Computer Fun Badge
For Junior Girl Scouts

The computer is a great tool for doing schoolwork and hobbies. Computers help you work faster and smarter. Knowing how to use a computer is essential in most jobs, now and into the future. This badge will help you prepare.

Note: This badge was written in a way that allows you to do it without going online. However, since you are here, you will get some Internet resources and links. If you plan on going online for this badge, you must read and sign the Internet Safety Pledge, whether you do the first activity or not.

Complete at least six out of 11 activities.

1. Get Set Up

If you have a computer at home, this is a must! Read about how to "stay tuned up" in the "Explore and Discover" chapter of your Junior Girl Scout Handbook. Evaluate your computer ergonomics. Create a healthier work environment for yourself and for others who use the computer.

Read the Internet Safety Pledge online or in the "How to Stay Safe" chapter of the handbook and make sure you and your family sign it.

2. Just the Basics

Learn how to do basic computer operations. Demonstrate your ability to do the following:

• Create a document using a word processing program.
• Save a document.
• Add numbers or bullets to a list.
• Use the spell-check function.
• Print out stored information.

3. Computer Artist

You can be an artist using the computer. Use graphics or photo software to do one of the following:

• Create an illustration or design that can be saved and inserted into a document or used as a screensaver.
• Learn to rotate, crop, size, sharpen, and brighten a photo from a scanned or digital file.

After you have your picture, you could:

• Illustrate something you have written.
• Use it as a screensaver.
• Use it in a larger product, such as a quilt or memory book.

Add artwork to your words by experimenting with these steps:

1. Check on the menu bar for a command that will let you place, import, or insert, an image or picture. Look through the images that are included in your software for illustrations for your writing. Remember: The image you pick will appear wherever your cursor was last located in your document.



2. Use a drawing, painting or presentation program to create original artwork (one is probably included in your software package). Usually such programs work by clicking on a letter icon to write and on a paintbrush or pencil icon to draw.



3. Create!!! Part of the fun of art programs is figuring out how all the different tools work. Play with color, patterns, and shapes. Make your picture larger or smaller. Learn how to erase what you don't like. Try importing a piece of clip art (a ready-made picture) and then changing it, using this software.



4. It helps to have a color printer to see your artwork in color. If you don't have one, you can print a black-and-white version of your picture and color it in with colored markers or pencils. HINT: If you're going to color your picture using markers, don't fill it in using the computer before you print it. You want it to look like a coloring book outline, not like a finished picture!

Saving a Picture as a Screensaver

A screensaver is the picture that appears on your computer when it is on and not being used. Most basic computer operating systems (like Microsoft Windows) come with a selection of screensavers you can use to customize the opening screen. Many sites on the Internet let you download a screensaver that features a favorite character, hobby, or place. It is also possible to turn a favorite picture into a screensaver if you have scanned it and saved it as an electronic file. Just be sure that your computer can handle the size of the file you are downloading or saving, especially if there is animation. Sometimes elaborate screensavers can slow down the speed of a computer. It is best to learn to download a picture or screensaver with someone who is familiar with your computer and knows where to save the file.

Helpful Hints

Your computer should always check any downloaded file or attachment for viruses before you open it. Ask an adult to show you how to do this. Never open attachments from complete strangers.

4. Desktop Publishing

Create a newsletter on your computer. Include a theme, a banner headline, columns, text wrapping, clip art or pictures, boxed text, and page numbers. Save it and print it for others to read.

Helpful Hints

Publishing involves both "layout" and duplication. Layout refers to putting words and images together on a page so that they relate to each other. Duplication is the reproduction of the page.

Quite a few software programs help with layout. However, many word processing programs also have some layout capabilities. This activity will show you how to create a simple layout.

How to Publish a Newsletter

1. Using your word processor, write a paragraph about each member of your family. Or tell about your Girl Scout troop/group or an after-school club. Hint: Save each person's paragraph as a separate file or document.



2. Open a new document. See if your word processor has a newsletter template. If it does, you can just paste your articles into the template.
   
   OR
   
   Using the Tables function on the main menu, divide the blank page into different columns. You might want one column for each person in the group. Or you might want one column for the grownups and another for the kids. Don't forget to leave room at the top for a title or masthead for your newsletter.
   
3. Cut and paste the different paragraphs into the columns.
   
   Hint: These commands are under the Edit menu in Microsoft Word.



4. Experiment with different sizes and styles of fonts for your title and text (rest of the words).



5. Place or paste pictures or clip art.



6. Experiment with the position of the pictures. Try them out in different places on the page to see where you like them best. Try making some of the text wrap around a picture. Learn how to use the Frame command to create space for pictures or feature words.
   
   Hint: A picture or a frame is anchored on the page where your cursor is placed when you insert it. If your picture or frame suddenly disappears, you have probably deleted the anchor. Just use the edit or redo function.



7. Always save your work before printing it.



8. Share your newsletter with others!

5. Fun and Games

Help put on a demonstration of computer games and software for your troop or a group of younger girls. Select the games or software for content, the age of the participants, educational value, and enjoyment.

6. Review the Products

Be a computer software reviewer. Pick out at least two software programs to review that were written for kids. Compare your evaluation with that of the experts in a software review magazine. How are the reviews the same as or different from yours? Would you use reviews to help choose software? Why or why not ?

7. Get Practical

Use a software program to do something that will save you time, teach you something, or get organized. Check out additional ideas for this activity in the section about getting connected in the "Explore and Discover" chapter of your Junior Girl Scout Handbook.

8. What's Available?

Visit a computer store. Compare different kinds of personal computing systems. Ask someone to help you determine the basic options for a family computer, including printers and other hardware. Don't forget to compare the costs. Decide which system would be the best for you.

OR

Read at least three computer magazines. Decide what information would be helpful to your family if you were going to purchase, upgrade, or expand the usefulness of a computer.

Helpful Hints

Your local library probably has many computer magazines and its worth a visit, however, the really cool thing about being online and completing this badge is that you can find computer magazines or 'zines on the Net.

Don't believe everything you read online. Find out about who publishes the 'zine or electronic magazine. Is it owned by a company that makes computer equipment? Does it rely on real product users? Does the company give more than its own pricing?

9. On the Job

Interview four different people and find out how they use computers in their jobs.

10. Comparison Shopping

Find out about the different products that people use to conduct business, stay connected, or hook up to the Internet when they are away from their offices.

11. It's All Code

Using your computer, create a secret code that you can use to communicate with another person. (Note: This activity is not in the Junior Girl Scout Badge Book and it can only be found online.)

Did you know that computers use codes? Everything on your computer gets "translated" into a series of 0s and 1s. Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a combination of 0s and 1s. It's called "binary code." Computers understand this language. When your computer "reads" the code, it follows the directions you have given it.

Can you figure out what the binary code on the Computer Fun Badge says?

Hint: Check out this chart on Binary Code. Can you figure out the pattern?

Adapted from Junior Girl Scout Badge Book, © 2001 by Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

Note: Participation patches must be worn on the back of the uniform only.

Girl Scout badges, patches, awards, and other insignia that are earned for the accomplishment of skill-building activities or any set requirements should be presented, worn, or displayed only after Girl Scouts have completed the requirements outlined in the appropriate program materials.

All insignia are owned by Girl Scouts of the United States of America and are protected by law for use by GSUSA. None of the insignia may be copied, duplicated, or reproduced without prior express written authorization from Girl Scouts of the USA. All rights reserved.