A Guide to Engineering Badges

Junior Troops

Balloon Car Design Challenge

This badge explores vehicles, specifically jets and propulsion methods. Juniors will learn how air-based propulsion works before designing and building their own balloon-powered car.

Video 1: Energy

Play this video for the explanation of energy in Activity 3: Learn About Potential and Kinetic Energy. Provide a brief check-in following the video to make sure the girls understood the video and then continue with Activity 4: Design and Build a Balloon Car.

J- Balloon Car- Info.MOV

Video 2: Propulsion

An important part of learning new skills is seeing how they apply in the real world. Play this video at the end of the activity during the final wrap up and reflection activities, so Juniors can see how what they learned today is in use in the world around them.

J- Balloon Car- Connection.MOV

Crane Design Challenge

This badge explores cranes and machines. Juniors will learn about simple and complex machines before building a model crane to hold as much weight as possible.

Video 1: Simple and Compound Machines

Play this video to begin Activity 2: Simple and Complex Machines. Check the girls' understanding by completing Activity 3: Explore Simple and Compound Machines.

J- Crane- Info.MOV

Video 2: Robots

An important part of learning new skills is seeing how they apply in the real world. Play this video at the end of the activity during the final wrap up and reflection activities, so Juniors can see how what they learned today is in use in the world around them.

Paddle Boat Design Challenge

The badge explores buoyancy, propulsion and boats. Juniors will learn about propellers and floatation before building their own paddle boat.

Video 1: Buoyancy

After the girls explore what floats and what sinks in Activity 2: Engineering Buoyancy, play this video to explain the concept of buoyancy. Check the girls' understanding of the video before continuing to Activity 3: Explore How Paddle Boats Work.

J- Paddle Boat- Info 1.MOV

Video 2: Energy

Play this video to begin Activity 3: Explore How Paddle Boats Work. Continue with the activity by demonstrating how rubber bands and cardboard can create a paddle.

J- Paddle Boat- Info 2.mov

Video 3: Boats

An important part of learning new skills is seeing how they apply in the real world. Play this video at the end of the activity during the final wrap up and reflection activities, so Juniors can see how what they learned today is in use in the world around them.

J- Paddle Boat- Connection.MOV