STEM in Scouting 1 1. STEM: What & Why 2. Letter of Dr Bernard Harris 3. STEM Orientation (Training file) 4. Roles and Rules 5. Youth Protection 6. Nova Awards 7. Supernova Awards 8. Opportunities to earn awards 9. Resources
4. Roles and Rules 2 - Nova Counselors - Supernova Mentors - Unit Leaders/Advancement Chair - District Advancement Chair - STEM/Nova District Program Chair - STEM/Nova Council Program Chair
Nova Counselors and Supernova 3 Mentors With the introduction of the new Nova and Supernova awards comes a fresh opportunity for volunteer positions. A Nova counselor can be any registered adult age 21 or older. They must be registered under the new nonunit position and no fee is required. The Nova counselor code is 58.
What is a Nova Counselor? 4 Teacher and Coach Verify requirements for awards are met Verify safety and youth protection
Counselor s Role in NOVA Activities 5 Help develop questions and interest Help research ideas and answers Guide participant in project setup and execution Stimulate discussion Encourage completion
Becoming a Counselor or Mentor Requirement Register annually (no fee, Counselors use position code 58, Mentors use position code 52, not a unit position) Be at least 21 years old Be of good character Current Youth Protection trained Be knowledgeable in the award subject by vocation, hobby, education Able to work with Scouts-age youth Submit SuperNova Mentor application Be approved by district/council advancement committee Nova Counselors Y Y Y Y Familiar, can research and discuss unfamiliar topics Y N N, local units may approve Counselors
Supernova Mentors 7 Supernova mentors must be 21 or older and be subject matter experts in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field and be registered under the new Supernova Mentor position code 52. This is a nonunit position and requires no fee. In addition to the BSA Adult Registration form, mentors must complete the Supernova Awards Mentor Information application, to be submitted to the District Advancement Chair and reviewed by Council.
Unit Leader/ Advancement Chair 8 The Unit Leader helps scout to find a Nova Counselor and/or Supernova Mentors. He/She receives the completed application from the scout which is then processed by the Unit Advancement Chair. Supernova application are sent in to the Council.
District Advancement Chair 9 Receives completed Supernova Mentor application from the adult volunteer/leader. Supernova Mentor applications are sent in to the Council office.
STEM/Nova Program Chair 10 Local councils may appoint a STEM/Nova Awards program chair. This can be a standalone position in support of districts, or responsibilities may be added to the program chair's position description. Here are some responsibilities to consider. Serve as the representative and spokesperson for the council's STEM initiative and the Nova Awards program. Offer personal endorsements and testimony to support the STEM initiative and Nova Awards program. Identify prospective volunteers and key organizations and events that could help support the BSA's STEM initiatives.
STEM/Nova Program Chair, cont'd 11 Help organize council STEM-based events such as a STEM Merit Badge Day. Integrate Nova awards with existing camp programs (merit badges, belt loops, pins). Help educate council staff and volunteers about the Nova Awards program and STEM initiative and about how they can help promote the program and initiative. With the Scout executive at local council events, present youth members with the NOVA awards they have earned.
5. Youth Protection 12 All Nova counselors and Supernova mentors must have current BSA Youth Protection training and certification appropriate for the programs being administered (Cub and Boy Scout Y01, Venturing Y02). Youth protection policies apply. Youth follow the buddy system. Internet Risks: Cyberchip Appropriate protective equipment for certain activities.
6. Nova Awards 13 There are four Nova awards - one for each of the STEM areas - and each Boy Scout can earn all four. Completion of any one award earns the Boy Scout the right to wear the patch. Each additional Nova award is recognized by a pi pin placed on the patch. Shoot! Start Your Engines Whoosh! Designed to Crunch (Science) (Technology) (Engineering) (Mathematics)
6. Nova Awards, cont'd 14 All Nova awards follow a structure of Familiarization Exploration Relevance
Familiarization Exploration Relevance 15 For example, for the Nova Award Shoot!, the familiarization portion consists of a combined three hours of watching and/or reading science related shows, Internet content or printed material. The scout makes notes, lists questions, discusses them with his counselor. Examples: PBS Nova, Discovery Channel, TED talks, Wikipedia, Popular Science, Scientific American,...
Familiarization Exploration Relevance 16 For example, for the Nova Award Shoot!, the exploration portion consists of sections #2 (merit badge), #3 simulations and hands-on experiment or further study in the Discover section, #4 field trip or observation of satellites and #5 Design and Build.
Familiarization Exploration Relevance 17 For example, for the Nova Award Shoot!, the relevance portion consists of section #6: "Discuss with your counselor how science affects your everyday life"
7. Supernova Awards 18 For Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts: For Webelos Scouts: For Boy Scouts: For Venturers: Dr. Louis Alvarez Supernova Award Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Bronze Award Thomas Edison Supernova Silver Award Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Bronze Award Wright Brothers Supernova Silver Award Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Gold Award
Dr Bernard Harris Supernova Award 19 Complete any three Boy Scout Nova awards Scholarship merit badge Four STEM related merit badges Two Supernova activity topics, one each in two areas Participate in a STEM competition, e.g. science fair One day internship or presentation about STEM career Present a Nova award to a cub scout Review the scientific method, present and explain discoveries to mentor
Thomas Edison Supernova Award 20 Dr Bernard Harris Supernova Award One additional Nova award Four additional STEM related merit badges Two Supernova activity topics, one each in two areas Participate in a STEM competition, e.g. science fair Present a Nova award to a cub scout Research scientific, technical, engineering or mathematical breakthrough, present and explain discoveries to mentor
8. Opportunities 21 Troop Merit Badge academies that offer STEM merit badge workshops Corporate Events District/Council Events Orlando Science Center Sanford Zoo Microsoft Store and many more...
9. Resources 22 General Information: www.scouting.org/stem/ Adult Leader STEM Training: http://www.scouting.org/training/adult.aspx Requirement Worksheets: www.meritbadge.org BSA Nova Awards guidebooks (publications 620557 for Cub Scouts, 614936 for Boy Scouts, 614934 for Venturers)
23 My Contact Information Markus Falkenberg Pack 631, Oviedo/Winter Springs Little Econ District Email: mhf8387@gmail.com Phone: (407) 278-8382