Why I am qualified to teach
Computers |
Jerry Dijak is an Electrical Engineer and has been working with computers, of all sizes, since 1965 - when he was in high school and linking up with an IBM System/360 in Chicago. His US Air Force career included periods where he was adapting computerized test equipment for measuring lightning strike effects on aircraft including the F-16 and EF-111A, as well as a research and development period where he was creating new software to perform remote 3-dimensional surface mapping of solid objects using laser beams and digitizing video cameras. He also built a micro computer from a kit in 1977 and designed and built a micro controller system - from a blank sheet of paper in 1989. He also did many projects involving large computer systems while working at First National Bank of Omaha, as well as leading a project to implement "smart cards" (credit card sized computers for customers) at the bank. He has created programs in the following languages over the years: FORTRAN, BASIC, IBM 360 Assembler, Z-80 Assembler, C, C++, Visual Basic, Excel, and Microsoft ACCESS. |
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Prerequisites for this Activity |
There are no prerequisites for attending this course, but the Scout will absorb more if he has reviewed the Computer Merit Badge pamphlet (the 2009 printing is the current version) prior to attending the course. It is an excellent booklet and the Scout should read this either before or after attending the session. We are using the 2010 version of the requirements - as presented on this website. In class we will discuss, and the Scout will have the opportunity to complete, requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8. Outside of class, either before or after the course session, the Scout will need to complete requirements 6, 7, and 9 to fully earn the badge. We may also spend some time in class programming and interacting with a small microprocessor system that will allow the Scouts to see and understand how a most basic microprocessor "does its work" on a register and RAM level (thru a laptop computer link that will be projected). Scouts will complete their class requirements by taking a short written quiz at the end of the class session. Scouts will be allowed to complete requirements by E-Mail correspondence with the counselor after the session, and if any of requirements 6, 7, and 9 are completed prior to the class, those items may be submitted at the class. Scouts not completing all requirements for the badge will receive partial credit for the requirement items they did complete. |