These badge requirements were updated on 22 May 2018. The previous badge requirements can still be used until 31 May 2019, to allow for transition where necessary.
When doing any activity online, make sure you stay safe. You can find resources on how to stay safe online here.
We are partnering with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, an amazing charity specialising in bringing digital making to people all over the world, to develop these badge requirements, new for May 2018. The new badge requirements move away from abstract concepts to use digital skills to solve problems, build resilience, help their communities and express themselves. Take a look at the Raspberry Pi partner page to find out more.
Activity resources have been released to support stages 1, 2 and 3. The activities use a range of easily available kit, and most of them don't require internet access in the meeting place. Some activities use a device called a micro:bit and you can find more information about this here.
These badges can also contribute towards a CREST Award. Find out more here.
Digital Maker - stage 1
In stage 1 you will learn what digital making is and how it fits with Scouting and the wider world.
How to earn your badge:
Show that you know what a computer is and understand that there are lots of uses for digital technology in everyday life. Think about where you see computer systems and technology in your day-to-day life, and about how digital technology helps make things better or easier.
Create a graphic for a computer game, app, or website. This could be a background scene, character, or other image.
Write clear instructions for a computer or person to follow to complete a task.
Top tips
For requirement 2, you could try using a simple drawing tool like the one in Scratch, or use paper and craft materials.
For requirement 3, you could instruct a friend or a computer character to navigate through a maze. If you’ve created a character in requirement 2, you could try writing instructions for them.
Guidance for leaders
Some of the activities require a small number of devices, such as laptops, tablets, or phones; young people should use a device for at least one activity. The more they can get hands-on with technology, the better.
Watch the videos below to see these activities in action.
Digital Maker - stage 2
In stage 2 you will demonstrate that you can complete digital projects which can be used in Scouting activities or in the wider world.
How to earn your badge:
Create a piece of interactive or animated digital art using software.
Create a simple computer program to help with a scouting activity, and try it out.
Make a simple digital creation that uses code to interact with the wider world through inputs (such as buttons or typing on a keyboard) and outputs (such as a computer screen, sound, or lights).
Top tips
For requirement 1, you could create a pixel art character with multiple frames, or use the Paint tool in Scratch to create a character with multiple poses.
For requirement 2, you could use Scratch to make a game that helps you keep score in a wide game, or create a game to count compressions whilst doing CPR for your Emergency Aid Staged Activity Badge for example.
For requirement 3, you could make a musical instrument or games controller using a Makey Makey, or use conductive play dough to make a simple circuit.
You could use the digital art you have created in requirement 1 in either your program for requirement 2 or in your digital creation for requirement 3.
The above are only suggestions, and there are lots more things you can try!
Guidance for leaders
Some of the activities require a small number of devices, such as laptops, tablets, or phones and other low-cost equipment; some don’t need technology.
In stage 3 you will demonstrate that you can use and combine a variety of digital making skills to complete projects that can be used in Scouting activities or in the wider world.
How to earn your badge:
In a coding language of your choice, create a basic program to meet a need of Scouting or your section.
Use a programmable device (such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or micro:bit) with electronic components, code, and appropriate materials to create an electronic gadget and use it in a Scouting activity.
Design and create digital graphics for use as part of one of the above. The elements of the project should all fit within the project’s specific purpose.
Show and present your digital making project, explaining the challenges that you encountered while creating it and how you addressed them.
Top tips
For requirement 1, you could create a basic website for your section or a choose-your-own-adventure story on Scratch, a computer program to choose teams for a game or activity, or write a program for encrypting and decrypting secret messages.
For requirement 2, you could create a micro:bit Morse code compass, or program a robot to avoid obstacles to simulate the search of a disaster area.
The above are only suggestions, and there are lots more things you can try!
In stage 4 you will demonstrate that you can combine a variety of digital making skills to solve a problem or meet a challenge related to Scouting.
How to earn your badge:
Using a combination of programming, digital art, digital devices, electronic components, and other appropriate materials, create something that could serve a purpose in a Scouting activity.
Attend a digital making event and show your work, or help somebody else in your section or another section to work towards a Digital Maker Staged Activity badge.
Top tips
For requirement 1, you could make a nature camera or weather station for your Scout meeting place and use the data in other Scouting activities.
For requirement 2, you could take part in a Raspberry Jam, attend a Code Club, attend a hackathon, or visit a Coderdojo.
You can help others to work towards any stage of their Digital Maker Staged Activity badge. If you are an Explorer Scout Young Leader, supporting Beavers, Cubs, or Scouts with their Digital Maker activities would count for this requirement.
The above are only suggestions, and there are lots more things you can try!
