Digital Technology Merit Badge Answers: A ScoutSmarts Guide

If you’re preparing to earn the Digital Technology merit badge, you’re in the right place! In this guide, I’ll be providing you with all of the answers that you’ll need to complete your Digital Tech merit badge worksheet. In the process, you’ll also learn to ethically and safely use digital technology in the 21st century!

You’ve reached part 2 of my ultimate guide to the Digital Technology merit badge! If you’re new to ScoutSmarts, you should first check out part 1 for the answers to requirements 1-4 of the Digital Technology merit badge.

If you’ve just come over from part one, congratulations! You’re halfway done. Once you finish this badge, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge needed to effectively handle digital devices and software. BTW, great job making it this far! 🙂

It’s time to get back into it! Take a minute to closely review and think through requirements 5-9 of the Digital Technology merit badge:

What Are The Digital Technology Merit Badge Answers?

Do the following:
5a. Describe at least two different ways data can be transferred through the internet.
5b. Using an internet search engine (with a parent or guardian’s permission), find ideas from at least three different websites about how to conduct a troop court of honor or campfire program. Present the ideas to your counselor and explain how you used a search engine to find this information.
5c. Use a web browser to connect to an HTTPS (secure) website (with your parent’s permission). Explain to your counselor how to tell whether the site’s security certificate can be trusted, and what it means to use this kind of connection.
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.
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.
6b. Using a word processor, write a draft letter to the parents of your troop’s Scouts, inviting them to a troop event.
6c. Using a graphics program, design and draw a campsite plan for your troop OR create a flier for an upcoming troop event, incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration.
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.
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.
6f. Make a digital recording of your voice, transfer the file to a different device, and have your counselor play back the recording.
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 parents AND counselor AND get their approval.
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 parents AND counselor AND get their approval.
Do the following:
7a. Explain to your counselor each of these protections and why they exist: copyright, patents, trademarks, trade secrets.
7b. Explain when it is permissible to accept a free copy of a program from a friend.
7c. Discuss with your counselor an article or (with your parent of guardian’s permission) a report on the internet about a recent legal case involving an intellectual property dispute.
Do TWO of the following:
8a. Describe why it is important to properly dispose of digital technology. List at least three dangerous chemicals that could be used to create digital devices or used inside a digital device.
8b. Explain to your counselor what is required to become a certified recycler of digital technology hardware or devices.
8c. Do an internet search for an organization that collects discarded digital technology hardware or devices for repurposing or recycling. Find out what happens to that waste. Share with your counselor what you found.
8d. Visit a recycling center that disposes of digital technology hardware or devices. Find out what happens to that waste. Share what you learned with your counselor.
8e. Find a battery recycling center near you and find out what it does to recycle batteries. Share what you have learned with your counselor about the proper methods for recycling batteries.
Do ONE of the following:
9a. Investigate three career opportunities that involve digital technology. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
9b. Visit a business or an industrial facility that uses digital technology. Describe four ways digital technology is being used there. Share what you learned with your counselor.

5a) Describe at least two different ways data can be transferred through the internet.

There are many ways that data can be transferred over the internet, but practically all methods involve breaking information into smaller pieces. These bits of information are called ‘packets’ and they are sent across a network of computers to arrive at their destination.

To transfer packets, each one contains a source and destination address. Routers in a network are used to direct the packets, as they travel through cables or wireless connections, hopping from one router to another until they reach their destination. There, the packets are reassembled to recreate the original data.

There are 3 main ways currently used to transfer data over the Internet:

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP): This method breaks data into small packets, assigns each packet a destination address, and reconstructs the file upon delivery. IP handles the routing of the packets, ensuring they are delivered to the correct destination.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): HTTP is used for transferring data over the World Wide Web. It mainly retrieves web pages and resources from servers. When you enter a website address in your browser, it sends an HTTP request to the web server, which processes the request and sends the requested data (HTML, images, videos, etc.). Fun fact, HTTP operates over TCP/IP!
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP): Aka email, this transfer method establishes a connection between the sender’s and recipient’s email client (Gmail, Yahoo, etc). SMTP allows the sender to transfer the email’s data to the server. The server then relays the email to the recipient’s mail server using SMTP. Basically, SMTP is how data is transferred via email! 😀

5b) Using an internet search engine (with a parent or guardian’s permission), find ideas from at least three different websites about how to conduct a troop court of honor or campfire program. Present the ideas to your counselor and explain how you used a search engine to find this information.

