badge will be transported to the WVU College of Law courtroom via WVU employee-driven vans. Please print and sign permission form found here. |
| Mining in Society Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Will be going off campus in a van to a mine site; bring signed parent/guardian release; watch three videos below prior to class: NOTE: The mine requires everyone to wear BOOTS. Tennis shoes are not permitted. Bring signed permission form found here. |
| Robotics Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Read pamphlet; the class will use a software called "Lego Mindstorms EV3." The instructor will bring a few laptops with the software pre-loaded. If any Scout wishes to bring a laptop with this free program already downloaded, the link is: https://education.lego.com/en-us/downloads/mindstorms-ev3/software#downloads. It is not required to bring a laptop. |
|
Space Exploration |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Task 2 - Design a collector’s card, with a picture on the front and information on the back, about your favorite space pioneer. Size may vary from a 3x5 postcard to a 8.5x11 sheet of paper Task 5b - Using magazine photographs, news clippings, and electronic articles (such as from the internet), make a scrapbook about a current planetary mission. Scrapbook should be 2-3 pages of 8.5x11 paper to 12x12 paper. We plan to cover the remaining material during WVU MBU. Students are invited to bring their own Estes (model) rocket to fly on maximum of C motor. (not required, but invited) Students are invited to bring their own motors, no larger than C motor. (not required, but invited) If any additional Badge Task Requirements have been completed before Feb. 25, students need to bring documentation and/or video of launches of completed tasks. Students are encouraged to bring their own model rocket payload for launch. Payload can be no larger than a standard chicken egg. |
| Sustainability Class is full. Registration closed. |
8:15 - 4:30 |
Read pamphlet. Come prepared to spend 2 hours outside in the weather forecasted for Morgantown, WV on February 24. |
OPTIONAL: For an additional $6 per person, all Scouts participating in MBU (as well as Scout families) will have the option to utilize the WVU Student Rec Center from 5:00 - 9:00PM on Saturday, February 24. Participants will have access to:
- Climbing wall, basketball courts, badminton courts, ping pong, racquetball and squash. Note: does not include use of the pool.
- Scouts wishing to use the WVU Rec Center after MBU may pay the $6 at the Rec Center. Reservation is not needed.
- Click here for directions to the WVU Student Rec Center.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Prior to completing this registration, Scouts should meet with their unit leaders.
UNIFORM: All participants should wear a full BSA field uniform ("Class A") or its equivalent for their group.
TO BRING:
- Pen and notebook/paper to take notes during merit badge classes and activities
- Documentation of any prerequisite completion and a copy of the merit badge pamphlet
- All Scouts registered for a full day must bring a lunch
- Bottled water
PRIOR TO MBU: Complete prerequisite requirements (listed above) and bring proof of completion to MBU. Obtain and read a copy of the BSA's merit badge pamphlet for your assigned merit badge(s).
BLUE CARDS / ADVANCEMENT RECORDS: Physical blue cards or "blue sheets" will NOT be used. One week following Merit Badge University, Scout advancement records will be available electronically using the registration confirmation email.
EVENT SPONSORSHIP: Merit Badge University is conducted in partnership with West Virginia University and Mountaineer Area Council.
CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY:
- In the event a merit badge session is canceled, a full refund will be issued to those registered.
- In the event that the Scout is no longer able to attend:
- a partial refund of $20 will be issued if a cancellation email is sent to info@macbsa.org by Monday, February 12 and if the spot can be filled by another Scout
- no refunds will be issued for cancellations after Monday, February 12.
Map of Event
