Stellar - Research - 250

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Objective:

Use a star guide to identify constellations in the night sky.

Details:

1) Acquire a star guide. A star guide is a book or chart that helps you identify stars/constellations. Do your research to find out what will work best for you, but at Quest Scouts we’ve got our eyes on this book.

2) Location, location, location! If you live in a big city, don’t try this at home! City lights pollute your ability to see the night sky. Wait until you’re in a place relatively free of light pollution to attempt this objective.

3) Spend time looking for and identifying constellations. Remember, this research objective is worth a good amount of points, so take your time and be through!

4) Report back!

Where and when did you conduct your constellation finding adventure?
What did you use as your star guide?
What constellations were you able to identify?

Stellar - Visit - 300

Objective:

Take a trip to an instrument designed to show you a view of the stars.

Details:

1) For this objective, we want you to take in a view of the stars. Identify either a planetarium or an observatory you’d like to visit.

2) Visit!

If you choose to visit a planetarium, make sure to take in a show related to space. (No laser light shows! Although those are pretty cool…)

If you choose to visit an observatory, be sure to visit when it is open to the public, and take a tour inside. You should find yourself in a situation to learn about the workings of the telescope, and may even get a chance to look through it! Make sure to ask lots of questions while you’re there.

3) While on your adventure, collect three interesting facts or observations. Report your facts/observations in the comments below.

4) Take a photo of yourself in front of the planetarium or observatory. Post it on Instagram or Twitter with the tag #QuestScouts. You can also share your experiences in our Facebook group.

Stellar - Visit - 300

Objective:

Check out a piece of equipment that has previously been used in space travel.

Details:

1) Identify a location where you can view a piece of equipment that has been used in space. Do your best to make your outing as space focused as possible! If you’ve got a space museum within driving distance, PLEASE OH PLEASE go for that! We want you to have the most stellar experience possible. If you don’t have a museum dedicated to space, this objective will be a bit more tricky. In this case, find any location that will allow you to view at least one manmade artifact that has been used in space. Anything from a spaceship to an astronauts leftover dinner will work!

2) Travel to your space artifact(s).

3) Take a photo of yourself with the space artifact and post it on Instagram or Twitter with the tag #QuestScouts. Alternatively, you can also share your photo in our Facebook group.

4) In the comments below, describe your experience. Where did you go? Who did you go with? Did you have a good time? Describe the piece(s) of equipment you were able to view. What were they used for?

Stellar - Travel - 300


Objective:

Identify, travel to and view a meteorite or an impact crater.

Details:

1) An impact crater is the depression a meteorite leaves when it falls to earth. Check out this impact map to identify the nearest few exposed impact crater to you. Then, look up the sites to find out whether or not you might feasibly visit one.

Note: Please do this step even if you choose to visit a meteorite.

2) If you decide to visit an impact crater, great! Skip to number five. However, while it would be AWESOME to visit an impact site, many of you will find it difficult to get to one. Therefore, you might want to go for the next best thing…

3) (Optional) A meteorite is a meteor (full or partial) that makes it through the earth’s atmosphere. If you’d like to learn more about meteorites check out this video from The Brain Scoop. (Come on, don’t skip it! Lets LEARN something new. It’s worth your time!)

4) Identify the site of a meteorite on display that you’d like to visit.

Important Note: We’re not looking for a meteorite in a collector’s house, but rather something ON PUBLIC DISPLAY, either in a museum or other public space.

Examples include:

This meteorite display at UCLA, California

This huge guy at The Museum of Natural History in New York

The Meteorite Museum at The University of New Mexico

The World’s Largest Meteorite in Namibia

5) Visit your meteorite or impact crater! Make sure to take note of 1-3 interesting things you’ve learned about meteorites or impact craters while on your adventure.

6) Create and share a field report!
Please make sure to mention the following in your report:

-Your research leading up to your adventure. Please include which meteorite(s) are closest to you and why you could, or could not, visit it/them.
-The location of the crater or the location your meteorite was found.
-If applicable, the type and makeup of your meteorite.
-A description of the day (Who you were with, what was the weather like…)
-What you liked about your adventure.
-What, if anything, you found challenging about your adventure.
-Anything else you think we might find interesting!

Post your field report in the comments below.

7) Take a photo while at your impact site or meteorite display and post it on Instagram or Twitter with the tag #QuestScouts. Alternatively, you can also share your photo in our Facebook group.

 

Stellar - Literature - 300

Objective:

Choose and read an "out of this world" book from our reading list.

