Ron Harrington, a long-time Carroll County resident and president of the Carroll Technology Council, emphasizes the importance of scouting in developing future leaders through character, citizenship, and STEM education. He discusses the role of STEM in today's society and encourages scouts to embrace science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to become innovators and responsible citizens. Harrington highlights the legacy of accomplished individuals who exemplified scouting principles and urges the young scouts to uphold these values in their lives.

1. 12/10/2012 10:32:00 AM
About Ron Harrington
Ron Harrington is a Carroll County Resident of 30 years
and the owner of Protectron Lighting Control a
Commercial Lighting Firm that operates in Carroll County,
he serves on Carroll County Economic Development
Commission and currently serves as President of the
Carroll Technology Council. He is also a former Scout.

2. BSA STEM PROGRAM
November 17, 2012
Good Morning! It’s great to be here I’m excited for the
opportunity to help kick off this STEM event with you and I
know each of you will achieve your purpose in coming
here today.
Before I get into my talk I want to briefly tell you about the
Carroll Technology Council.
We are volunteer Non-profit with
Approx. 80 members - many are small IT companies
Our Mission:
To provide leadership, information and resources to
educate, attract and influence technology in Carroll
County.
We work with government agencies, schools and other
non-profits.
We grant tech scholarships and support robotics.
CompuKids is our signature program where we refurbish
donated computers and in turn give them to families with
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3. BSA STEM PROGRAM
November 17, 2012
school children that can’t buy them on their own. You may
be interested in getting community service credits for
school. We can give you these credits if you participate in
one of our computer repair Saturdays.
So enough about the tech council let’s talk about why we
are here today.
You know, the scouting experience as a whole gives
young people like you -- and has given me – a far-
reaching exposure to what it takes to become responsible
members of society and to mature into becoming good
men.
William Boyce, was the founder of Scouting in the US. He
focused on teaching the principles for transforming boys
into men.
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4. BSA STEM PROGRAM
November 17, 2012
In fact, since incorporating in 1910, the Boy Scouts of
America has had
a 100+ year run of turning young men like you into our
leaders of tomorrow. The teachings of Scouting touch
most if not all of the important fundamental qualities you
need as scouts of today to become the leaders of
tomorrow -- fundamentals like:
Character development,
Development of Self-reliance
Accountable Citizenship
Camaraderie and Fellowship
Physical and Mental fitness
Resourcefulness – being imaginative and inventive in
getting things done
Patriotism and devotion to our country and
Courage – to be an individual and to, stand up for your
convictions and beliefs.
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5. BSA STEM PROGRAM
November 17, 2012
Some of history’s most recognizable names – people that
have had an impact on our society and have also
exemplified the scouting experience -- are men like
John F. Kennedy who was the first Boy Scout to become a
U.S. President.
Astronaut Neil Armstrong who was an Eagle Scout before
becoming the first man on the moon.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates who was a Life Scout before
changing the world through computer technology.
Before reinventing the way America shops Sam Walton
with his Wal-Mart chain, was the youngest boy ever to
earn Eagle Scout.
Before belting a Major League Baseball record of 755
home runs during his career playing for the Milwaukee and
Atlanta Braves, Hall-of-Famer “Hammerin’” Hank Aaron
was an Eagle Scout.
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But how about some that you may not know about like:
Barack Obama
Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
Sir Paul McCartney
Jimmy Buffett
Richard Gere
Andy Griffith
Harrison Ford
Joe Thiesman and
Bruce Jenner
Just As the principles of Scouting have served these men,
they will also become indelibly bred and instinctive to you
and they will remain with you and serve you for life.
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7. BSA STEM PROGRAM
November 17, 2012
About two years ago I was invited to attend a scouting
breakfast here in Carroll County. I had lost track of
scouting since I was a scout but amazed myself by
actually remembering and was able to recite word-for -
word the “Scout Oath and Law. I never forgot the scout
Motto and Slogan.
I can’t begin to tell you how many times the motto “be
prepared” has carried me through life’s situations. I never
taken on an important task without first thinking it
completely through and identifying what could possibly go
wrong.
(has anyone of you scouts heard of Murphy’s Law)
"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" (this is a law
you need to remember)
Murphy’s Law always strikes when you least expect it. So
what’s the lesson here? (Anyone?)
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Always have a back-up plan just in case.
Since its formation, scouting has had to adapt to an
evolving society. STEM is an example of one of the latest
evolutions.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING,
MATHEMATICS
These disciplines are considered by many to be the
foundation of an advanced society in both academics and
professional fields. The strength of its STEM workforce is
sometimes viewed as a gauge of a nation’s ability to
sustain itself.
What makes STEM an even more serious concept is that
outside the US young people who live in many parts of the
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9. BSA STEM PROGRAM
November 17, 2012
world are being exposed to STEM disciplines and starting
to excel in these areas.
I think I speak for all of the adults here in saying we are
very encouraged to see you, Scouts and future leaders,
showing an interest in STEM as well. In the final analysis
we are looking to the young people of America – you -- to
pick up and carry the ball that will keep this country strong
and to allow it to hold its place as the greatest country in
the world.
So the aim of scouting in the field of STEM is to expose
you to opportunities, to help you develop skills that are
critical in a competitive world market, and to increase your
interest in STEM subjects by making them relevant and
fun. That’s what today is all about!
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Scouts, we encourage you to continue to be curious about
Science, Technology and Engineering.
We especially urge you to embrace Mathematics because
math provides the structure and framework for
understanding and employing the other STEM disciplines.
Remember! All of you scouts here today will be the
researchers, innovators, discoverers and leaders of
tomorrow. While this may seem like a staggering
responsibility, we know that you will be up to the
challenge!
Why?
Because you are scouts and you do practice the principles
of the scout law and in doing so you will become not just
adults -- but men:
men that are: trustworthy and loyal,
men that serve their fellow men and do it with kindness,
courteously and in fellowship,
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November 17, 2012
responsible citizens that obey the law and do it cheerfully,
men that have the courage to stand up for what they
believe in with the purest of intentions, and
men that reverently respect and interact with nature and
our creator.
I am honored that I could be part of your program today; I
hope all of you have fun while learning about STEM and
that you practice throughout your lives the principles you
have learned as scouts.
Remember ------- Be prepared!
Thank You!!
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