STEM Nova Counselor + Supernova Mentor Training (unofficial) Trisha Bergthold Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council

Learning Objectives By the end of this training, you will  Know the overall structure of BSA’s STEM Initiative,  Understand the roles of Nova Counselor and Supernova Mentor  Gain a general sense of the award requirements,  Learn key strategies for guiding youth in the STEM Awards,  Have suggestions for bringing the STEM Awards to your unit.  Know how to become a registered Nova Counselor and Supernova Mentor.

What is BSA’s STEM Initiative? Science Technology Engineering Mathematics 19 New Awards for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, & Venturers

Purpose of the STEM Initiative Enhance interest in the STEM fields Bring a Scouting focus to STEM Increase the value of Scouting Overall Structure Optional awards in each program Two tiers of awards  Nova Award (fun STEM activities)  Supernova Award (high achievement)

Structure Across Programs – Level 1

S: Science Everywhere T: Tech Talk E: Swing! M: 1, 2, 3, Go! S: Shoot! T: Start Your Engines E: Whoosh! M: Designed to Crunch S: Launch! T: Power Up E: Hang On! M: Numbers Don’t Lie

Structure Across Programs – Levels 1 & 2 Wolfs Bears Webelos

Adult Guidance Guide youth through requirements Verify award requirements are met Ensure safety and youth protection Approved by Council Commitment: weeks vs months Methods: teach/coach vs facilitate/guide Expertise: 0/minimal vs experienced Parent?yes vsno Nova CounselorsSupernova Mentors

Who Can Be a Nova Counselor? Anyone who understands the material and can guide learning can be a Nova Counselor Have you ever…Then you understand … played soccer, golf, or bowling? cooked, built things, or worked in the garden? ridden a bike, driven a car, or sailed a boat? researched new ideas on the internet? motion of objects. how to measure and calculate. energy production and use. how to prepare to guide youth in learning.

Who Can Be a Supernova Mentor? Anyone who has specialized knowledge in a STEM field through education, vocation, hobby, or other life experiences can be a Supernova Mentor. Example 1Example 2 Two CS and BS leaders Hobby: magic ( = science! ) "Is it Magic or Is It Science?“ Connections to Steve Spangler Science. But, not prof’l scientists A Venturing leader Vocation: NASA engineer Works on an observatory Moonlights for NASA Public Outreach and Education But… no college degree! What age youth? What STEM topics?

General Characteristics of Nova Awards Build on Existing badges (for CS & BS) Involve Familiarization Exploration and Application Relevance Communication Major Theme STEM Discussions Major Parts STEM Entertainment STEM Badge STEM Activities STEM in Everyday Life

Cub Scout Nova – Swing! (Engineering) Complete: 1. One hour of STEM entertainment and discuss. 2. One CS Adventure (from a list): Germs Alive!, Critter Care, Earth Rocks! (among others) 3. Three activities on levers (a) drawings, (b) types, (c) connection to BL 4. Field trip: visit a place that uses levers, discuss. 5. Design something that uses a lever, discuss. 6. Discuss how levers affect your everyday life.

Boy Scout Nova – Shoot! (Science) Complete: 1. Three hours of STEM entertainment and discuss. 2. One merit badge (from a list): astronomy, aviation, weather,… (six more choices) 3. Choose A or B (A) projectile simulation, (B) velocity discovery 4. Choose A or B (A) field trip, (B) satellite observation 5. Choose A or B or C (A) catapult, (B) pitching machine, (C) marble run 6. Discuss how science affects your everyday life.

Venturing Nova – Launch! (Science) Complete: 1. Three hours of STEM entertainment and discuss. 2. One Venturing STEM Exploration (from a list): astronomy, aviation, weather,… (six more choices) 3. Choose A or B (A) projectile simulation, (B) velocity discovery 4. Choose A or B (A) field trip, (B) satellite observation 5. Choose A or B or C (A) catapult, (B) pitching machine, (C) marble run 6. Discuss how science affects your everyday life.

