STEM Program - Michigan Crossroads Council

09/23/2026

You have until October 1 - for the Military Service & Veterans Test Lab

Military Service & Veterans Overview
Honoring Service. Understanding Sacrifice. Inspiring Leadership.

The Military Service & Veterans Badge invites Scouts to explore the values, history, and human stories behind military service. Designed to deepen understanding and foster respect, this badge connects Scouts with the heritage of our Armed Forces and the individuals who have served our nation with courage and commitment.

Through hands-on learning, meaningful conversations, and active community involvement, Scouts develop a richer appreciation for service, leadership, peace, and patriotism.

Skills > Merit Badges > Scouts BSA Test Lab > Back to: Scouts BSA Test Lab Test Lab NOTICE These test lab requirements are available for Scouts until October 1, 2026. At that time, these requirements will disappear and the surveys will be closed. Learn more About the Test Lab. Military Service & Vet...

08/26/2026

We need Volunteers! Let me know if you’d like to help with STEM Activities. @

🚨 A Scout Tradition Like No Other! 🚨
📅 September 18-20, 2026
📍 Camp Grayling

Join hundreds of Scouts and families from across Michigan for a weekend of tradition, teamwork, and unforgettable fun with the Michigan Army National Guard!

🎯 Military Displays, Target Sports, Drones, Inflatables, Climbing Wall and much more!
⛺ Stay in the camp barracks with your unit.
🎉 Celebrate the inaugural Rendezvous in true Scouting style!
🚀 Spots are limited—REGISTER TODAY!
👉 https://michiganscouting.org/operation-rendezvous/

The countdown is on. Will you be part of the adventure?
Open to Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA

08/06/2026

Come check out our STEM Partners at Adventure Point August 12th and at Operation Rendezvous in September. https://michiganscouting.org/drone-derby/

07/01/2026

🌌✨ Set your alarm for August 12, 2026—a stunning planetary parade will grace the pre-dawn sky!

Before sunrise, six planets will line up across the horizon. Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn should be visible without any equipment, while Uranus and Neptune can be spotted with binoculars or a small telescope under clear, dark skies.

The planets will stretch from the eastern horizon toward the southwest, creating an impressive celestial display. The ideal time to watch is 60–90 minutes before your local sunrise, when the sky is still dark but beginning to brighten.

For the best view, head to a location with an unobstructed eastern horizon and as little light pollution as possible. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness and consider using a stargazing app to help identify each planet.

Source/Credit: Astronomical observing forecasts and planetary ephemeris data for August 2026.

Shared for informational and educational purposes only.
The accompanying image is AI-generated and intended as an artistic illustration, not an exact representation of the sky.

06/10/2026

Scouting America today announced a new five-year partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aimed at advancing the development of America’s next generation STEM workforce through immersive, hands-on educational experiences. This collaboration will connect young people across the country with real-world learning opportunities centered on space exploration, aeronautics, and STEM: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Through this partnership, NASA will support Scouting America’s national and local programming efforts, helping to create engaging, mission-aligned educational experiences that introduce youth to cutting-edge STEM concepts and future career pathways. Programs will emphasize experiential learning, allowing Scouts to explore topics such as engineering design, robotics, space science, and Earth systems through interactive activities inspired by NASA’s missions.

“Scouting America has always been committed to preparing young people for life by fostering curiosity, leadership, and problem-solving,” said Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America. “Partnering with NASA elevates this mission by providing unparalleled access to the wonders of space exploration and the science behind it. Together, we are inspiring the innovators and explorers of tomorrow.”

As part of the collaboration, Scouting America will integrate NASA-themed content and expertise into its programs, including merit badge curricula, learning modules, and special events. Local councils will have opportunities to engage with NASA centers, scientists, and engineers, bringing authentic STEM experiences directly to communities nationwide.

This isn’t the first time Scouting America and NASA have worked together. The agencies also collaborated to support the Artemis II program by using its missions as a powerful platform for youth education and inspiration. By connecting young people to NASA’s goal of returning humans to the Moon and eventually traveling to Mars, Scouting America is helping inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers while reinforcing its broader mission of character development and leadership.

The partnership will roll out in phases over the coming year, with pilot programs launching in select regions and expanding nationwide. Together, Scouting America and NASA aim to ignite curiosity, strengthen STEM competencies, and open doors to future opportunities for millions of young people across the United States.

Read the full press release 👇

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/scouting-america-announces-strategic-partnership-100000149.html

05/01/2026

🌌🚀 is celebrated on the first Friday in May to honor the extraordinary achievements, benefits, and opportunities in space exploration.

Today we highlight Jim Lovell, an Eagle Scout whose calm leadership helped save the lives of the Apollo 13 crew. When an oxygen tank exploded in 1970, Lovell and his team faced dwindling power, limited water, and rising carbon monoxide. Thanks to quick thinking and teamwork, Apollo 13 safely splashed down after nearly six days in space. 🌍✨

Lovell (Eagle Class of 1943) was a veteran of four spaceflights and a strong supporter of Scouting. He served as Chairman of the National Eagle Scout Association Board of Regents for 10 years and received many top honors, including:
🦅 Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (1990)
🦅 NESA Distinguished Service Award (2023)
🦅 Silver Buffalo Award (1992)

Learn more about his incredible story here: https://youtu.be/7EP0qaBo-tc

We are saddened by the passing of Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell at the age of 97.Jim Lovell was a veteran of the Gemini VII and Gemini XII missions before beco...

04/13/2026

𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦

International Dark Sky Week is April 13-20. Come out and celebrate with For-Mar! Naturalist-led stations will include hikes, star stories, and night sky trivia. The hikes will be about 20-25 minutes long and will include a steep hill. This program is part of our For-Mar Earth Week Series.

Best for ages 10 and older.
Please leave pets and comfort animals at home.
Cost: $5 per vehicle

Pre-registration is per vehicle and required by 4/16/2026
Register here: https://geneseecountyparks.org/calendar/ #/events/xbkZGaOrGz/instances/tRi5DsvWHv/

04/13/2026

International Dark Sky Week starts today. Northern Michigan is a great place to take in all that the cosmos has to offer! We are fortunate in Cross Village to have a front-row seat to some amazing views of the Northern Lights.

04/11/2026

STEM at the University of Michigan - Museum of Natural History

04/10/2026