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BALTIMORE AREA COUNCIL
STEM & NOVA PROGRAM IN CUB SCOUTING
C. PATRICK SHIELDSIAN SMITH
STEM and Scouting
Have you Heard of STEM and Nova?
Who knows about the Nova and Supernova awards?
What STEM programs are Scouts already doing in schools?
Do you know any scouts who have earned the Nova Award?
Have you been to a STEM event? Ft. Meade, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Cub Fun Day,
Carroll County STEM day, Martin State Airport.
What is Nova?
Goal of the Nova program: Involve practical knowledge for understanding what STEM
education is and how scouting teaches these disciplines.The award itself:
Four points divided by Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The patch and first “Pi Pin” are earned with a new pin per subject.
Requirements for each discipline: Cub Scouts theme each nova point to 1 hour of media study, a belt
loop/pin and a few activities.Award Process
Confirmed within the unit leadership, awarded within the unit.Who can accomplish it?
Wolf scouts and older! Best done in groups or a part of regular activities.
What is Supernova?
Supernova award: Higher, academic based achievement done over the
course of months. Best for scouts motivated by STEM education.
The process: Find an approved mentor. Begin the requirements. Keep
a record of all progress. Finish award. Take packet and application to district advancement chair. Approved application is sent to council for confirmation.
What is a mentor? A qualified supervisor to the scout through the award
process.So what is the difference?
Nova or STEM in Weekly Program
Earning Nova as a group Choose a discipline to work into the regular program
calendar. Mix belt loop or pin activities discussion into the program
as an alternative. Best as a group rather then a scout doing it alone.
Purposes of the STEM & Nova alongside Scouting Earning the Nova award on top of already existing program
rather than in place of it. Finding ways to include a scout’s education with normal
scouting activities. Traveling or local?
Are “field trips” needed? Can it all be done at the meeting?
Six Steps to Earning Nova
STEP 1: Leaders and scouts work together to find a STEM
discipline to work on.STEP 2:
Set a plan on what pins or belt loops to apply to the discipline and what educational media that will be used.
STEP 3: Work with the scouts to complete the requirements as
you would with rank advancement or arrow points.
Six Steps to Earning Nova
STEP 4: Consider your time frame. With proper planning a
Nova point can take 4 or 5 hours worth of time, depending on a scout’s aptitude for the subject.
STEP 5: Track and sign off for completed requirements.
STEP 6: Recognize patch and Pi Pin recipients at the next Pack
Meeting
Needs for Reaching Out
The task of recording and maintaining Supernova mentors falls to the District Advancement Committee. There are always a need for mentors. Reach out to your
district if they do not have a method for keeping them just yet.Promote a Nova program as part of your calendar!
See if there is a badge, pin or achievement that can act as a good jumping off point to work from.
Help us mentor Supernova! Reach out to teachers, professionals or educated individuals
who may be willing to mentor. There are thousands of willing potential STEM volunteers
looking to teach youth about their careers.
Catapult Contest!
Take your creation to the launch point!Furthest shot group earns a Nova patch!10 minutes!
Nova Shoot! Req 5A(1)(2), Record your data!
Resources
Mentor Form & Adult AppRequirementsStem FlyersPowerpointsContact Us:
Patrick Shields 443-573-2537 [email protected]
Ian Smith 443-573-2554 [email protected]
Let us know on your progress!
