BSA Takes STEM Out Of The Lab And Into Nature's Biggest Classroom At The 2017 National Jamboree

MOUNT HOPE, W.Va., July 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is giving more than 40,000 Scouts, Venturers and Explorers a classroom encompassing 14,000 acres by offering unique STEM experiences at the 2017 National Jamboree. Taking place through July 28, the National Jamboree is filled with opportunities to learn and test STEM skills by exploring the science behind adventure and experiencing the newly expanded STEM Quest area.

"The National Jamboree is the perfect opportunity to combine adventure and STEM to give young people hands-on experiences that are both fun and educational," said April McMillan, National Director of STEM Programs for the Boy Scouts of America. "From learning the science behind the high-adventure activities at the Jamboree to interactive activities at the STEM Quest area, STEM will be a core element of the 10-day event in the hopes that youth return home with a greater interest to learn more about these fields."

The STEM Quest area encompasses broad areas of science and technology, hitting on topics such as robotics, engineering, forensics and renewable energy. Exhibits, made possible by the BSA's partners, include:

    --  NASA / FIRST: NASA and FIRST are giving hands-on training for Scouts
        looking for a jumpstart on their robotics merit badge. Participants are
        learning to program LEGO robots to complete missions to Mars and get
        up-close with some experimental robots courtesy of NASA. NASA is
        preparing Scouts for the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse and has its Journey
        to Tomorrow traveling exhibit on display for the week, immersing Scouts
        in an out-of-this-world interactive experience.
    --  Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS): CASIS, manager
        of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, is
        providing hands-on STEM activities geared toward Scouts, including
        launching a CanSat high-altitude balloon 100,000 feet above the Jamboree
        site. The satellite was designed, launched and retrieved for data
        analysis by Scouts participating in the CASIS Space Station Explorers
        program within STEM Quest.
    --  Cognizant's Innovation Hub: A unique making experience with an
        opportunity to earn a maker patch is available for Scouts to learn how
        innovation and technology can be used to create sustainable solutions to
        real world problems.
    --  The MOVE Project: The mobile emergency relief program is demonstrating
        how technology is used to assist victims of natural disasters.
    --  United States Air Force: The USAF STEM Team is working with youth in
        building cipher tools to write and decode secret messages while learning
        about cryptography, encryption and deciphering. They are using GPS to
        communicate with satellites and find hidden treasures around the STEM
        Quest site.
    --  US Army Corps of Engineers: The Corps is hosting a watershed station
        that provides highly interactive environments for exploration of key
        skills.
    --  West Virginia University: West Virginia University is offering 10
        forensic science learning activities representing six areas of forensic
        science to STEM Quest. Scouts have the opportunity to engage in
        cutting-edge forensic science technology related to fingerprints, blood
        spatter, firearms, footwear, biometrics, and ALS (alternative light
        source) evidence detection.
    --  Clay Center: The Clay Center is featuring an innovative mobile exhibit
        that explores the science behind the gas industry. Participants use
        interactive games and activities to understand the extraction of natural
        gas, the engineering and technology of processing it and the many uses
        of this important natural resource.
    --  American Welding Society and Lincoln Electric: The American Welding
        Society and Lincoln Electric is demonstrating the exciting world of
        welding inside the Welding Trailer. Participants learn about the science
        of welding through hands-on activities and get a unique virtual reality
        experience that will simulate two welding processes.
    --  University of Charleston School of Pharmacy: The University of
        Charleston School of Pharmacy is featuring opportunities to learn how to
        help fellow Scouts who face an allergy or asthma attack. Scouts view a
        simulation mannequin having a reaction to a bee sting or asthma attack
        and race each other at a quick recall station and more.

Returning to the Jamboree in 2017 is the opportunity for youth to earn an award for exploration in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Jamboree NOVA award is available for youth who explore fields of focus such as constellations, alternative energy sources, conservation, engineering of bridges, flood control and more.

Jamboree events focused on inspiring future STEM professionals are complemented as the BSA's Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is given to Gregory H. Johnson, two-time NASA space shuttle pilot and CASIS President and Executive Director. This award goes to Eagle Scouts who have achieved extraordinary recognition within their fields and have given back to their communities.

"This honor means a great deal to me," Johnson said. "The Boy Scouts of America played a big role in my life, and it's wonderful to see young people inspired and their STEM skills increased because of the organization."

STEM is an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America's program, taking every opportunity to encourage the natural curiosity of youth members and their sense of wonder about these fields. "Fostering a strong STEM education is our organization's best opportunity to boost the spirit of innovation and another way we're helping all Scouts be prepared for life," added McMillan.

More information about the National Jamboree can be found on Scouting Newsroom. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit BeAScout.org.

VIDEO: Watch Scouts explore the adventures of STEM Quest: https://www.flickr.com/photos/boyscoutsofamerica/36077075985/

Photos and videos should be credited as "Photo courtesy of Boy Scouts of America," "Video courtesy of Boy Scouts of America," or "Photo: Boy Scouts of America," "Video: Boy Scouts of America."

About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be "Prepared. For Life.®" The Scouting organization is composed of nearly 2.3 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21 and approximately 960,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

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SOURCE Boy Scouts of America