For this requirement, I’d suggest Googling “how to run a troop court of honor” and “campfire program plans.” From there, read through the first few search engine suggestions to see if any of the page titles spark your interest.

When I’m searching for information online, I usually take a bit of time to skim through the search results, instead of diving right into the first result that pops up. This helps when trying to find more relevant information. You can also try using other search queries to find even more closely related articles.

Once you’ve finished trying out your search engine skills, here are some Court of Honor program ideas to look through and share with your counselor:

5c) Use a Web browser to connect to an HTTPS (secure) website (with your parent’s permission). Explain to your counselor how to tell whether the site’s security certificate can be trusted, and what it means to use this kind of connection.

One of the quickest ways to check if a site is secure is to click on the small padlock icon next to the website address. A popup should appear with an option to show the security certificate. Once clicked, an information window will open with the site’s address and certificate information.

An HTTPS (secure) website’s certificate will include details about when it was issued, when it will expire, and whether the certificate is valid. Security certificates bind the value of a public key (used in the TCP) to the person or organization that holds the corresponding private key. If the certificate is valid, the site can be trusted.

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.
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.
6b) Using a word processor, write a draft letter to the parents of your troop’s Scouts, inviting them to a troop event.
6c) Using a graphics program, design and draw a campsite plan for your troop OR create a flier for an upcoming troop event, incorporating text and some type of visual such as a photograph or an illustration.
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.
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.
6f) Make a digital recording of your voice, transfer the file to a different device, and have your counselor play back the recording.
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 parents AND counselor AND get their approval.
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 parents AND counselor AND get their approval.

I would recommend doing the three requirements that most interest you. However, if you’re trying to get this requirement finished in a pinch, 6b, 6e, and 6f are most likely the requirements you’ll be able to complete fastest. All you need to do is write a letter, take a picture, and record a memo!

To complete requirement 6B, simply log into your Gmail account or create a new account. Then, use Google Docs to write a letter addressed to the parents of your fellow Scouts, inviting them to an event. This doesn’t need to be a long letter by any means, and can be something along these lines:

Join us for a memorable Court of Honor! To recognize the hard work and achievements of the Scouts in troop 135, you’re invited to a fun night of ceremony and celebration! At this upcoming Court of Honor, Scouts will be awarded their earned ranks and merit badges. Help to make our event even more special through your attendance!

The next two requirements are even easier, and can quickly be completed on almost any phone. If you have an iPhone like me, simply open the camera app and snap a picture. Then, open voice memos and record yourself talking. Afterward, you can use the share function on both of these files to send them to your counselor. Easy-peasy!

7a) Explain to your counselor each of these protections and why they exist: copyright, patents, trademarks, trade secrets.

Copyright

Copyrights grant exclusive ownership to the creator of an original work, such as a song, book, or software. This means that the creator can legally decide how the work is used and distributed for a specific period. After this time, the creator can try to renew the copyright or the work becomes public property.

Copyrights are granted by law within a country. They are intended to give the original creator compensation and credit for their work and intellectual effort. Without copyright law, creative works could be easily stolen, which would be unfair to artists and deter innovation.

Patents

A patent is similar to a copyright but instead protects inventions, processes, and products. When an individual or business secures a patent, they usually gain exclusive rights to the development for 20 years. During that time, competitors are prohibited from using and selling the patented invention without the patent holder’s permission.

The existence of patents also benefits the public, as in exchange for the exclusive rights inventors must also document and disclose details about their innovation. This ultimately helps to expand our body of human knowledge!

Patents encourage innovation by providing inventors with a temporary monopoly on their creations. This is especially important if a company invests significant money and time into a breakthrough development, as acquiring a patent allows them to recoup their investment and even make a profit.

Trademarks

Trademarks are symbols, words, phrases, or designs that identify a product or service as belonging to a specific source. When written, a trademark symbol ™ will follow the word, phrase, etc. it refers to. Some common trademarked logos include McDonald’s golden arches, Nike’s check mark, and Starbucks’ mermaid.

Since consumers recognize brands and often buy on that basis, trademarks provide legal protection against the unauthorized use of brand identifiers by competitors. This allows companies to protect their brand’s reputation, prevent consumer confusion, and compete fairly.

