Words by Xavier Perdriau
Photos by Andrew Larmour, Andrew McGrail and Charlotte Pickup.
Hey Scouts! At AJ2025, Scouts had an adventure with new knowledge at the Your Discovery activity, where they got the chance to learn new skills in all sorts of fun Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) oriented activities. They would get a bingo card to fill in with each activity, and off they went, with the opportunity to try things like soldering and 3D printing.
When you stepped into Your Discovery, you firstly entered the fantastic Exploratorium, full of scientific wonders to fill not just your bingo card but your mind as well. Covering many branches of science, the Exploratorium offered lots of activities to do for as long as you wanted. Scouts who chose the magnet activity read about the magnetic liquid known as ferrofluid, while others got their fingerprints inked and learnt about the history of forensics. Those who chose illusions got to look at and make their own pieces of illusion art with the new information they had learnt. Some Scouts could also study the intricacies of our world with the microscopes activity, admiring the luminescence of certain materials, or trialling a virtual escape room focused on the Scouting Movement.
At Solder On, Scouts learned the basics of soldering by making a tent light. Going from just a motherboard and parts, to a handy contraption to brighten their camp space, Scouts Alexander and William from C052 really recommended this activity. On the other hand, 3D printing taught participants how to use 3D pens and machines and allowed them to take home a creation of their own. With so much 3D work to admire, there is no doubt that those who tried 3D printing have new appreciation for this medium.
Next participants could learn all about physics, engineering and problem solving with the Wonders of Flight and Aqueduct Challenge. Problem-solving skills were tested, when Scouts tried their hand at launching a bottle rocket into some targets. They worked hard to ready, aim and launch their rockets, and learnt lots of information around the basics of flight. Alternatively, the Aqueduct Challenge really put the minds of its participants to the test, with only the most creative and well-thought-out solutions standing strong. Scouts had to overcome the challenge of transporting water between two barrels, using only ropes, half pipes and sticks.
After they shot for the stars, participants then headed off to the Robot Discovery Lab for all-out technological warfare! Patrols battled it out in groups of six, and for ten minutes, got to compete to be the best battling warrior. After the game, they could compare their score with the high scores on the "Robot Discovery Lab Hall of Fame".
Next up, as a palette cleanser from the brain workout throughout the day, Scouts could relax with the Scrabble Club and LEGO Masters activities. At Scrabble Club, they could learn the best strategies from Scrabble experts and see how well their Scrabble gameplay could be adapted to include these new strategies. To be a LEGO Master, participants could build one of the many prompts on the cards given or partake in the Jamboree Map with an activity they were excited for. If anyone was still up for a brain tickler, they could choose a mystery challenge card that meant some Scouts had to building their LEGO blindfolded! The patrol from Unit C052 all agreed that LEGO was their highlight of Your Discovery, so it was worth having a go to see what could be made!
All in all, Your Discovery, with its endless scientific wonder, was a welcome addition to Jamboree. The knowledge and skills gained from it are just another way that Scouting allows youth to begin new pathways into STEM that can last them a lifetime. See you in the next one, Scouts!