Details:

1) Choose and read a space themed book from the list provided.

Quest Scouts “Galactic” Reading List:

Non-Fiction

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetteryly

Apollo in the Age of Aquarius by Neil M. Maher

First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen

Fiction

Foundation by Issac Asimov

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Saga: Book 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
Notes: (1) WARNING: These graphic novels contain depictions of sex and drugs. While highly acclaimed, please take care of yourself and choose something else if those topics don’t appeal to you. (2) Don’t confuse the “book” with the “trade paperbacks.” Book 1 is #1-18 of the trade paperbacks and totals over 500 pages. Read whatever form, just make sure to read them all.

2) Check out the book from you local library, buy it at your local bookstore or get it on Amazon.

3) Read the book! (Listening to the audio version is ok too!)

4) Write a short book review and post it in the comments below. Include the title, author, and things that you liked or disliked about the book. If you read a non-fiction book, also include 3 things you learned while reading. 

Stellar - Media - 150

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Objective:

Watch one of the space themed documentaries from the list provided.

Details:

1) Watch one of the space themed movies or documentaries listed below.

2) Let us know which you watched and what you thought of it in the comments below.

Hidden Figures (Ok, ok… Even though this isn’t a “documentary,” we think it’s worth adding to the list anyway!)

Fowl Play Micro Objective - Art - 50

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Quest Scouts inspires your to squeeze the most out of life while collecting real-life, physical badges. 

Objective:

Create "Index Card Art" inspired by the provided prompt.

Details:

This micro quest is part of our ongoing series, "index card art." We chose index cards for two reasons. First, index cards are inexpensive cheap and readily available. We don't expect that it will be difficult for any of you to procure an index card. Second, many who don't consider themselves "artists" tend to stress about creating or sharing art. Using an index card instead of a sketch book lends itself to silliness. Have fun with the prompt! We're not looking for perfection, just a good time. You can save your index cards and look back at them over time, or throw them away. The choice is up to you!

1) Gather your supplies. You'll need an index card (4x6 or 5x7) and something to draw with. (Pencil, pen, markers... you get the point!)

2) Interpret the prompt below to make your index card art.

Ruffled Feathers

 

3) Take a photo of your Index Card Art and post it on Instagram or Twitter with the tags #QuestScouts and #NotecardArt. Alternatively, you can also share your photo in our Facebook group.

 

Fowl Play Micro Objective - Media - 50

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Quest Scouts inspires your to squeeze the most out of life while collecting real-life, physical badges. 

Objective:

Listen to Do Scarecrows Scare Crows from Every Little Thing.

Details:

1) Head over to Every Little Thing and listen to Do Scarecrows Scare Crows?

2) In the comments below, answer the following questions:

-What did you think of Do Scarecrows Scare Crows? Was it interesting? Entertaining? Thought provoking? Why? 

-Imagine you’re an inventor with unlimited resources. What features would you add to (or subtract from) the traditional scarecrow to make it more effective.

 

Fowl Play Micro Objective- Research - 50

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Quest Scouts inspires your to squeeze the most out of life while collecting real-life, physical badges. 

Objective:

Check out the Audubon Society. Which chapter most accessible to you? What events are scheduled in the coming months?

Details:

1) Like Fowl Play’s travel objective, this micro objective asks you to check out your local Audubon Society chapter.

2) Some chapters have their own websites, while others have only a Facebook page. Find out what events, if any, your chapter offers. If you don’t see a list of events readily available, ask!

Why are we doing this? Our hope is that in learning what events are available to you, you’ll in turn know whether or not attending such an event appeals to you.

3) In the comments below, share with us what you learned.

Fowl Play Micro Objective - Media - 50

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Quest Scouts inspires your to squeeze the most out of life while collecting real-life, physical badges. 

Objective:

Listen to The Feather Heist from This American Life.

Details:

1) Head over to This American Life and listen to The Feather Heist.

Note: Make sure you listen to all seven acts.

2) In the comments below, answer the following questions:

-What did you think of The Feather Heist? Was it interesting? Entertaining? Thought provoking? Why? 

-If you were in charge, what punishment, if any, would Edwin Rist face for his crime?

 

Up In Flames Micro Objective - Research - 50

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Quest Scouts inspires your to squeeze the most out of life while collecting real-life, physical badges. 

Objective:

Spend some time researching fire starting techniques.

Details:

1) Spend 15+ minutes researching fire starting techniques. You could research survivalist fire starting, or simply the most efficient way to start a campfire.

