# Hands-On Digital Projects Part of the Digital Technology Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/index.md) *6. Digital Projects* > **6.** Do THREE of the following. For each project you complete, copy the files to a backup device and share the finished projects with your counselor. This is the hands-on heart of the Digital Technology merit badge. You will choose **three** of the eight options below and create real digital projects. Each one builds practical skills with different types of software. Remember: for every project, you must **back up your files** to a separate device (USB drive, cloud storage, or external hard drive) and **share the finished work** with your counselor. > **Tip** > > Pick projects that interest you and that you can connect to real Scouting activities. A campout budget you will actually use is more meaningful than a fake one, and a real event flyer is more fun to design than a hypothetical one. ## Option A: Spreadsheet or Database Project > **6a.** Using a spreadsheet or database program, develop a food budget for a patrol weekend campout OR create a troop roster that includes the name, rank, patrol, and telephone number of each Scout. Show your counselor that you can sort the roster by each of the following categories: rank, patrol, and alphabetically by name. **Tools you can use:** Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Apple Numbers **For the food budget:** - List every meal (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast) - Include ingredients, quantities, and costs - Use formulas to calculate totals per meal and a grand total - Consider per-person costs by dividing by the number of patrol members **For the troop roster:** - Create columns for Name, Rank, Patrol, and Phone Number - Enter data for your troop (or create sample data with at least 10–15 entries) - Demonstrate sorting by rank, by patrol, and alphabetically by name - Consider using data validation or dropdown lists for rank and patrol fields [Google Sheets — Getting Started Guide](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6000292): Google's official tutorial for creating and formatting spreadsheets, including sorting and formulas. ## Option B: Word Processing Letter > **6b.** Using a word processor, write a draft letter to the parents of your troop's Scouts, inviting them to a troop event. **Tools you can use:** Google Docs, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Apple Pages **Your letter should include:** - A proper header with your troop number and contact information - The date and a greeting - Clear details: What is the event? When and where is it? What should families bring? - A call to action (RSVP instructions) - Professional formatting: consistent fonts, appropriate spacing, and a polished appearance Focus on using word processing features like headers, bold/italic text, bulleted lists, and spell check. A well-formatted letter shows real word processing skills. ## Option C: Graphics Design Project > **6c.** Using a graphics program, design and draw a campsite plan for your troop OR create a flyer for an upcoming troop event, incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration. **Tools you can use:** Google Drawings, Canva, Microsoft Publisher, GIMP (free), Adobe Express **For the campsite plan:** - Draw a bird's-eye view of the campsite layout - Include tent locations, fire ring, cooking area, water source, latrine, and gathering area - Add labels and a simple legend - Consider compass orientation and spacing between elements **For the event flyer:** - Include a catchy headline, event details (date, time, location), and contact information - Add at least one image or illustration - Use design principles: clear hierarchy, readable fonts, contrasting colors - Make it something you would actually want to post on a bulletin board ## Option D: Presentation > **6d.** Using a presentation software program, develop a report about a topic approved by your counselor. For your presentation, create at least five slides, with each one incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration. **Tools you can use:** Google Slides, Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, LibreOffice Impress **Strong presentation tips:** - Keep text minimal — bullet points, not paragraphs. Your slides should support your speaking, not replace it. - Every slide needs at least one visual element (photo, diagram, chart, or illustration) - Use a consistent design theme across all slides - Include a title slide and a conclusion or summary slide - Pick a topic you are passionate about — it will show in your presentation ## Option E: Digital Photography > **6e.** Using a digital device, take a picture of a troop activity. Send or transfer this image to a device where it can be shared with your counselor. **What you will demonstrate:** - Taking a clear, well-composed photograph of a real troop activity - Transferring the photo from one device to another (phone to computer, for example) - Methods: email attachment, AirDrop/Nearby Share, USB cable, cloud upload, or messaging app This is the most straightforward option, but take it seriously — focus on getting a good photo with clear composition and adequate lighting, not just a quick snapshot. ## Option F: Voice Recording > **6f.** Make a digital recording of your voice, transfer the file to a different device, and have your counselor play back the recording. **Tools you can use:** Voice Memos (iPhone), Sound Recorder (Android/Windows), Audacity (free, all platforms) **What to record:** Consider recording something useful — a patrol meeting summary, a trail description, or a reflection on a Scouting experience. Make sure the recording is clear and audible. **Transfer methods:** Email the file, upload to cloud storage, transfer via USB, use AirDrop/Nearby Share, or use a messaging app. ## Option G: Blog > **6g.** Create a blog and use it as an online journal of your Scouting activities, including group discussions and meetings, campouts, and other events. Include at least five entries and two photographs or illustrations. Share your blog with your counselor. You need not post the blog to the internet; however, if you choose to go live with your blog, you must first share it with your parent or guardian AND counselor AND get their approval. **Tools you can use:** WordPress.com, Blogger, Google Sites, Wix, or even a Google Doc formatted as a blog **Your blog needs:** - At least **five entries** covering different Scouting activities - At least **two photographs or illustrations** - Each entry should have a date, a title, and substantive content (not just "We went camping. It was fun.") > **Safety First!** > > If you choose to publish your blog publicly, you must get approval from **both** your parent/guardian **and** your counselor before posting. Do not include last names, phone numbers, addresses, or other personal information about yourself or other Scouts. Review what you learned in Req 1 about digital safety and your digital footprint. ## Option H: Webpage > **6h.** Create a webpage for your troop, patrol, school, or place of worship. Include at least three articles and two photographs or illustrations. Include at least one link to a website of interest to your audience. You need not post the page to the internet; however, if you decide to do so, you must first share the webpage with your parent or guardian AND counselor AND get their approval. **Tools you can use:** Google Sites, WordPress.com, Wix, or even hand-coded HTML in a text editor **Your webpage needs:** - At least **three articles** (about your troop's activities, upcoming events, history, etc.) - At least **two photographs or illustrations** - At least **one external link** to a relevant website - A clean, organized layout that is easy to navigate The same safety rules apply — get parent and counselor approval before publishing online. ![Illustrated collage of eight digital project types: spreadsheet, letter, graphic design, presentation, photography, voice recording, blog, and webpage](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/digital-projects-collage?v=4354fdcd) ## For All Projects: Back Up Your Work No matter which three options you choose, you must back up your files to a separate device. This reinforces the data protection principles from [Req 4c](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/req4c/). Options include: - **USB flash drive** — copy files directly - **Cloud storage** — Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, Dropbox - **Email to yourself** — simple but effective for small files - **External hard drive** — for larger projects > **Be Prepared! Choosing Your Three Projects** > > Not sure which three to pick? Consider these factors: > > - **What software do you already have access to?** No need to buy anything — free tools exist for every option. > - **What connects to your real Scouting life?** A real campout budget is more useful than a fake roster. > - **What builds skills you want?** If you are interested in coding, try the webpage. If you love photography, go for option E. If you want to practice public speaking, a presentation is great practice. > - **What are you least experienced with?** This badge is about learning — picking something unfamiliar teaches you more than repeating something you already know. You have built real digital projects. Now let's make sure you understand the laws that protect the digital work of others — and your own. --- - Previous: [HTTPS & Security Certificates](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/req5c/index.md) - Next: [Copyrights, Patents & Trademarks](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/digital-technology/guide/req7a/index.md)