Guidance for leaders
One larger project can be completed to combine all skills, or multiple smaller challenges can be completed. Access to specific devices, components, and materials is likely to be necessary. A section may collaborate on a single project.
Suggested activities coming soon.
Digital Maker - stage 5
In stage 5, you will combine your digital making skills to identify and solve a real problem in the local or global community. You will go through the process of project design from concept, to testing and implementation, and finally to sharing your new knowledge with others.
How to earn your badge:
Identify a real-life local or global problem and design, build, test, and improve a solution by combining your digital making skills and selecting appropriate software tools, digital devices, components, and materials.
Create and share a resource that would allow someone else to replicate your project with minimal previous knowledge. This resource should be digital, and it can be any format you like: a video (or a series!), an online (printable) document, an entry on a tutorials website such as Instructables, a blog post...Or meet with people who could benefit from your solution to share how you created it and explain how it can help them.
Top tips
For requirement 1, you could develop a digital device that makes a Scouting activity accessible to a young person with a disability, or you could design a low-cost educational kit that would allow young people in developing countries to access digital making.
Flexibility
Remember, each young person who participates in the Programme, including badges and awards, should face a similar degree of challenge, and requirements can be adapted according to each young person’s abilities. For more information and practical tips see our guidance on badge and award flexibility.
Previous badge requirements
These requirements will be discontinued on 31 May 2019.
Resources have been developed to support with delivering the digital skills badges, including a jargon buster.
Digital Maker – stage 1
How to earn your badge:
Show that you can identify a computer, the basic components inside a computer and what their purpose is.
Show that you can create instructions for something you do every day such as getting dressed in the morning or making a sandwich.
Design a game:
Use role play to act out how your digital game would work
Play the game with a group of friends and change the rules
Using paper, prototype a game and explain to someone how it works. Note: You could video your explanation
Some Digital Maker stages involve downloading stuff from the internet, which can be risky. Make sure that young people and adults aware of the online safety rules.
Resources: Creative computer modelling Describe and Draw Robot Obstacle Course
Digital Maker – stage 2
How to earn your badge:
Design a robot to do a job done currently by a human. Perhaps a robot to put up a tent or tidy your bedroom.
identify the sensors it will need, such as light, sound and movement sensors
figure out what order the robot will need to complete tasks in
Show you understand that any data stored in a computer (such as text and images) are stored as binary. For example you could change a number into binary; create some pixel art or convert your name to binary.
Design an animation, game, app or electronic project.
For example:
make a cartoon, animation or video of a game using a video camera or other equipment
design a sequence of a game, like a whole game or an in-game puzzle
design a level using craft materials or everyday objects and write out the rules (or pseudo code)
make a circuit using electronic components featuring at least one sensor, such as an automatic night light
Resources: Binary introduction Binary brilliance Binary Code (ACCII) Camp crew How to use Scratch
Digital Maker – stage 3
How to earn your badge:
Write a game or app for a programmable device. You should include:
event conditions (when your game reacts to something that happens)
iteration (when your code or instructions are repeated)
variables (for scoring, health or counting things within the game).
discuss your development and how you overcame any bugs.
Show you understand that sound and video can be stored as data. You could do this by recording and editing sound and/or video.
Design and build:
a digital device with a purpose or
a robot using pre built components, such as the mBot
Resources: Building a CrumbleBot Whack-a-Witch
Digital Maker – stage 4
How to earn your badge:
Set up a home network and connect it to the internet.
Install or run an alternative operating system on a computer. Alternatively, use a ‘Live DVD’ or USB stick.
Design a game:
build a game that includes progression and is fun and interesting to play
get someone else to play and evaluate it
Make a robot using a kit with components that respond to sensor input (for example, a robot that backs away from an object in it's path)
Create a prototype for an app and identify:
the functions it would perform
who the users would be
the purpose
the variables
Resources: Setting up a network with a Raspberry Pi
Digital Maker – stage 5
How to earn your badge:
Install the software to run a web server and host a webpage on a computer or other device. Tools like LAMP, WAMP or Google’s Webserver project for the Raspberry Pi could help you. You can find these for free online.
Make a game or app that serves a purpose. It should:
have a clear objective
be challenging for the user
have a clear sense of progression
keep a score
offer a reward to the user for playing (for example the score could unlock levels or icons)
For an app it should:
have a clear objective
be created for social good
have a clear user journey
Make your own bespoke robot that responds to the environment. For example, a robot that reacts to light, sight or its proximity to other objects.
Flexibility
Each young person who participates in the Programme, including badges and awards, should face a similar degree of challenge, and requirements can be adapted according to each young person’s abilities. For more information and practical tips see our guidance on flexibility.
