BOY SCOUT CLASSES
AVAILABLE THROUGH MATH SCIENCE NUCLEUS
main location: California Nursery Historical Park
class description (scroll down)

if you have 20 scouts you can schedule a class, please contact msn@msnucleus.org

The Math Science Nucleus has programs for scouts to meet scout science requirements in a fun, interactive and hands-on environment. We have programs that cover Cub Scout requirements and electives, belt loops and academic pins, Webelos badges and Boy Scout merit badges. Scouts will receive a print out of the requirements/badges completed at the end of the class.

Location (all managed by Math Science Nucleus, a non profit organization devoted to increasing science in our society.

Children’s Natural History Museum (CNHM) 4074 Eggers Drive, Fremont or
California Nursery Historic Park (Cal Nur) Niles Blvd and Nursery Ave, Fremont (see directions).

Programs have a minimum class size of 12 scouts and a maximum of 30. In addition to our scheduled programs we can accommodate requests for classes afterschool or early evening during the weekdays. Please note that we request online registration 3 days prior to class, unless you call and confirm whether the class has room or has not been canceled because of low enrollment.

CANCELLATION POLICY
You may transfer the money without charge to another class if space is available, or there is a $5 cancellation fee per transaction. If you do not cancel 3 days prior to the date of the class there is no refund. If we cancel the class there is a full refund.

Detailed class descriptions
WEBELOS / AOL Adventures
(contact Karen Anderson - kanderson@msnucleus.org to schedule dates)

Learn about how rocks, minerals and fossils are formed and tour the geological displays of our museum. Learn about the earth, the causes of volcanos and earthquakes and make a hardness scale for rocks and test it. . Class covers Earth Rocks! Adventure Requirements 1-6, 7b and 8. Certificate of completion at end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $20

Learn about the basics of what an engineer does and build some cool things while learning principles of engineering. Class includes examining blueprints, constructing a model bridge and making a working catapult. Class covers Webelos Adventure Engineer Requirements 1-4. Certificate of completion at end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $20

Learn about trees in the outdoors at the 20 acre California Nursery Historical Park. Class starts with a presentation in the historic Vallejo Adobe and includes a tour to through the park which has trees from all over the world. Boys will learn about forests, their importance to local and world ecosystems. Learn about how to care for trees and plant a seedling tree to take home. Class will cover Adventure Into the Woods Requirements 1-7. Certificate of completion at end of class. Location: California Nursery Historic Park $20

Learn about nature in the outdoors at California Nursery Historical Park. Boys will learn about ecosystems and will identify a variety of plants and animals and learn to identify animal activity in the wild. Class will cover Into the Woods Adventure requirements 4-9. Certificate of completion at end of class. Location: California Nursery Historic Park $20

The archaeology merit badge class is a fascinating, in-depth three day course taught by a professional archaeologist. Scouts will learn the basics of archaeology and how archaeologists use clues people left behind to understand the past and the importance of protecting archaeological sites. Scouts will learn about a variety of intriguing and important archaeological sites throughout the world. Class will include the basics of how to excavate, record data and interpret results. We will make some artifacts including Native American saws and Mission Period adobe bricks and learn to make some Native American foods and how to play some traditional games. Course covers Archaeology Merit Badge Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5, 6, 7a, 8c, 9b, 10b and 11. Scouts should do Requirement 11 before the class. Blue card signed by instructor at the end of the class

Discover our planet earth's place in the universe, and learn about the wonders of the night sky. Get familiar with using astronomical telescopes, and visit our on-site planetarium facilities to learn about planets, stars, and other objects in the depths of space. Obtaining and reading the merit badge pamphlet on astronomy before the class is highly recommended. We will cover BSA requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8a for the merit badge. Scouts should do requirement 9 (careers in astronomy) prior to class. They should determine three career opportunities in astronomy then pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required. Bring this information to class and be prepared to discuss it. Blue cards signed by instructor at end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $40

Learn the basics of chemistry. The class will cover BSA requirements for chemistry 1-6. This includes an introduction to chemistry, lab safety, separations, gas behavior and environmental chemistry. We will perform experiments and make molecular models. Boys should complete part 7b (chemistry careers) before class. Blue cards signed by instructor at end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $40

Electricity is a powerful force of nature. When harnessed, it can perform amazing feats. Learn the basics with hands-on activities. See demonstrations of amazing high voltage devices. Obtaining and reading the merit badge pamphlet on electricity before the class is highly recommended. We will cover BSA requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11a, and 11c for the merit badge. Blue cards signed by instructor at end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $40