Venturing STEM Explorations Safety What are the hazards and safety protocols in this field? Developing Knowledge Visit a workplace in this field ~OR~ do research to learn about this field. Hands-On Experiences Identify 4 hands-on activities in this field that you could do yourself. Each activity should take about three hours. Carry out all 4 activities and discuss each with your counselor. Career Exploration Find out about three career opportunities in this field. Communicate the training, education, and experience for each. Value and Impact Find out the importance of this field is in our modern world. How can this field bring about positive change? Create an oral or written report and present it to your counselor.

Key Strategies for Guiding Youth in the Nova Awards Know the sequence of events, start to end. Develop strategies for each Nova Award element. –STEM Entertainment –STEM Badges –STEM Activities –STEM in Everyday Life –STEM Discussions Create Nova Award roadmaps. Understand safety issues and risk mitigation.

What Comes First, Next, Last? Activity 1.Take one printed action item. 2.What is the right sequence? 3.Line yourselves up in that order.

STEM Entertainment Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: The Science of Sound (The Exploratorium) Under the Sea (Tech Museum of Innovation) Donald Duck in Mathmagic Land (STEM Movie Night)

STEM Badges Chabot Space and Science Center Astronomy BL, Pin, MB Camp Hi-Sierra Archery MB Council Merit Badge Workshop Sustainability MB

STEM Activities – Purposeful and Fun! Hands-on engagement Games & challenges with freedom to fail Team work and creativity YOU are the fun-gineer!

Where’s the FUN??? Cub Scout Nova Swing! Requirement 3 A.Make a list or drawing of the three types of levers B.Tell your counselor (1) the class of each (2) how each works C.Discuss (1) type of lever in your Belt Loop (2) what you learned about levers in doing your BL (3) why we use levers

Fun-gineering Levers Activities Cub Scout Nova Swing! Requirement 3 A.Make a list or drawing of the three types of levers B.Tell your counselor (1) the class of each (2) how each works C.Discuss (1) type of lever in BL (2) what you learned about levers in doing your BL (3) why we use levers Lift Off! Make a Type 1 Lever. + Lift a box. Try different fulcrum spots.

Fun-gineering Simple Machines Activities BS Whoosh! & V Hang On! Requirement 3 A.Make a list or drawing of the six simple machines B.Tell your counselor the name of each and how it works C.Discuss (1)the simple machines involved in your MB/Expl (2)the energy source behind the motion in your MB/Expl (3)what you learned about motion in your MB/Expl Pull! Make a pulley. + Lift a loaded container. Try two pulleys!

Shameless Tactics of a Dedicated Fun-gineer Adopts a partner in crime Sleuths out great resources Tries and revises before showtime

STEM in Everyday Life _____ engage in systematic measurement, observation, and testing. They search for patterns and predictability. ______ aim to solve problems or perform specific functions. They know about, use, and make tools, machines, crafts, techniques, and systems of organization to do this. _____ do more than crunch numbers. They also observe patterns, solve problems, and utilize logic. _____ invent, design, and build things. They often (a) deconstruct and analyze, (b) build and test, and (c) design and re-design. Scientists Technology Innovators Engineers Mathematicians Who’s who?

Connecting STEM to Everyday Life Think of times past, present, and future.  What did people do before ______ was invented or discovered?  What kinds of knowledge and capabilities do we have today that make it possible for us to use _________?  How might this _________ be improved in the future? Would it be cheaper? Could it be more environmentally friendly?

STEM Discussions Collaborative Dialog Starting Point Thinking Feeling Doing Aim for Talk about

STEM Discussions Low Gain Question A closed-form call for a brief answer, such as Yes/No True/False Good/Bad Choice A/Choice B High Gain Question An open-ended call for explanation, description, reflection, or speculation; often begins with, “Who, What, When, How, Tell me more about..., Give me an example of….” Too Open-Ended: What did you learn? Great Options How might we do this or think of this another way? What if we try to do it a wrong way? What could we learn? Oooh, I don’t know the answer to that question! Let’s find out. Better: What did you learn about safety protocols on the archery range?