2) When you’re through with your research, post something you learned from your research in the comments below.

Fowl Play - Travel - 300

“I think the most important quality in a birdwatcher is a willingness to stand quietly and see what comes. Our everyday lives obscure a truth about existence - that at the heart of everything there lies a stillness and a light.” 

-Lynn Thomson

Objective:

Set off for a day of birding.

Details:

1) Watch Birdwatching for Beginners with Barbara Hannah Gufferman and Two Tips for Beginner Birdwatchers from Stefano Ianiro.

2) (Optional) If you feel that you’d like a more thorough introduction, watch The National Geographic Guide to Birding in North America.

3) Find the Audubon Society chapter closest to you. Some chapters have their own websites, while others have only a Facebook page.

4) With help of the Audubon Society, learn about the “Birding Hotspots” in your area. Note: Please do not skip this step.

5) From this list you gathered with the help of the Audubon Society, choose an area to go birding in.

6) Gather your supplies. At the least, you’ll need a bird field guide for your area and a method for recording information.

7) Go birding! Head out for an afternoon (at least one hour) of birding. Do your best to identify and record each bird that you see. (At a minimum, make sure to identify at least one bird with your guide.)

8) Create and share a field report!
Please make sure to mention the following in your report:

-Your local Audubon Chapter
-Where you went birding
-A description of the day (Who you were with, the weather…)
-A list of birds you saw (At least one, and hopefully more, identified with your guide.)
-What you like(d) about birding
-What you found challenging about birding

Post your field report in the comments below.

9) Take a photo while out birding and post it on Instagram or Twitter with the tag #QuestScouts. Alternatively, you can also share your photo in our Facebook group.

 

Fowl Play - Visit - 300

Objective:

Head to a natural history museum and search for their bird collection.

Details:

1) Identify a natural history museum you’d like to visit. Make sure to do a bit of research and make sure the museum you choose has a collection of birds on display.

2) Visit the natural history museum and head to their bird collection. Spend more time with the bird collection than you normally might, focusing on the birds in detail. If there is information available about these birds, make sure to read it!

3) While in the museum, collect three interesting facts or observations. Report your facts/observations in the comments below.

5) Take a photo of yourself in front of the bird collection to document your experience. (Note: If, and only if, photography isn’t permitted, choose an alternative photo opportunity.) Post it on Instagram or Twitter with the tag #QuestScouts. You can also share your experiences in our Facebook group.

Fowl Play - Visit - 300

Objective:

Check out an aviary or feed/hold a bird at a zoo.

Details:

1) Identify an aviary OR a zoo with an aviary. An aviary is a large enclosure. For the purposes of this objective, the aviary should allow the public to enter the aviary, leaving no fencing between you and the birds. (There may be areas where you cannot walk, but there should be no cage between you and the birds.) While some aviaries stand alone, many are attached to zoos.

2) Travel to and enter the aviary! If the aviary allows you to feed or hold the birds, do it!

3) Take a photo of yourself while inside the aviary and post it on Instagram or Twitter with the tag #QuestScouts. Alternatively, you can also share your photo in our Facebook group.

4) In the comments below, describe your experience. Where did you go? Who did you go with? Describe the bird habitat within the aviary. What type of birds existed within the aviary? How close were you to the birds? Did you feed or hold the birds?

Fowl Play - Research - 200

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Objective:

Dissect an owl pellet.

Details:

1) Watch How Bird Vomit Helps Us Understand History from The Brain Scoop and The Amazing Owls: Pellet Dissection from The Audubon Society.

2) (Optional) If you’re interested in a more detailed dissection tutorial, check out How to Dissect an Owl Pellet from Scott Brooks.

3) Aquire your supplies. At a minimum, you’ll need an owl pellet and an identification sheet. You can get them at Pellets.com, Amazon, or, ya know, somewhere else. There are a ton of identification sheets available online, but if you don’t want to search for your favorite this one from Nature Watch seems solid.

4) Dissect your owl pellet.

5) Sort and identify the bones you found using your identification sheet.

6) Take a photo to document your experience and post it on Instagram or Twitter with the tag #QuestScouts. Alternatively, you can also share your photo in our Facebook group.
Note: Owl pellet dissection won’t be everyone’s jam, as while interesting it’s also kinda gross. Some scouts will choose not to do this objective for that reason. Out of respect, let’s try to share photos that won’t make the more squeamish scouts queasy.

7) In the comments below, describe your experience. Where did you get your pellet? What was the process of dissection like for you? What bones did you identify? Could you tell what animal they were from?

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