Academics - Mathematics

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CUB SCOUT ACADEMICS: MATHEMATICS

Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may complete requirements in a family, den, pack, school, or community environment. Tiger Cubs must work with their parents or adult partners. Parents and partners do not earn loops or pins.  


REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MATHEMATICS ACADEMICS BELT LOOP

Complete these three requirements:
  1. Do five activities within your home or school that require the use of mathematics. Explain to your den how you used everyday math.
  2. Keep track of the money you earn and spend for three weeks.
  3. Measure five items using both metric and nonmetric measures. Find out about the history of the metric system of measurement.


REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MATHEMATICS ACADEMICS PIN

Earn the Mathematics beft loop, and complete one from each of the five areas below:
  1. Geometry is related to measurement but also deals with objects and positions in space.
    1. Many objects can be recognized by their distinctive shapes: a tree, a piece of broccoli, a violin. CoBect 12 items that can be recognized, classified, and labeled by their distinctive shape or outline.
    2. Select a single shape or figure. Observe the world around you for at least a week and keep a record of where you see this shape or figure and how it is used.
    3. Study geometry in architecture by exploring your neighborhood or community. Look at different types of buildings-houses, churches, businesses, etc.-and create a presentation (a set of photographs, a collage of pictures from newspapers and magazines, a model) that you can share with your den or pack to show what you have seen and learned about shapes in architecture.

  2. Calculating is adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers.
    1. Learn how an abacus or slide rule works and teach it to a friend or to your den or pack.
    2. Go shopping with an adult and use a calculator to add up how much the items you buy will cost. See whether your total equals the total at check out.
    3. Visit a bank and have someone there explain to you about how interest works. Use the current interest rate and calculate how much interest different sums of money will earn.

  3. Statistics is collecting and organizing numerical information and studying patterns.
    1. Explain the meaning of these statistical words and tools: data, averaging, tally marks, bar graph, line graph, pie chart, and percentage.
    2. Conduct an opinion survey through which you collect data to answer a question, and then show your results with a chart or graph. For instance: What is the favorite food of the Cub Scouts in your pack (chart how many like pizza, how many like hamburgers, etc.).
    3. Study a city newspaper to find as many examples as you can of statistical information.
    4. Learn to use a computer spreadsheet

  4. Probability helps us know the chance or likelihood of something happening.
    1. Explain to your den how a meteorologist or insurance company (or someone else) might use the mathematics of probability to predict what might happen in the future (i.e., the chance that it might rain, or the chance that someone might be in a car accident).
    2. Conduct and keep a record of a coin toss probability experiment.
    3. Guess the probability of your sneaker landing on its bottom, top, or side, and then ffip it 100 times to find out which way it lands. Use this probability to predict how a friend's sneaker will land.

  5. Measuring is using a unit to express how long or how big something is, or how much of it there is.
    1. Interview four adults in different occupations to see how they use measurement in their jobs.
    2. Measure how tall someone is. Have them measure you.
    3. Measure how you use your time by keeping a diary or log of what you do for a week. Then make a chart or graph to display how you spend your time.
    4. Measure, mix, and cook at least two recipes. Share your snacks with family, friends, or your den.



GENERAL ACADEMICS REQUIREMENTS

Following are the requirements for earning the Academics belts loops and pins.

Remember:

  • Belt loops and pins are earned only by Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts (not adults).
  • Requirements may be adjusted to accommodate the special needs of boys with disabilities.
  • Webelos Scouts may earn a belt loop or pin a second time to qualify for Webelos activity badges.
  • Boys may earn belt loops more than once; however, leaders should encourage boys to try different requirements and earn the pin. Packs should have a clear policy in place about whether the pack or the boy's family is responsible for the cost of awards earned more than once.


CUB-SAFE MATHEMATICS RESOURCES FOR KIDS

  1. Mathematics with Alice - takes you on a course through Mathematics with the help of Alice, the girl in Lewis Carroll's stories. Includes a biography of Carroll as well as math tips and problems.
  2. MacTutor History of Mathematics - a collection of interesting facts about math history, including biographies of famous mathematicians.
  3. Egyptian Mathematics - learn how to read and write the seven different symbols the Egyptians used to solve math problems.
  4. Behold! The First 999 Factorials - list of the factorials for numbers 0 through 999 from the Fun With Number Page.
  5. Roman Numerals 101 - learn how the Romans used seven letters to express all their numbers.
  6. Binary - 0 to 1 and Back Again - basic explanation of binary numbers.
  7. Binary Number System - explanation of this system used by computers to send a series of electrical signals representing information in a special pattern of 0s and 1s.
  8. Binary Numbers - scientific explanation of binary numbers, how to represent them, and how to add them.
  9. A+ Math - build your basic math skills with games, flashcards, and homework help.
  10. Ask Dr. Math - math questions answered!
  11. Audio Math Table Generator - enter any number into this calculator and get its written and spoken multiplication table.
  12. Flash - test your knowledge of math with this cool game from Megakids. Chose addition, subtraction, division, or multiplication and find out how fast you can solve the tables!
  13. Flashcards for Kids - create your own flashcards for addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problems. You choose the difficulty and the size of the numbers, and the site does the rest!
  14. Math Forum - math news, notes, links and more. Check out the problems of the week!
  15. Math League Help Topics - this is a help resource for 4th through 8th graders. You'll find help with whole numbers, decimals, integers, and probability, plus an introduction to algebra.
  16. Newton's Method - get online solutions to algebra problems.
  17. On-line Calculator - enter the equation you want to evaluate, and it's done. For more advanced types of math.
  18. Scale Modeler's Calculator - ever wonder how tall you'd have to be to fit behind the wheel of your model car? Find out here!
 

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