Boy Scout Nova Award Shoot! Sample Roadmap 1. Watch/read 2. Aviation MB program at the USS Hornet 3. Option A: projectile simulation applet 4. Option A: visit USS Hornet (see the catapult launchers!) 5. Option A: design and build a catapult 6. Science in everyday life The Art of the Catapult Nova: Medieval Siege

Venturer Nova Award Hang On! Sample Roadmap 1. Watch/read 2. Model Design and Building STEM Exploration 3. Explore simple machines 4. Option A: visit Great America 5. Option to design an amusement park ride 6. Engineering in everyday life learner.org/interactives/ parkphysics/ Thrill Ride: The Science of Fun Amusement Park Physics

Cub Scout Nova 1, 2, 3 Go! Sample Roadmap (Wolf Cubs) Cyberchase (PBS) 1-7: Codename Icky 1. Watch/read 2. Code of the Wolf Adventure 3. Option A: Weight on other planets (Using slide rules) + Option C: Volume 4. Secret Codes 5. Mathematics in everyday life The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System

Safety Issues Baking Soda & Vinegar Experiment College Chemistry Experiment

Risk Mitigation – Mixed Up Q & A Activity 1.Find the Answer to your Question. 2.Find the Question that has your Answer. 3.Form a circle with the Qs and As in order, clockwise.

Risk Mitigation Follow BSA’s Youth Protection Policies Use Safety Gear & Practices Accommodate Academic Differences Ensure Internet Safety Bring in a Consultant with Safety Expertise Just Say STOP! Start with BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting!

Bringing the STEM Awards to Your Unit Start with the Guidebooks. Visit a great STEM destination. Develop Nova Award roadmaps. Fun-gineer great STEM activities. Look towards the Supernova Award. Manage the forces of GLOPP (Great Lovers of Pushing Paper) Capitalize on ideas from other units. Recruit a unit STEM coordinator Keep up on local STEM news and events.

Becoming a Nova Counselor  Be at least 21 years old  Be of good character  Be able and willing to work with Scout age youth  Be comfortable with high school math and science  Be willing to research STEM topics unfamiliar to you  Provide current certification in Youth Protection Training  Complete BSA adult registration form (no charge, position code 58)  Submit Nova Counselor Information Page  Be approved by the council Turn these in!

Summary At this point, you should  Know the overall structure of BSA’s STEM Initiative,  Understand the role of Nova Counselor  Have a general sense of the Nova requirements,  Know key strategies for guiding youth in the Nova Awards,  Know suggestions for bringing the STEM Awards to your unit.  Know how to become a registered Nova Counselor.

~ Break ~ This concludes the Nova Counselor portion of the training. We will take a 10 minute break. Up next: Supernova Mentor portion of the training.

General Characteristics of Supernovas Build on Existing badges (for CS and BS) Nova awards (for BS and V) Involve Specific STEM activities Competitions or workshops (for BS and V) Research on STEM careers Interaction with STEM professionals Teaching of STEM ideas to others (for BS and V) Independent research Communication of ideas Possibility of failure and need to try again

Cub Scout Supernova Complete: 1.Complete two specific Adventures. 2.Complete an additional specific Adventure. 3.Learn about and discuss Dr. Luis W. Alvarez. 4.Learn about and discuss three famous STEM people. 5.Discuss with a teacher the importance of STEM. 6.Do a science project or experiment. 7.Do one of:(a) visit a STEM career person, or (b) learn about a STEM career 8.Learn about the scientific method. 9.Participate in a Nova or STEM activity in your Pack. 10.Complete a Supernova award application