Trade Secrets

Trade secrets refer to confidential information that businesses keep secret to maintain a competitive advantage. This can include formulas, business processes, strategies, information, or other resources. Usually, trade secrets are not well-known or easily learned by others.

Unlike patents or copyrights, trade secrets are not connected to legal protections and are kept confidential internally. A trade secret you might’ve heard of is the Krabby Patty secret formula (or the ingredients in Coca-Cola). This recipe creates tasty burgers and gives the Krusty Krab an advantage over the Chum Bucket! 😛

7b) Explain when it is permissible to accept a free copy of a program from a friend.

In most cases, it’s not permissible to accept a free copy of a program, as this would be considered piracy and is illegal. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule that make accepting such copies permissible:

Freeware: In this case, the program is labeled as free for personal and commercial use. This means that the program might fall under the public domain, allowing people to use it for most purposes.
Open Source Software: If the program is distributed under an open source license, this typically allows users to freely share and distribute copies. In this case, accepting a free copy from a friend is generally acceptable, but may come with terms such as providing access to the source code.

However, it’s always important to review the licensing terms and avoid redistributing any paid programs if the above exceptions don’t apply.

7c) Discuss with your counselor an article or (with your parent or guardian’s permission) a report on the internet about a recent legal case involving an intellectual property dispute.

One of the largest legal intellectual property disputes of the 21st century was between Google and Oracle. In this court case that began in 2010, Oracle claimed that Google stole copyrighted pieces of Java source code to develop the Android smartphones. Google argued that the code was too generic to be protected by copyright law and is subject to the fair use doctrine.

In 2020, three trials and two appeals later, the dispute was narrowed down to 37 APIs and roughly 11,500 lines of code. For context, Androids use approximately 12 million lines of code. Oracle acknowledges that the code is not exactly the same (that is, copy-pasted). But they argue that it’s similar enough in structure, sequence, and organization to fall under copyright infringement.

If Oracle wins, it means that specific and similar software coding can be successfully copyrighted. Oracle would also be entitled to part of the proceeds from Google’s Androids.
If Google wins, it blurs the line even more between language compatibility and copyright infringement. It is likely this case will set a national precedent.

Ultimately, in April of 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that APIs are not subject to copyright because giving the copyright a programming language to a single company would stifle innovation, undermining the purpose of a copyright. This means it was Google’s victory!

For a more thorough explanation of this landmark case, make sure to check out the quick and helpful case recap video (1:45) below:

Do TWO of the following:
8a) Describe why it is important to properly dispose of digital technology. List at least three dangerous chemicals that could be used to create digital devices or used inside a digital device.
8b) Explain to your counselor what is required to become a certified recycler of digital technology hardware or devices.
8c) Do an internet search for an organization that collects discarded digital technology hardware or devices for repurposing or recycling. Find out what happens to that waste. Share with your counselor what you found.
8d) Visit a recycling center that disposes of digital technology hardware or devices. Find out what happens to that waste. Share what you learned with your counselor.
8e) Find a battery recycling center near you and find out what it does to recycle batteries. Share what you have learned with your counselor about the proper methods for recycling batteries.

I’ll be covering requirements 8a and 8b, but definitely work on the requirements above that you’re most interested in! I’d especially suggest visiting an electronics recycling center, as the best way to learn is to see and do things, firsthand. 🙂

8a) Describe why it is important to properly dispose of digital technology. List at least three dangerous chemicals that could be used to create digital devices or used inside a digital device.

Most types of digital technology may seem inert, but phones, laptops, and screens are a complex mix of hundreds of different materials and chemicals. If not disposed of properly, some of the more hazardous chemicals could cause serious harm to individuals or the environment.

That’s why it’s essential to recycle electronics at the end of their lifespans. This way, valuable materials can be recovered, and harmful substances can be prevented from ending up in landfills. Below are a few dangerous chemicals that can commonly be found in digital devices:

Brominated flame retardant: This is used in circuit boards and plastic casing. It doesn’t break down easily, and long-term exposure can lead to impaired mental functions and hormone imbalances.
Cadmium: This chemical is used in computer batteries, contacts, and switches. It’s highly toxic and can quickly cause kidney and bone damage.
Chlorinated dioxins: This chemical is released when PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is burned. It’s very persistent and highly toxic, even in low concentrations.
Hexavalent chromium: Compounds of this chemical are used in metal housings. Like the others in this list, it’s highly toxic and carcinogenic.

