BSA STEM NOVA Counselor and SUPERNOVA Mentor Training

Introduction This course is intended to provide potential Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors with the basic information they need to assist Scouts in completing the requirements to earn the Nova and Supernova awards. The prerequisite for this course is an understanding of the BSA Nova program. 2

Learning Objectives Understand the adult roles in the BSA Nova program Review Counselor/Mentor requirements, duties and responsibilities Know how to register as a Counselor/Mentor Understand the methods of counseling & mentoring Know how to guide a Scout through the Nova and Supernova process 3

BSA STEM Adult Roles Unit STEM Coordinator Nova Counselor Supernova Mentor STEM Nova Program member/chair –District, Council and National levels STEM Camp staff –Summer camp, camporees, Jamboree 4

Unit STEM Coordinator Unit Contact person for all things STEM related Trained at a STEM Counselor / Mentor course –Does not need to be a STEM Supernova Mentor Promote the program to scouts and parents Help scouts with ideas on how they can earn the Nova and Supernova awards Work with leaders to add fun STEM activities to meetings and outings Work with the District STEM Coordinator to ensure Supernova awards are recorded and presented 5 Every unit should have a STEM Coordinator

Nova and Supernova NovaSupernova 6

Role of Counselor / Mentor A teacher and coach –Help scout develop questions, research ideas & answers –Guide scout in project setup and execution Safety, resource management and data collection Analysis and reporting results and extracting meaning of results Inspire discussion of project activity and help them understand conclusions Encourage completion of activities –Verify requirements for awards are met –Ensure consistency across all participants over time Ensure safe activities and youth protection 7

What is a Counselor / Mentor? Nova Counselors –Adults with little to some knowledge in STEM topics Need not be professionals or experts Willing to research and study to be ready to guide participants –Guide youth participants in research and experiences –Maintain quality and safety Supernova Mentors –Adults with skills and education in award topics Professional-level engineers, scientists, educators and hobbyists who use STEM skills often –Guide youth in significant accomplishments in STEM topics –Maintain quality and safety 8

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 9 Anyone who understands the material and can guide learning can be a Nova Counselor

Who Can Be a Supernova Mentor? Possess skills and education in award topics –Engineers, Scientists, Accountants, Software Engineers, HAM Radio experts, Educators, Doctors, Meteorologists 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 many months to accomplish Supernova activities Do NOT need to have a specific STEM background –Supernova activities involve science applicable to all STEM fields –Possibly at the Einstein Supernova level – may need an expert in a specific field 10

Nova CounselorsSupernova Mentors Must be age 21 or older Registered as a Nova counselor (position code 58) Unit-position/ requires no fee Must be age 21 or older Registered as a Supernova mentor (position code 52) Non-unit position / requires no fee Youth Protection Trained Training helpfulNova Counselor/Mentor Trained Can be a parent or scout leaderNOT the parent or Unit Leader of the Scout (some exceptions) Able to guide participant activitiesAble to guide participant activities over many months Knowledgeable in STEM topics (is able to research topics or find expert) Possess skills and education in STEM topics and guiding students Approved by the UnitApproved by the Council Nova Committee (Supernova Mentor Information Form) Counselor / Mentor Requirements 11

STEM is FUN! Be safe! Encourage youth Age makes a difference Group size No time limit 12

Best Practices (1) Every Scout deserves a Trained Leader –Nova Counselor / Supernova Mentor training –Trainer’s EDGE Know the award requirements –Stay current (New Nova Awards & changes released occasionally) Age Appropriate Expectations –Help youth be successful in each challenge –Adjust for learning disabilities 13 The BSA STEM Nova program gives Scouts the incentive to become lifetime learners regardless of their abilities and needs.

Age makes a difference: Characteristics and Needs of Scouts ProgramAge and ExperienceGroup StructureLearning Styles Cub Scouts, Webelos Boys 8 – 10 years old Grade 2 – 4 Little math or science contact Generally in Dens of 4 – 8 Scouts adult leader See and do Tactile and visual Structured Learning Open to everything – no preconceived notions Boy Scouts Boys 11 – 18 years old Grade 5 – 12 Some math and science education Small groups of 2 to 8, with a buddy Youth leader See and do Tactile and visual Use EDGE teaching method Eager to explore new worlds Science may be seen as “too hard” Varsity Scouts, Venturers Young Men and /or Women 14 – 20 years old Grades 8+ Groups of 2 or more (with a buddy) Youth leader See and do Reflection, research, brainstorm Self directed – Counselor is a team leader Emulate adult as role model Science and Math may be seen as “un-cool” 14

Tailor Your Teaching Method Coaching Share knowledge Lead experiences Provide advice Teach Scout Coaching Share knowledge Lead experiences Provide advice Teach Scout Mentoring Share extensive experience Support explorations Guide activities Listen, guide thinking and analysis Help Scout learn on own Mentoring Share extensive experience Support explorations Guide activities Listen, guide thinking and analysis Help Scout learn on own E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable Cub Scouts, Webelos, younger Boy Scouts Cub Scouts, Webelos, younger Boy Scouts Older Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturers Older Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturers 15

NOVA Program Activities - Example Boy Scout Shoot! Requirements summarized:  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 your design, data, and experiments with your counselor.  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 your design, data, and experiments with your counselor.  Discuss with counselor how science affects your life.