Our lives would be unimaginable without the electronics devices we have become so dependent on. Master the basics of electronic components and circuits by devising and building simple devices. See amazing demonstrations of high voltages generated by state of the art electronics. Obtaining and reading the merit badge pamphlet on astronomy before the class is highly recommended. We will cover BSA requirements 1, 2, 3, 4b, and 5 for the merit badge. Scouts should do requirement 6 (careers in electronics) prior to class. They should determine three career opportunities in electronics then find out about the education, and training required for each. Bring this information to class and be prepared to discuss it. Blue cards signed by instructor at end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $40

Engineers use science and technology to turn ideas into reality. Learn about the different kinds of engineers and the many ways they work to create things. Practice engineering techniques and apply them to your own life. Obtaining and reading the merit badge pamphlet on astronomy before the class is highly recommended. We will cover BSA requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5b, 6b, 6c, 7, and 8 for the merit badge. Scouts should do requirement 9 (careers in engineering) prior to class. They should determine three career opportunities in engineering then pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required. Bring this information to class and be prepared to discuss it. Blue cards signed by instructor at end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $40

Learn about Environmental Science at the California Nursery Historical Park. Part 1 will cover Requirements 1, 2, 3a3, 3b3, 3c2, 3d1 and begin 3f3. Scouts should do Requirement 2 (definitions) before the class. We will review them during the class. Class will include experiments and outdoors observations. Blue cards signed by instructor at end of class. Recommended for second class and above.Location: California Nursery Historic Park $40

This is Part 2 of the Environmental Science Merit Badge at California Nursery Historical Park. Class will finish Requirement 3f3 and complete Requirement 4, comparing two outdoor study areas and Requirement 5, environmental impact report. Scouts should complete Requirement 3e (1 or 2), (endangered species) and Requirement 6, (careers in Environmental Science) before the class and we will review them during the class. Blue cards signed at the end of the class for completed work from Park 1 and Park 2. Recommended for second class and above. Location: California Nursery Historic Park $40

Learn about trees and different types of forests, their importance and how to manage them. Class includes a walk through the 20 acre California Nursery Historical Park which has examples of trees from throughout the world. We will cover all BSA requirements for the merit badge (1, 2c, 3, 4, 5a, 6 and 7). Blue cards signed by instructor at end of class. Location:California Nursery Historic Park $40

Learn about geology and fossils using the extensive collections of the Children’s Natural History Museum! The class will fulfill the BSA requirements for Geology and will cover the Earth History Option (fossils!) for Requirement 5. Scouts should complete Requirement 4b (careers in geology) and Requirment 5d3 (define environments and how animals from those environments obtain food) before the class. Blue cards signed by instructor at the end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $40

Learn about the variety of parts of the natural world and the interconnectedness of the ecosystem. We will cover all of Requirements 1, 2 and 3. Requirement 4 requires completing 5 out of a-h (8 options). The class will cover 4b mammals, 4f mollusks and crustaceans, 4g plants, and 4h soils and rocks. Scouts will need to cover one of the remaining options for Requirement 4 on their own, before or after the class (4a, 4c, 4d or 4e). Blue card will be signed at class for all requirements completed. Location: California Nursery Historic Park $40

Learn the science and technology of nuclear science. The class will cover BSA requirements for nuclear science 1-7. This includes the nuclear physics, radioactivity, health concerns, and medical and energy applications of nuclear processes. We will build nuclear models and perform experiments using radioactivity simulations. Boys should complete part 8 (nuclear science careers) before class. Blue cards signed by instructor at the end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $40:

PLEASE NOTE: This class is NOT recommended for scouts younger than 8th grade as it includes high school level science concepts.

Places far and near are connected by instant communications made possible by radio. Learn about broadcast, two-way, and hobby radio. Learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and how radio waves are generated and transmitted. We will cover BSA requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9a for the merit badge. Scouts should do requirement 8 (careers in radio) prior to class. They should determine three career opportunities in radio then pick one and find out about the education, training, and experience required. Bring this information to class and be prepared to discuss it. Blue cards signed by instructor at end of class. Location: Children's Natural History Museum $40

Learn about how the importance of soil and water to our ecosystems! Class will include hands on learning and experiments. We will cover requirements 1-6 and 7d and 7f. (Scouts will need to do 2a (define soil erosion) and 6a (Tell what is meant by water pollution) before the class. We will review these during the class and cover all other requirements. Blue cards signed at the end of the class. This badge fulfills part of the requirements for the World Conservation Award. Location: California Nursery Historic Park $40

Learn about the exciting field of space exploration. The class will cover BSA requirements for space exploration 1-7. This includes previous missions, benefits, space technology and space physics. We will also launch a non-combustion rocket and design space missions and space stations. Scouts should complete part 2a (space pioneer collector’s card only) and part 8 (space careers) before class. Blue cards signed by instructor at the end of class. Location: California Nursery Historic Park $40

call 510-790-6284

additional dates and additional science programs are available for Scout groups of 8 or more.
Contact Karen Anderson e-mail: kanderson@msnucleus.org for more information