I'm planning on suggesting a new merit badge, which is ,as far as I know, the only one of its kind* if it does become a commissioned badge, to the Boy Scout council leaders. I will be suggesting a Scale Modeling merit badge, as the title clearly states. I have a few key ideas and requirements down, but not enough. I would like some input from the community here on what you think of this idea and any requirements you suggest I include.
The requirements as I have them now are:
1. Name some different materials that the model parts are made of (I.e.: sheet styrene, photo-etch metal, etc.)
-name different paint types (I.e.: enamel, acrylic, etc)
2. Name different paint applicators (i.e.: airbrush, brush, spray canister, etc.)
-pros/cons of each
-for airbrush, list the materials necessary for operation
-find instructions online for airbrush, read them, then explain in your own words how to use an airbrush properly
-explain proper safety measures for painting/airbrushing
-show you recognize the difference between airbrush paints and regular, non-airbrush paints.
3. Demonstrate proper knife and handtool handling
-demonstrate what to do should you cut yourself
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4. Understand how hobby/model cement works
-understand the dangers of hobby/model cement and how to circumvent these dangers
5. Understand the hobby scaling system and difficulty scale
6. Visit a local hobby dealer/ hobby website (manufacturer or wholesale/retail) and research about model building and starting out in the hobby.
-write a short summary of what you learned
-if you visited a dealer or a wholesale/retail website:
-do above requirement plus:
-write a short list of 5 different manufacturers
7. Visit a hobby website (retail/wholesale) and create a short shopping cart of 1 model kit and supplies you think you may need to build this kit. (Do NOT buy these items unless you want to. Buying these items for the merit badge is NOT required.)
-print this cart and write a short description of why you chose the products you chose.
-show the cart and descriptions to your counselor
8. Build a model kit. (You may get your choice of kit to make. If you choose your own kit, the kit MUST require you to paint some parts or sub-assemblies and CAN NOT be an "easy-build" kit. Otherwise a kit will be supplied to you.)
-document the progression of your build with pictures and, if you want to, short summaries of work days.
-compile a list of all materials used to build your kit. This includes paints, glues, etc.
-at the end of the build, write a summary of how you feel the build went, your opinions on the kit, what you could have done better, what you learned, and what you would do next time.
-present the finished kit to your counselor with your summary and materials list.
*There's already a railroading merit badge with a subcategory of Model Railroading. The badge I'm suggesting would be a completely new, separate, individual merit badge.