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Electronics Merit Badge*

*Merit Badges® and Scouts® are registered trademarks owned by Boy Scouts of America.

The Electronics Merit Badge course is taught in conjunction with Intro to Electrical Engineering and is open to everyone! You don't have to be in Scouts to enjoy this fun and informative course about electronics.

Please refer to the report guide for the procedure for obtaining the badge (do not bring your blue card to class):

Download Techsplorers Electronics Merit Badge Report Guide
Download Official BSA Electronics Merit Badge Workbook

Badge Requirements

Click here to find the most current version of the BSA merit badge requirements.

  1. Describe the safety precautions you must exercise when using, building, altering, or repairing electronic devices.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Draw a simple schematic diagram. It must show resistors, capacitors, and transistors or integrated circuits, Use the correct symbols. Label all parts.
    2. Tell the purpose of each part.
  3. Do the following:
    1. Show the right way to solder and desolder.
    2. Show how to avoid heat damage to electronic components.
    3. Tell about the function of a printed circuit board. Tell what precautions should be observed when soldering printed circuit boards.
  4. Do the following:
    1. Discuss each of the following with your merit badge counselor:
      1. How to use electronics for a control purpose
      2. The basic principles of digital techniques
      3. How to use electronics for three different audio applications
    2. Show how to change three decimal numbers into binary numbers and three binary numbers into decimal numbers.
    3. Choose ONE of the following three projects. For your project, find or create a schematic diagram. To the best of your ability, explain to your counselor how the circuit you built operates.
      1. A control device
      2. A digital circuit
      3. An audio circuit
  5. Do the following:
    1. Show how to solve a simple problem involving current, voltage, and resistance using Ohm's law.
    2. Tell about the need for and the use of test equipment in electronics. Name three types of test equipment. Tell how they operate.
  6. Find out about three career opportunities in electronics that interest you. Discuss with and explain to your counselor what training and education are needed for each position.