Scouts learn about ecology, pollution, endangered species, pollination by bees, and other environmental topics while working on the Environmental Science merit badge. They also study how parts of the ecosystem interact through repeated observation.
Either Sustainability merit badge or Environmental Science merit badge is required for the rank of Eagle.
Environmental Science Merit Badge Resources
Requirement 1: History of Environmental Science
Requirement 2: Terms and Definitions
Help with Answers for Environmental Science Merit Badge Requirements
Find specific helps for some of the Environmental Science merit badge requirements listed below. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Scouts to introduce these concepts to new Scouts.
Ask Scouter Mom a question or share your ideas with others
Environmental Science Merit Badge Requirement 1: History of Environmental Science
Requirement 1 Helps and Answers
Environmental Science Timeline
This is a very good example of a timeline and in includes contributions from the Boy Scouts of America.
Environmental Science Merit Badge Requirement 2: Terms and Definitions
Requirement 2 Helps and Answers
Environmental Science Crossword Puzzle
This puzzle contains all 19 words and definitions for requirement 2. They are also given in word/definition format if you don’t want to do the puzzle. You can use it to learn the definition for each term.
Environmental Science Merit Badge Requirement 3: Categories
Requirement 3 Helps and Answers
Impact of a Waterborne Pollutant on an Aquatic Community
Endangered Species which have Recovered
Ways to Conserve Resources at Home
What Is an Ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a region where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and terrain, work together to support life. Each factor in an ecosystem depends on the other factors. If one of the factors changes, all of the others must adapt, migrate, or die. Read more about ecosystems and see some examples.
What Is Acid Rain?
Acid rain is rain, snow, fog, hail, or mist which has acidic components, such as sulfuric acid or nitric acid. These components come from air pollution and can be caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Acid rain can harm ecosystems, damage buildings, and negatively impact human health. Read more about the effects of acid rain and see some examples.
Impact of a Waterborne Pollutant on an Aquatic Community
When pollutants are dumped into rivers and oceans this harms animals and decreases their population. Sewage can cause disease. Trash can harm animals when they swallow it or get tangled in it. Chemical pollutants are swallowed and make the animals sick. Organic pollutants can cause algae to increase which uses more of the oxygen in the water, making the water unsuitable for some animals. Smaller animals may be especially susceptible. But this still harms larger animals because they depend on these smaller creatures for food. As populations decrease or are wiped out entirely, the entire ecosystem can be permanently damaged by any of these types of water pollution.
Examples of Soil Erosion
- Caves
- River Banks
- Cracks in Rocks
- Gravitational Erosion
- Coastal Erosion
Endangered Species which have Recovered
See examples of twelve endangered species which have recovered. Pick one you are interested in an learn more. See the list.
Ways to Conserve Resources at Home
This is a really great list of 50 ways to conserve resources in your home. Suggestions include how to conserve water, reduce packaging, save fuel, use less paper, use less electricity, and more. See the full list of 50 ideas.
Find Invasive Species in your Area
The USDA has a site which will help you find out what invasive species are a problem in your area. You can search by region or state.
Environmental Science Merit Badge Requirement 4: Study Areas
Requirement 4 Helps and Answers
Study Area Tips
- Take notes, make drawings, and take pictures so you can remember all of the diversity you observed.
- Not all of the grass you see is “grass”. There might be many different types.
- Check with a local nature center to see if they have any checklists of plants and wildlife common in your area. This will help with noticing different things.
Environmental Science Merit Badge Requirement 5: Environmental Impact Statement
Requirement 5 Helps and Answers
What Is an Environmental Impact Statement?
An environmental impact statement (EIS) is a document which describes the impact of a proposed project on the environment. For example, you might consider if a project will displace or harm wildlife in the area.
Environmental Science Merit Badge Requirement 6: Careers
Requirement 6 Helps and Answers
Careers in Environmental Science
Resources
These ideas and related achievements will help you while you are working on the requirements for this badge.