Investiture Achievement/Voyager/Nature Study

Standard Level

Requirement 1a

Read a book or at least four articles on Intelligent Design in nature.

Suggested books and sources of books and articles:

• Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design Dr. Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in the philosophy of science. A former geophysicist and college professor, he now directs the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute in Seattle. In 2004, Meyer ignited a firestorm of media and scientific controversy when a biology journal at the Smithsonian Institution published his peer-reviewed scientific article advancing intelligent design.
• Geoscience Research Institute
• Discovery Institute
• Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science and Theologyby William A. Dembski. Although the fast-growing movement has gained considerable grassroots support, many scientists and theologians remain skeptical about its merits. Scientists worry that it's bad science (merely creationism in disguise) and theologians worry that it's bad theology (misunderstanding divine action). In this book William Dembski addresses these concerns and brilliantly argues that intelligent design provides a crucial link between science and theology.

Requirement 1b

Do one of the following: Review the story of Nicodemus and relate it to the lifecycle of the butterfly. Draw a lifecycle chart of the caterpillar giving the spiritual significance. Watch a video relating to Intelligent Design and discuss its spiritual significance.

Option 1: Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, who, according to the Gospel of John, showed favor to Jesus. He appears three times: the first is when he visits Jesus one night to listen to his teachings (John 3:1–21); the second is when he states the law concerning the arrest of Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:45–51); and the last follows the Crucifixion, when he assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the corpse of Jesus for burial (John 19:39–42). The John 3 verses are what this requirement is referencing.

Option 2: Life cycle of a caterpillar.

Option 3: YouTube is a good source, but choose wisely.

Ben Stein's "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" on YouTube or [1] is a movie about the freedom of speech suppression to which Intelligent Design proponents are being subjected to by the atheistic American academic dictatorship. Stein is a Jew who believes in Intelligent Design much the same way that Adventists do.

"Intelligent Design Collection - Darwin's Dilemma, The Privileged Planet, Unlocking the Mystery of Life" (2011)

DNA By Design (2010) by Stephen C. Meyer one of the outstanding ID scientists.

Discovery Institute YouTube Channel

Requirement 2

House Plants/Butterflies Raise a plant using hydroponic principles. OR Draw, collect or photograph 10 species of butterflies, and identify correctly.

Option 1: This Wikipedia article on Hydroponics is a good place to start. Much of the information online about hydroponics is focused on cannabus cultivation, but the use of hydroponics is a perfectly acceptable method of raising many types of plants.

Option 2: Requirement 7 of the Moths and Butterflies Honor states:

Identify in the field, then draw, photograph or collect 25 species of moths and butterflies, with not more than two specimens of any one variety. When collecting, specimens should be anesthetized by using carbon tetrachloride or other chemical in collecting jar. In either project correctly label and include the following information:

a. Name

b. Date observed

c. Location

d. Time of day

e. Plant on which the insect was feeding or the material on which it was perched

Guidance:

Fulfilling this requirement is a good start on the Moths and Butterflies Honor. For identification purposes, you will need to get a copy of a good field guide. As with many other identification tasks, it is best to find a specimen first and then attempt to identify it, rather than going out to look for a particular specimen.

Pathfinders are encouraged to draw or photograph specimens rather than collect them. Identification should be done in the field. If going as a group, it is OK to bring one camera (perhaps the instructor's) and then have the rest of the participants make their drawing from the pictures taken. If you have access to a digital camera and a projector, you could project a slide show and have the Pathfinders make drawings as the slides are shown. You may also print the photos and pass them around.

Frontier Voyager

Requirement 3

Complete Voyager requirements.

Requirement 4

Edible Wild Plants/Environmental Conservation Identify, prepare and eat 10 varieties of edible wild plants. OR Investigate and write a report on a small stream.

Option 1: This might be a good opportunity to tackle the Edible Wild Plants Honor where detailed guidance can be found to meet this requirement.

Option 2: This requirement matches Requirement 4 of the Environmental Conservation Honor where detailed instructions and tips can be found.

Requirement 5

Complete a nature honor not previously earned. (Skill level 2 or 3).

Nature Honors Level 2

Nature Honors Level 3

This might be a good opportunity to tackle the Edible Wild Plants Honor (Skill Level 2) in conjunction with Requirement 4.