OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Helps Stillwater Boy Scouts Earn Merit Badges

Monday, March 5, 2018

The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) at Oklahoma State University spent Saturday working with regional Boy Scout troops to earn merit badges in engineering, architecture, fire safety and emergency preparedness.

 Leading the training were were Dean Paul Tikalsky, Assistant Dean Ed Kirtley, Dr. Erick Reynolds, Professor Moh’d Bilbeisi, Head of OSU’s School of Architecture Suzanne Bilbeisi, and Rob Hill. Scouts from Stillwater troops 802, 814, 818 and 820 participated and four of CEAT’s Eagle Scouts, Nolan Hill, Wes Kinsey, Ben Snyder and Gage Strom assisted with the activities.

Suzanne and Moh’d Bilbeisi led the architecture merit badge, teaching the scouts contexts and styles of architecture and what impacts architecture has on society.  During this session they sketched the Edmon Low Library, toured architecture’s daylighting lab and reviewed the construction progress of OSU’s ENDEAVOR lab.

“We had a great time talking to the scouts about the architecture of campus and showing the scouts what a career in architecture is all about” said Suzanne Bilbeisi.

Dean Kirtley and Dr. Reynolds taught the troops fire safety concepts and behaviors.

“Scouts learned about the physics of fire, common causes of house fires, appropriate action to take when a fire occurs and fire safe practices during camping” said Dean Kirtley.  
Scouts also visited a fire station to learn about the role of the fire service in the community.

Dean Tikalsky led the engineering merit badge with Mike Barnett from FLIR Systems introducing the troops to engineering concepts and how engineering is involved in our everyday lives.  Tikalsky and Barnett worked with them to reverse engineer mobile lighting systems, taught them processes involved in manufacturing components and toured CEAT’s Advanced Technology Resource Center.  While touring, the troops learned about different fields of engineering.  
Dr. Reynolds, Director of Oklahoma’s Fire Service Training Program, and Rob Hill, Director of Stillwater Emergency Management taught the scouts about being prepared both in regards of fire safety and emergency preparedness, which included home safety, fire safety and weather safety.

“The motto of Boy Scouting is to “Be Prepared”.  The pursuit of the Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness merit badges helps to accomplish this goal” said Erick Reynolds.

“The scouts loved the experience and saw a giant world of opportunities in life,” said Dean Tikalsky. “Running from the sleeping quarters to the firetruck in 80 seconds, and drawing with Moh’d Bilbeisi were truly highlights.”

PHOTOS:https://www.flickr.com/photos/ostatenews/albums/72157694164266405