The BSA STEM Initiative: How it works in your troop Michael R. Lewis, PhD Professor, University of Missouri Adult Leaders Meeting February 11, 2016

1/26/2013GSLAC Univ of Scouting 2

How I Got Here 1/26/2013GSLAC Univ of Scouting 3 Diploma, Cary High School, Cary, NC, 1980 BS, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1984 MS, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, 1988 PhD, City of Hope Graduate School, Duarte, CA, 1997 Postdoctoral Training, Washington University in St. Louis, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri, Associate Professor, University of Missouri, Professor, University of Missouri, 2013-present

WHAT is STEM? The acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics 4

STEM in Scouting Scouting has always included Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) topics –But the content is often hidden in other activities Scouting focuses on outdoor program –Not Every Youth Wants to be Dan Beard or Daniel Boone. Some Want to Be Neil Armstrong, Bill Gates, or Albert Einstein. –NOVA is NOT a replacement for the outdoor program 5

Why STEM? Our country is falling behind in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) –In 2009, just 34 percent of U.S. 8 th graders were rated proficient or higher in a national math assessment. –In an international exam given, U.S. high school students ranked 21 st out of 30 industrialized nations in science and 25 th in math. –Only 43 percent of U.S. high school graduates in 2010 were ready for college work in math and 29 percent were ready in science. –China graduates more engineers per year than the U.S. graduates in all fields. 6

Why STEM? STEM is the future. STEM education is an economic imperative. –Experts say that technological innovation accounted for almost half of U.S. economic growth over the past 50 years, and almost all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least some background in STEM. STEM literacy has a profound and growing impact on our day-to-day lives. –The National Science Foundation “estimates that 80% of the jobs created in the next decade will require some form of math and science skills.” 7

The BSA Response The BSA has partnered with ExxonMobil to increase STEM awareness in youth and offer them the opportunities to “Be Prepared for Life” BSA created the NOVA and SUPERNOVA Awards Programs –Youth Program, Adult Roles, Leader Support, and Awards programs defined –Field tested, refined, and improved in two trials –Development of manuals –National Roll-Out was mid-July

NOVA and SUPERNOVA Programs NOVA Program –Based on accomplishment of existing program activities (belt loops, merit badges, venturing activity areas) –Extends and enhances existing program activities –Adult counselors familiar with STEM topics guide explorations and provide advancement quality control SUPERNOVA Program –Significant accomplishment of existing program activities –Learn some fundamentals of the topic areas –Original STEM investigations and projects –Adult mentors who are accomplished STEM practitioners guide explorations and provide advancement quality control 9

“Scouting is… a game with a purpose” Even today, we can still say Scouting is about three things: fun, values and learning. STEM incorporates the “science behind…” what we are (already) doing in Scouting May require some research –Look for website links –Hope to have some on a BSA STEM webpage 10

NOVA Program Activities - Example Boy Scout NOVA Activity: Shoot! (Science) –Requirements summarized: 11  Watch TV or read about science, collect questions and ideas, discuss with counselor (3 hours)  Complete ONE Merit Badge: Archery, Astronomy, Athletics, Aviation, Rifle Shooting, Robotics, Shotgun Shooting, Space Exploration, Weather  Discover (study) or use a computer simulation to study projectile velocity  Visit an observatory or flight, aviation or space museum; Find a satellite and observe it  Build a catapult; Design a pitching machine; Design and build a marble run  Discuss with counselor how science affects your life.  Watch TV or read about science, collect questions and ideas, discuss with counselor (3 hours)  Complete ONE Merit Badge: Archery, Astronomy, Athletics, Aviation, Rifle Shooting, Robotics, Shotgun Shooting, Space Exploration, Weather  Discover (study) or use a computer simulation to study projectile velocity  Visit an observatory or flight, aviation or space museum; Find a satellite and observe it  Build a catapult; Design a pitching machine; Design and build a marble run  Discuss with counselor how science affects your life.

NOVA Activity Awards – Boy Scouts 1. Shoot! (Science) 2. Start your Engines! (Technology) 3. Whoosh! (Engineering) 4. Designed to Crunch (Mathematics) First Award – get NOVA patch Next Award(s) – get NOVA pins to place on the patch 12

NOVA Program Activities Cub ScoutsBoy ScoutsVenturingExploring Science EverywhereShoot!Launch!TBD Tech TalkStart Your Engines!Power UpTBD Swing!Whoosh!Hang On!TBD Go!Designed to CrunchNumbers Don’t LieTBD More in development TBD 13

SUPERNOVA Program Activities - Example Boy Scout SUPERNOVA Activity: Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award –Requirements BRIEFLY summarized: 14  Must be First Class or higher.  Earn at least three NOVA awards for Boy Scouts.  Earn Scholarship MB and four MBs from approved list.  Complete two Supernova activity topics. Each topic includes research, preparation, set up, coordination, organization, analysis, reflection, reporting.  Participate in science fair or math competition.  Shadow science professional or explore a science career and present.  Present NOVA program to Cub den or other youth group  Review scientific method and use it to examine a selected topic  Must be First Class or higher.  Earn at least three NOVA awards for Boy Scouts.  Earn Scholarship MB and four MBs from approved list.  Complete two Supernova activity topics. Each topic includes research, preparation, set up, coordination, organization, analysis, reflection, reporting.  Participate in science fair or math competition.  Shadow science professional or explore a science career and present.  Present NOVA program to Cub den or other youth group  Review scientific method and use it to examine a selected topic

