Cub Scout Mathematics
Belt Loop and Pin
Mathematics Academics Belt Loop
The Cub Scout Mathematics belt loop and pin are a part of the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program. Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts may earn this award in a Family, Den, Pack, school, or community setting. Tiger Cubs must be always accompanied by their Adult partner.
Belt Loop Requirements
Complete these three requirements:
- Do five activities within your home or school that require the use of mathematics. Explain to your den how you used everyday math.
- Keep track of the money you earn and spend for three weeks.
- Measure five items using both metric and non metric measures. Find out about the history of the metric system of measurement.
Academics Pin Requirements
Earn the Mathematics belt loop, and complete one from each of the five areas below:
I. Geometry is related to measurement but also deals with objects and positions in space.
- Many objects can be recognized by their distinctive shapes: a tree, a piece of broccoli, a violin. Collect 12 items that can be recognized, classified, and labeled by their distinctive shape or outline.
- 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.
- 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.
II. Calculating is adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers.
- Learn how an abacus or slide rule works and teach it to a friend or to your den or pack.
- 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.
- 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.
III. Statistics is collecting and organizing numerical information and studying patterns.
- Explain the meaning of these statistical words and tools: data, averaging, tally marks, bar graph, line graph, pie chart, and percentage.
- 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.).
- Study a city newspaper to find as many examples as you can of statistical information.
- Learn to use a computer spreadsheet
IV. Probability helps us know the chance or likelihood of something happening.
- 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).
- Conduct and keep a record of a coin toss probability experiment.
- Guess the probability of your sneaker landing on its bottom, top, or side, and then flip it 100 times to find out which way it lands. Use this probability to predict how a friend's sneaker will land.
V. Measuring is using a unit to express how long or how big something is, or how much of it there is.
- Interview four adults in different occupations to see how they use measurement in their jobs.
- Measure how tall someone is. Have them measure you.
- 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.
- Measure, mix, and cook at least two recipes. Share your snacks with family, friends, or your den.
| The official source for the information shown in this article or section is:|
Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide, 2003 Edition (BSA Supply No. 34299)
Help with these requirements
| A FREE workbook for Cub Scout Mathematics is available here! |
with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need!
|meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of|
Boy Scout merit badge workbooks,
Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.
- Earning the Cub Scout Mathematics Belt Loop while a Webelos Scout is requirement 7 of the Webelos Scholar Activity Badge.
- Earning the Cub Scout Mathematics Belt Loop while a Webelos Scout is requirement 10 of the Webelos Engineer Activity Badge.
- Details on earning a Cub Scout Sports or Academic pin or belt loop multiple times
Related achievements, electives, or other awards
- Tiger Cub Scout
- Tiger Cub Electives
- Elective 12. could be met while completing Cub Scout Mathematics Belt Loop requirement 1
- Elective 50. could be met while completing Cub Scout Mathematics Pin requirement II.3
- Engineer Activity Badge requirement 10. (earn the Cub Scout Mathematics Belt Loop while a Webelos Scout)
- Scholar Activity Badge requirement 7. (earn the Cub Scout Mathematics Belt Loop while a Webelos Scout)
- Cub Scout Computers Pin requirement 4 could be used to complete Cub Scout Mathematics Pin requirement III.4