Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure for 2024

Printable requirements for the Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure

Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure

Arrow of Light Badge Checkoff Sheet

What’s Your Interest?

Pick one of the engineering fields from requirement 1 to complete the following requirements.

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.

Here is an option for fulfilling Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure requirement 2:

• Time to Choose
  • Cub Scouts decide as a den which engineering field to focus on.
  • Supplies: paper, pencils
  • indoor, very low energy, minimal prep

See the Plans

Examine a set of blueprints or specifications used by your choice of engineer.

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.

Here are some options for fulfilling Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure requirement 3:

• Community Blueprint
  • Examine a set of blueprints for a community building.
  • Supplies: blueprint from town or city, computers or smart devices
  • indoor, very low energy, more than a week prep
• Engineer Blueprint
  • Examine a set of blueprints from an engineer.
  • Supplies: blueprints from an engineer
  • indoor, very low energy, 3 to 5 days prep
• Historical Blueprint
  • Examine a set of blueprints at a historical archive.
  • Supplies: Activity Consent Form
  • requires travel, very low energy, 3 to 5 days prep

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

4. Identify a project that you would like to build.
5. Using the engineering process, build 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.

Here is an option for fulfilling Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure requirement 4 :

• Select an Engineering Project
  • Cub Scouts pick a project to build.
  • Supplies:
  • indoor, very low energy, minimal prep

Here is an option for fulfilling Arrow of Light Engineer Adventure requirement 5 :

• Paper Roller Coaster Project
  • Cub Scouts build a paper roller coaster.
  • Supplies: sturdy piece of cardboard, construction paper, pencils, rulers, marbles, Roller Coaster Blueprint, tape, scissors,
  • indoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Table Project
  • Cub Scouts build a display table.
  • Supplies: boards, screws, nails, Table Blueprint, handsaws, hammers, sandpaper, screwdrivers, measuring tape, pencils, carpenter’s squares, wood glue, drill and drill bits, working gloves, eye protection, closed toed shoes, respirator masks, first aid kit, paint or stain, brushes
  • indoor, moderate energy, more than one week prep
• Yogurt Cup Speaker Project
  • Cub Scouts build speakers from a yogurt cup.
  • Supplies: magnets, wire, small plastic cups, batteries, sandpaper, electrical tape, ruler, radio with detachable speakers and 20W or more output, Yogurt Speaker Blueprint 
  • indoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep

Before any activity, check the SAFE Checklist to make sure everyone is safe. Everyone involved in Scouting America activities should know the Guide to Safe Scouting and other relevant guides or books. Also follow any state or local rules that are more strict than Scouting America rules and guidelines.

Before starting this Adventure, complete the following:

• Review Age Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities before beginning a project.
• Cub Scouts can use common craft tools like paintbrushes, scissors, hammers, and screwdrivers.
• Ensure all youth and adults know how to properly use the tools for the project.
• Review Digital Safety and Online Scouting Activities.

During the Adventure:

• Allow time to train everyone on proper tool use.
• Provide continuous, qualified adult supervision during the project.
• Follow all manufacturer’s instructions and age and skill restrictions. If there is a conflict, follow the strictest guidelines.

More information

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.