Nuclear Science Merit Badge Trip Summary
Harris Energy Center New Hill, NC
July 12, 2008

23 scouts from Troop 216 completed the Nuclear Science merit badge on Saturday, July 12th at the Harris Energy Center in New Hill, NC.   Prior to this trip, the scouts had to complete a workbook and also complete a team project that satisfied one of the larger requirements in the merit badge book.  With that preparation complete, we arrived at the Harris visitor's center at about 8:40AM and class started promptly at 9AM. 

Mr. Tom Stacy, the merit badge counselor and an employee at the plant, did a fantastic job putting on this merit badge session!   We were given full access to all of the resources at the Harris visitor center, including a movie theater and a hands-on exhibit and a classroom. 

To start the day, Mr. Stacy invited each scout (and adult) to create their own personalized Harris Plant identification card, complete with photo.  This was just like a credit card, complete with magnetic strip that contained the scout’s “credentials” for the hands-on exhibits.   Once everyone had their credentials, we proceeded into a movie theater for a 30 minute movie that covered a large portion of the material in the merit badge book.   The movie was a great way to get familiar with concepts like atoms, radiation, nuclear fission, and a variety of scientists who made significant contributions to the field.  Next, it was time for a scavenger hunt in the hands-on exhibit area.   The boys really enjoyed this area and returned there during many of the breaks.  They learned all about the construction, operation, safety and security at the Harris plant.  After 20 minutes of scavenger hunting, it was on to the classroom for 2 hours of lecture and discussion.   When they sat down, the boys were excited to find a bag full of goodies and informational material at their seats for use throughout the day.  Mr. Stacy also brought a very large collection of sample materials, products and instruments to use during the discussion and to put the concepts into a context that the boys could understand.   He also "procured," as he liked to say, a host of Progress Energy trinkets (hats, flashlights, puzzles, calculators, etc.) and used them as "fabulous prizes" to keep the boys engaged throughout the day.  This was a huge success, as the boys were eager to answer questions all day long. 

At noon, it was time for lunch.  We had burgers, hot dogs, potato chips, apples and Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies.   Thanks to Mrs. Meyer for buying all of the food, planning and heading up the lunch operations.   Thanks also to Mr. Kesselring for lugging his gas grill along and cooking burgers and to Mr. Sox for bringing his camp stove and cooking the hot dogs.   After lunch, Gary M. organized a quick game of manhunt which the boys played in a nearby field before returning to class for the afternoon. 

After lunch it the scouts returned to the classroom for some hands-on work with Geiger counters, presentations of each team project and more earning of fabulous prizes.    Mr. Stacy said that one of the team projects, the model of a nuclear reactor that Jonathan L’s team built, was the best version of that model that he had seen to date!    The day culminated in a spirited game of "Nuclear Science Jeopardy" (complete with an electronic device for "buzzing in") which tested the knowledge the boys had built during their at-home prep, their team assignments, and all day on Saturday.   The game was very competitive and the boys were snapping off answers with incredible speed and mastery (although there was quite a bit of dispute about who was buzzing in too early :-))!    It was concrete proof that the boys had learned the material and a great way to cap off the day.   

We left the Harris Center at about 4:15 and everyone was picked up at Apex Crossings with lots of stories to tell.    The boys seemed to have a great time (I've already received a couple of notes attesting to that fact), they learned a lot, and they all walked away with some new toys. 

We still have 5 more boys slated to complete the badge.  Mr. Stacy is planning an October 4th session with another troop, so I'm hoping that we'll be able to piggyback on that session. 

Thanks once again to Mr. Stacy for all of his efforts in putting on such a great merit badge!   Thanks also to the adult leaders and parents that provided rides and helped keep the group activities under control.

Chris Meyer
T216 Committee Chair