Together with Alliance Archaeological Services,

Baden-Powell Council presents:

Uncovering the Past

A module from the STEM/NOVA Program of Boy Scouts of America

Wolf, Bear or Webelo Scouts:

Join us for an educational experience with Nikki Waters, the owner & operator of Alliance Archaeological Services. We will be focusing on how we learn about our past by finding things buried in the earth. We’ll learn from a professional about the differences between artifacts, ecofacts and biofacts.

Cost is $25* per scout and includes a STEM Nova patch or pii pin, an hour of program developed around this module.
The zoom link will be emailed to you the week of the event.
Registration deadline is Friday, September 25, 2020.

*Additional $5 shipping charge if shipping outside of NYS.

Prerequisites are as follows:

1: Watch an episode or episodes (about an hour total) of a show about anything related to archaeology. Some examples include shows found on PBS (such as NOVA), Discovery Channel, Science Channel, National Geographic Channel, TED Talks (online videos), and the History Channel.

Then do the following:

      A. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
      B. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

2: Complete ONE adventure from the following list, or complete option A or B.

            Wolf Cub Scouts – Collections & Hobbies

            Bear Cub Scouts – Beat of the Drum

            Webelos Scouts – Looking Back, Looking Forward; Project Family

Option A: Some of the objects archaeologists find have been preserved in various ways. Experiment with preserving a hot dog with baking soda. Measure each dimension, then completely surround and cover the hot dog in baking soda. Let it sit in a safe place for seven days and measure again. Then cover the hot dog again, let it sit another seven days, and measure it a third time. Make note of any changes in size, shape, color, and other properties. Compare it to a hot dog that has not been preserved. Discuss your experiment with your counselor. NOTE: DO NOT EAT THE HOT DOG, and make sure to store your experiment in a safe place and dispose of it properly when you are done.

Useful Links: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-mummification/

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/HumBio_p022.shtml

Option B: Use plaster of paris to create a “rock” mold at least half an inch thick. Once it is set, create a dark surface like a patina on the rock, possibly by using tempera paint. Using a carving tool, such as a screw or push pin, to create on or more petroglyphs on your rock. Search online for “plaster of paris petroglyphs” for instructions.