SUPERNOVA Awards 15 Dr. Albert Einstein Venturer (gold medal) Dr. Albert Einstein Venturer (gold medal) Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Wolf / Bear (bronze medal) Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Wolf / Bear (bronze medal) Dr. Charles H. Townes Webelos (bronze medal) Dr. Charles H. Townes Webelos (bronze medal) Cub Scouts Dr. Bernard Harris (bronze medal) Dr. Bernard Harris (bronze medal) Thomas Alva Edison (silver medal) Thomas Alva Edison (silver medal) Boy Scouts Dr. Sally Ride (bronze medal) Dr. Sally Ride (bronze medal) Wright Brothers (silver medal) Wright Brothers (silver medal) Venturing

Unit Ideas Catapults (in the Boy Scout NOVA Activity: Shoot!) Rockets –Air (construction paper) –Water/air (plastic bottles) –Estes Diet coke & mentos; baking soda and vinegar Hiking –Orienteering; using GPS; Equipment High Adventure –Altitude sickness –Scuba Zip lines, rappelling 16

The Science of Catapults Catapult physics is basically the use of stored energy to hurl a projectile, without the use of an explosive The three primary energy storage mechanisms are tension, torsion, and gravity The main types of catapults are the trebuchet, mangonel and ballista –A slingshot is a type of catapult 17

Mangonel (Onager) Catapult Problem: if the same object is released at what angle of release will the projectile travel the farthest distance Projectile launches forward due to Newton's first law: “Objects in motion want to stay in motion, objects at rest want to stay at rest” 18

A Few Catapult Designs 19

Adult Roles in the NOVA Program counselors mentors VS. 20

What is a Counselor and Mentor? Counselors work with scouts on NOVA awards Mentors work with scouts on SUPERNOVA awards 21

Who Can Be a NOVA Counselor? Have you ever played baseball, golf, football, bowling, archery, etc.? –You understand motion of objects Have you ever cooked, built things, worked in the garden, ran a race, did construction, etc.? –You know how to measure things and make calculations Have you ever gone fishing, dug a hole, rode a bike, hit a baseball, fixed a car or bike, etc.? –You understand simple machines Have you ever walked, drove a car, sailed a boat, or enjoyed AC? –You understand energy production and use Have you ever read a book or researched on the internet? –You understand how to prepare to help the participants 22 Anyone who understands the material and can guide learning can be a NOVA Counselor

Who Can Be a SUPERNOVA Mentor? Must be accomplished and knowledgeable in STEM –Engineers, Scientists, Accountants, Software Engineers, Educators, HAM Radio experts, Contracts Experts, Meteorologists, Doctors… Must be able to guide youth participants to significant accomplishments in STEM topics –Provide guidance and experiences, but not overt teaching –Support explorations of STEM ideas and projects in depth –May take months to accomplish SUPERNOVA activities 23

Teaching STEM to Youth Understand your “audience” –Age and learning style of the youth –Adapt your approach to fit their capabilities and interest –Talk to them on their level Be patient and encouraging –The goal is to keep them interested and excited about STEM Make them feel welcome and relaxed –Find out what the Scout already knows, then stimulate interest by showing something related to it (but don’t overwhelm) –Establish an atmosphere that encourages the Scout to ask questions and to ask for help when needed Similar MB counselor guidelines & techniques 24

What’s Next? Promote NOVA to the scouts/parents in your Units Work with scouts on NOVA award Incorporate science in scout activities –Den, Pack, Troop meetings, camp-outs Specific experiments or pointing out the science in “everyday” scout activities Recruit / sign-up SUPERNOVA Mentors Encourage scouts to work on SUPERNOVA awards Look for NOVA activities sponsored by council 25

1/26/2013GSLAC Univ of Scouting 26 Missouri, California, Pennsylvania

What are Invention Scouts? Skill Based Teamwork Based Creativity Through Inventions Ethical/Business Knowledge Community Service

Invention Scouts Ranks 1/26/2013GSLAC Univ of Scouting 28 Invention ScoutInvention Scout - Just joined, becoming a member of the Crew and a Team. NoviceNovice- Learning how to work with your Team, and the equipment in the Invention Lab. ApprenticeApprentice – Exploring all of the different Learning Skill areas to see what you like. JourneymanJourneyman – Proficient at the tool/skill and is qualified to teach to the Apprentice. MasterMaster- Has mastered the tools/skills and is qualified to teach to both Apprentice and Journeyman. Must complete a Master Invention Project; Invent, design, manufacture, market and distribute a new product.Master Invention Project

Sinquefield Invention Lab – Lake of the Ozarks Scout Reservation 1/26/2013GSLAC Univ of Scouting 29 Electronic and Robotic Lab 2D and Woodworking Lab 3D Lab Print and Design Lab Multimedia Leadership Business Creativity

ShopBot

Epilog Laser

3D Printer

Points of Contact 35 Boonslick District STEM Chairman –Mike Lewis Boonslick District Executive –Greg Baker

36 Questions ?