Scout Engineering Badge in Natural Gas and Oil

Engineers are essential to the natural gas and oil industry! Almost every aspect of this industry involves engineers and problem-solving skills—from finding the natural gas and oil deposits, to drilling into rock formations, then bringing it to the surface and getting it to refineries where it begins the process of becoming a product!

Engineers use math, physics, geology, chemistry and many other disciplines to provide this important natural resource to consumers. Do you have what it takes to be an engineer?

By the time you complete all of these activities, you will have fulfilled the requirements needed to receive the BSA Engineering Badge. Talk to your local organization and BSA leaders to see how you can use these activities to get your badge and learn all about engineering in the natural gas and oil industry!

About this project

In 2012, the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program and the Great Trail Council, BSA met together to discuss a mutual challenge—OOGEEP was trying to interest young people in engineering careers in their industry and the BSA Council was trying to develop career interests in scouts while offering them different badges. A partnership was “engineered”! With assistance from a Dominion grant, the OOGEEP Engineering Badge was designed using OOGEEP resources. Activities were designed that fit the requirements of the existing engineering badge, but required scouts to dig deeper into how engineers are needed in Ohio’s natural gas and oil industry. OOGEEP invested in iPads so that campers could explore the well information on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ website, look at google maps, create videos, and explore careers. OOGEEP provided Blast Cars, electrical kits, and PVC pipe kits so that campers could meet the requirements of the engineering badge. At this time, close to 1000 scouts have completed the OOGEEP Engineering badge at three summer camps in Ohio: Manatoc, Muskingum Valley, and Fort Steuben.

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1 Define “engineering”

What do engineers do? Sometimes people say, “They drive trains!” But engineers do a lot of different things in the natural gas and oil industry.

Print out Lesson #1, play the matching game and watch the videos while considering what engineers do in each of these areas:

Note: Links to come.

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2 Select an engineering achievement that has had a major impact on the natural gas and oil industry

Check out these online resources and learn about these innovations in the natural gas and oil industry.

Share what you have learned on a poster or create a video. Print out Lesson #2 to design a storyboard plan for your poster or video.

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3 Investigate different types of engineers

Is an engineering career in your future? Choose two of these videos that look interesting. Print out Lesson #3, fill in the chart, and then create a one-minute video of your own to share with your counselors that starts with the words: “The natural gas and oil industry needs engineers. One type of engineer who works in the natural gas and oil industry is _____.”

Chemical engineers

Facility engineer

Petroleum engineer

Engineering technician

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4 Visit with an engineer

Print out Lesson #4 and prepare 5 questions that you would like to ask an engineer. If you know an engineer, see if you can get an interview scheduled! If not, then watch this video and see if you get your questions answered.

What kinds of problems do you solve for the natural gas and oil industry?

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5 Use the problem-solving approach to do the Pipeline Challenge

Want to make a model pipeline? Here's what you'll need:

Ask your local hardware store to cut PVC pipe for you in the noted lengths. You will also need a golf ball, a ping pong ball or nerf ball, and a measuring tool.

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6a Investigate a natural gas and oil well

Investigate a natural gas and oil well! Print out Lesson #6a and answer the questions using the supporting documents below.

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6b Build an engineering project: a Blast Car

Engineers of all kinds are needed in the natural gas and oil industry! Engineers are often team leaders who work with other engineers, scientists, and technicians, solving problems like choosing the best site for drilling, maintaining equipment on a rig, ensuring the safety of workers, and many other jobs. They use the engineering design process to develop new equipment like drill bits and new extraction processes like horizontal drilling.

Challenge: Experience the engineering design process through sketching an idea for a racer, laying out a design, constructing the car, conducting trial tests, modifying a design, and adding finishing details. Design a racer for optimum performance! Print out Lesson #6b to get going.

Order your blast car at scoutshop.org! You will also need a variety of hand tools including a screwdriver, wood carving tool, and sandpaper. Order a Blast Car Launch Kit here if your leader does not have one.

If you are using your car to compete in a Scout-sanctioned event, check out the rules here.

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6c Be an electrical engineer by using a Snap Circuit Kit

Order an Electronic Snap Kit for $30 here.

Print out Lesson #6c and follow the instructions.

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7 Explain what it means to be a professional engineer

Check out the requirements needed to be a professional engineer at nspe.org!

Print out Lesson #7 and list the four requirements.

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8 Study the Engineer’s code of ethics and relate it to the Scout Oath and Laws

Print out Lesson #8 and use the chart to compare the ways the Order of the Engineer and the Scout Oath and Laws are alike and different.

Obligations of the Order of the Engineer

I am an Engineer. In my profession I take deep pride. To it, I owe solemn obligations. Since the Stone Age, human progress has been spurred by the engineering genius. Engineers have made usable nature’s vast resources of material and energy for Humanity’s benefit. Engineers have vitalized and turned to practical use the principles of science and the means of technology. Were it not for this heritage of accumulated experience, my efforts would be feeble.

As an Engineer, I pledge to practice integrity and fair dealing, tolerance and respect, and to uphold devotion to the standards and the dignity of my profession, conscious always that my skill carries with it the obligation to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth’s precious wealth.

As an Engineer, in humility and with the need for Divine guidance, I shall participate in none but honest enterprises. When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good. In the performance of duty and in fidelity to my profession, I shall give the utmost. Each engineer who takes this oath wears The Engineer’s Ring, a stainless steel ring, worn on the fifth finger of the working hand by engineers who have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer in a Ring Ceremony.

Scout Oath

On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong; mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

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9 Investigate career opportunities in engineering

What skills do you possess that would help you in a career in engineering? Do you have an interest in engineering? You have learned about several types of engineers that work in the natural gas and oil industry. What are some of the skills engineers need (i.e., problem-solvers, mathematical skills, creative, practical)? What skills do you have?

Print out the Lesson #9 and make a list to share with a trusted adult.

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