Best Practices (2) When a Scout develops questions… –If you don’t know the answer use this as an opportunity to look up together. Make a note of common questions to review ahead of meeting with the Scout. Ask leading questions – “Compare and contrast …”, “What if …”, “Why did …”. Show them, then let them do it Not all experiments work the first time! –Discuss and try again Develop Junior Scientists Let more experienced Scouts lead Nova activities. You should supervise and ensure that the activities are complete and the key ideas have been discovered. 17

The SUPERNOVA Award The requirements for each Supernova award are based on the ages of the Scout and are increasingly challenging Cub Scouts - Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Webelos Scout - Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award Boy Scouts - Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award and Thomas Edison Supernova Award Venturers - Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Award, Wright Brothers Supernova Award, and Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award

SUPERNOVA Program Activities - Example Boy Scout Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award –Requirements BRIEFLY summarized: 19  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

Mentoring the Scout Supernova Activity Project or Experiment Science project or experiment should be challenging and should require a significant investment of time and effort on their part –Age and Skill-level appropriate –“Challenging” while not being discouraging and too difficult The Scientific Method guides the process Activity Topics are good examples Some form of report OR an oral presentation required Einstein award has more stringent requirements 20.

Nova / Supernova Reports Report style for Nova and Supernova activities is up to the scout –Oral –Written –Poster –Virtual poster –Video production –Any format of scouts own design with mentor’s advance approval Objective to communicate what was learned and how 21 Experiment Title: Question: Research: Hypothesis: Procedure: Data: Results: Conclusions/New Experiments:

The Scientific Method Jan 23, 2016University of Scouting22 Make an Observation / Ask a question Make an Observation / Ask a question Research subject Make a Hypothesis Test Hypothesis by doing an experiment Review results of experiment and make a conclusion Report results (was hypothesis correct?) Report results (was hypothesis correct?)

Risk Mitigation SituationRiskMitigation Scouts research topics on the Internet Contact with inappropriate content Susceptible to Cyber Bullying Scouts in contact with adults not known to them Inappropriate contact Allegations of inappropriate contact Youth Protection training and policies Youth follow Buddy System Different levels of education or understanding of material Missed program opportunities Disrespect from/to peers Bullying Adjust teaching techniques to abilities and preparation level of Scouts Maintain group discipline “No Cheap Shots” policy STEM activities contain hazards Injury Property damage Use safety gear and practices Maintain control of activities 23

Completion of Award Congratulate scout! Inform unit leader Fill out paperwork Celebrate awards with an appropriate ceremony 24

Nova Awards Approval Process Must be approved by a counselor who is a registered BSA adult leader Complete a standard Advancement report (form 34403) noting which Nova was earned by each scout Turn form in to Scout Shop in order to purchase Nova patch (first Nova earned) and/or pi pins (2 nd and all subsequent Novas earned) Cards available to help organize and track what NOVA awards your scouts are working on 25Jan 23, 2016University of Scouting

Supernova Awards Approval Process Require submission of official Supernova application form – Signatures of several people (next slides) Recommended that District/Council sign off include a “look over” of completed work Requirements different for Einstein Supernova 26Jan 23, 2016University of Scouting

Approvals for Supernovas (all except Einstein) Unit Leader (Not Mentor) Supernova Mentor (Council approved) –A parent may mentor their own child only as one of a group of scouts working on the same award. Please note names all scouts when submitting application District STEM or Advancement Chair (with review of completed work) Scout Executive – Council Office (Not Scout Shop) may stamp Approved Application and Advancement Report (form 34403) submitted to Scout Shop to purchase award 27Jan 23, 2016University of Scouting

Approvals for Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Gold Award (Venturing) Unit Leader (Committee Chair or Crew Advisor – not Mentor) Supernova Mentor – (Council approved) –May not be parent under any circumstances. District STEM or Advancement Chair –Requires candidate to present both oral and written reports on their original research to the local Council STEM committee (of at least three current Supernova Mentors) Scout Executive – must sign personally Packet sent to National STEM Committee for review/final approval –Application with all signatures –Copy of written report on original research –Proposed Nova –Reports on Supernova activities, if possible After national approval, award may be purchased from the National BSA STEM Office, the Scout Shops do not carry these. 28Jan 23, 2016University of Scouting

Will You Be a Counselor or Mentor? The Youth of Today and the America of Tomorrow need your support What’s Next –You have now completed BSA Nova Counselor/Mentor Training –Complete the Counselor/Mentor registration process Get Registered with BSA Take Youth Protection training on-line –Start sharing your STEM expertise 29

Application Process Nova Counselor 1.BSA Adult application (code 58 for Nova counselor) 2.Youth protection training certificate 3.Nova Counselor Information Form 4.Nova/Supernova adult certificate (if available) Submit copy of these 4 items to your Council/District STEM committee or Advancement chair 30 Supernova Mentor 1.BSA Adult application (code 52 for Supernova mentor) 2.Youth protection training certificate 3.Supernova Mentor Information Form 4.Nova/Supernova adult training certificate (if available) Submit copy of these 4 items to your Council/District STEM committee or Advancement chair To sign up as BOTH a Nova counselor & Supernova Mentor TWO BSA Adult applications (code 58 on one; code 52 for second)

Put your Council-specific slides here 31

Counselors / Mentors Resources BSA STEM website  Your council STEM website Scouting and Boys Life Magazine & Bryan’s Blog Facebook - Nova Award, BSA Cub Cast on “CS and STEM” and Scout Cast on “BS and STEM” Various STEM and Science Outreach websites Other Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors 32

Summary Adults can play an important role in engaging youth in BSA STEM activities The Nova program adds recognition for work done to learn about STEM Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors must re- register each year –Lead scouts toward improved awareness and interest in STEM –Tailor teaching techniques to ages and abilities of Scouts –Support BSA requirements and guidelines –Make it fun! 33

Questions? 34