Scouting Alumni STEM Community
Science · Technology · Engineering · Math

STEM Merit Badges

Scouting America's merit badges in science, technology, engineering and math, each with a short description, the badge itself, and a link to the free official pamphlet. Below the list, you'll find how to become a merit badge counselor and share your career with Scouts.

Why merit badges matter

Merit badges let Scouts explore a subject with a real expert. A Scout talks with their unit leader, picks a topic, works through the requirements, and meets with an approved adult counselor who knows the field. Scouting America offers about 140 merit badges. To reach Eagle Scout, a Scout earns 21 in all: 13 from the Eagle-required list, a few of which offer a choice (such as Environmental Science or Sustainability), plus 8 of their own choosing.

A first look at a career

Many alumni trace their engineering, medical, or science careers back to one merit badge and one counselor who took the time to explain their work.

Learning by doing

Scouts don't just read about a subject. They build circuits, test water, write code, survey land, and present what they learned.

A badge for every interest

From robotics and coding to oceanography and veterinary medicine, there's a STEM badge for almost any curiosity, and Environmental Science and Sustainability count toward Eagle.

The STEM merit badges

Badge images and pamphlets from Scouting America

Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity are Scouting America's newest merit badges, launched in October 2025; their pamphlets aren't published yet, so their links go to the official badge pages. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math groupings are ours, for browsing. Pamphlets open as free PDFs from Scouting America; printed copies are sold at Scout Shops.

Become a merit badge counselor

Share what you do with the next generation

If you work in a STEM field, you already have what Scouts need most: real experience. Counselors are volunteers approved by their local council for specific badges. You can counsel as many badges as your background supports, and you don't need to be part of a troop.

  1. Check that you qualify

    Counselors must be at least 18, of good character, and able to work with Scout-age youth. You need the skills and education for each badge you counsel, or must bring in someone who is qualified.

  2. Complete the two forms

    Fill out the Merit Badge Counselor Information form (No. 34405), listing each badge you want to counsel, and an Adult Application using position code 42. Turn both in to your local council. Counselors register with the council, separately from any troop position.

  3. Pay the registration fee if it applies

    Scouting America lists a $25 fee if you aren't already registered in another adult position.

  4. Take Safeguarding Youth training

    Complete Scouting America's Safeguarding Youth training (formerly Youth Protection) in my.scouting.org, attach your certificate to your application, and keep it current.

  5. Get approved for each badge

    Your council or district advancement committee reviews your qualifications and approves you badge by badge. You'll hear from them once you're approved.

  6. Complete counselor training

    Take the Merit Badge Counselor position-specific training in my.scouting.org (free account) and read A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling. Some councils also offer in-person sessions.

  7. Renew every year

    Counselor registration renews annually. You can add or drop badges on the information form at any time.

Rules when you counsel

  • Never meet one-on-one. Each Scout must have a buddy at every session: a parent or guardian, or another Scout plus another registered adult. This applies in person, online, by phone and by text.
  • Two-deep leadership for groups. Group sessions need at least two registered adults, and two-deep supervision requires leaders 21 or older.
  • Start with the unit leader. Before you begin, confirm the Scout has talked with their unit leader about the badge, usually shown by a signed blue card or a Scoutbook connection.
  • Don't change the requirements. Counselors may not add to or remove any requirement.
  • Every Scout does every requirement. When a requirement says show, demonstrate or discuss, each Scout must do it personally. Sitting in a class and watching is not enough.
  • Follow the Guide to Safe Scouting for every activity.
Scouting America counselor guide Counselor Information form (PDF) A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling (PDF)

Requirements can vary slightly by council. Contact your local council's advancement committee to get started. Questions about counseling a STEM badge? Email mike@scoutdude.com.