To find an e-waste recycling center near you, simply Google “(your area) e-waste recycling.” Then, the next time you have a few electronics or batteries to dispose of, simply the center and they’ll safely take care of recycling the devices for you! Make sure to remove the data on any device you dispose of as well.

8b) Explain to your counselor what is required to become a certified recycler of digital technology hardware or devices.

The EPA recognizes two digital technology recycling certifications: Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) and e-Stewards. Each has specific steps that businesses and individuals must take before they can earn certification. In addition to this, they must undergo regular inspections (called audits) to prove they are actually adhering to the set standards at all times.

Certified recyclers must provide ways for the public to recycle technology. They must also document the processes and procedures they use, show evidence that they are following requirements (such as data destruction records), and pass annual or periodic internal and certification audits.

If you want to learn more about the interesting world of electronics recycling, make sure to check out the documentary video (9:44) below! It’s very well-produced, and definitely taught me a thing or two! 😀

Do ONE of the following:
9a) Investigate three career opportunities that involve digital technology. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
9b) Visit a business or an industrial facility that uses digital technology. Describe four ways digital technology is being used there. Share what you learned with your counselor.

Tons of careers involve the use of digital technology. However, in this requirement, I’ll be telling you about 3 of my favorites!

Software Developer

A software developer creates software by utilizing every part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). They design, develop, test, implement, update, and troubleshoot software. Ultimately, a software developer’s role is to provide digital solutions that drive innovation and solve user problems.

Typically, a software developer has a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software programming, or a related degree. However, it’s not unusual for companies to accept candidates with comparable experience in lieu of a formal education.

Computer Programmer

A computer programmer’s role is more narrow in scope than that of a developer. They are responsible for writing, testing, and maintaining the code that enables computers and software to run. Often, programmers specialize in one specific aspect of digital development.

Most programmers also have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field. Different trainings and certifications are available depending on the desired skills. Entry-level jobs may require no or minimal experience. Advanced jobs like senior developers may require as much as 10 or 15+ years of experience.

Digital Marketer

This is my favorite career path, as I personally work in digital marketing and enjoy studying the subject! A digital marketer develops, launches, and manages marketing campaigns. These campaigns are run across a range of digital technologies and software, from smartphones to computers, and from websites to social media platforms.

Marketers have the power to promote specific products or services and raise awareness about causes. They often plan campaigns, write sales copy, create designs, run ads, build web pages, set up email sequences, and more! As a marketer, you have the opportunity to wear many different hats so the work is never boring. 🙂

To become a digital marketer, you won’t necessarily need a relevant degree. Hands-on experience and certifications often take precedence. However, a degree in marketing, writing, or economics will also help an applicant’s chances. Additionally, a portfolio of past marketing campaigns will provide a huge advantage.

The national average salary for digital marketers is roughly $64,000 per year in the U.S. At the low end of this scale is an annual paycheck of roughly $35,000, while the high end of the scale skews upwards of $100,000 per year. Digital marketing is very results-based, so one can make a great living being a skilled marketer.

In addition to paying well, digital marketing is also a rewarding career that allows people to combine their creative outlets with a modern approach. Tech-savvy artists often go into marketing and build great careers. Plus, digital marketing jobs are often more flexible than other jobs, meaning that markets aren’t typically boxed into the traditional “9 to 5” work structure!

Congrats on Finishing the Digital Technology Merit Badge!

You did it! Great work making it to the end of the Digital Tech merit badge. Each of us uses technology every day, so it’s important to understand its safe and ethical use. Through what you learned in earning this badge, you now have the skills and knowledge to use digital technology even more effectively!

If you found this post helpful, I’ve also written guides to many of the other Eagle-required merit badges. I’d definitely recommend checking out my comprehensive difficulty rankings for every Eagle-required merit badge if you haven’t seen it already!

Great work, Scout. You’ve just learned everything necessary to answer each of the requirements in your merit badge workbook and earn your Digital Technology badge!! I hope you found my guide helpful and, until next time, I’m wishing you the best of luck in your Scouting journey. 😀

(Click here to return to part 1 of my guide to the Digital Technology merit badge!)