Boy Scout Supernova – Level 1 Complete: 1.Three of the Boy Scout Nova awards 2.Scholarship merit badge 3.Four Supernova-approved merit badges 4.Two Supernova Activity Topics, different areas 5.Science fair or mathematics competition 6.One of:(a) "shadow" a local scientist, or (b) learn about a STEM career 7.Presentation of a STEM program to a CS Pack 8.Review the scientific method and compare to… 9.Supernova award application

Venturer Supernova – Level 1 1.Three of the Venturer Nova awards 2.Venturing scholarship exploration 3.Four Supernova-approved Venturing STEM Explorations 4.Two Supernova Activity Topics, different areas 5.Science fair or mathematics competition 6.One of:(a) "shadow" a local scientist, or (b) learn about a STEM career 7.Presentation of a STEM program to a CS Pack 8.Review the scientific method and compare to… 9.Supernova award application Complete:

Elements of Guiding Youth in the Supernova  The sequence of events, start to end  Tips for guiding youth in STEM  Safety issues and risk mitigation  Einstein Supernova research project –Developing a STEM project –Finding the right subject matter expertise –Determining the ideal challenge level

Tips for Guiding Youth In STEM Basic Do’s and Don’t’s 1.Do insist on a buddy. 2.Do not modify the award requirements. 3.Do make sure each Scout understands the requirements. 4.Do ensure each Scout completes each requirement. 5.Do testing and reviewing in a friendly way.

Too Little, Too Much, Too Different, Just Right Activity 1.Read the Supernova requirement. 2.Read the cards, describing four youths’ efforts. 3.Place each card in the correct pocket.

Tip 2 for Guiding Youth in STEM Do not modify the award requirements. This standard ensures fairness and uniformity. Requirements must be completed exactly as presented—no additions or deletions. Substitute only where it is explicitly granted. A Scout may choose to explore some topics more deeply. You may encourage but may not require deeper study.

Tips for Guiding Youth In STEM General Tips 6.Anticipate differences in backgrounds. 7.Establish a positive environment. 8.Emphasize listening over talking to your youth. 9.Emphasize options rather than commands. 10.Balance honesty with support.

Tip 9 for Guiding Youth in STEM Emphasize options rather than commands. Youth feel more commitment to an activity that they choose. You have a much greater awareness of the variety of approaches than your youth have. Offering options help youth realize that there are many right ways to do things.

Tips for Guiding Youth In STEM Tips Unique to STEM 11.Become a STEM resource specialist. 12.Emphasize active engagement over passive listening. 13.Help your youth interpret and grow from failure. 14.Keep sight of the underlying STEM principles. 15.Become a STEM myth buster.

STEM Fortune Teller Activity 1.Tell each other a STEM “fortune” or two. 2.What is the common theme? 3.How might these messages be helpful?

Tip 13 for Guiding Youth in STEM Help your youth interpret and grow from failure. Allow failures! Many discoveries and inventions grew from a failure. Feedback from a failure helps build resilience. Early failures are not predictors of one’s ability to become a STEM professional. Knowledge develops by repeatedly exercising the brain. Even difficult concepts can be approached by other paths.

Einstein Supernova Research Project Venturers Expectation is 100 hours Requires both written and oral reports May require a consultant See bsastemresources.com for guidance

Becoming a Supernova Mentor  Be at least 21 years old  Be of good character  Be able and willing to work with Scout age youth  Be knowledgeable in some STEM field(s) by vocation, hobby, or education  Provide current certification in Youth Protection Training  Complete BSA adult registration form (no charge, position code 52)  Submit Mentor Information Page  Be approved by district/council advancement committee Turn these in!

Summary At this point, you should  Know the overall structure of BSA’s STEM Initiative,  Understand the role of Supernova Mentor vs Nova Counselor,  Have a general sense of the Supernova requirements,  Understand key elements of guiding youth in the Supernova, Know the sequence of events, start to end Understand multiple tips for guiding youth in STEM activities Be aware of safety issues and risk mitigation strategies  Know how to become a registered Supernova Mentor.

In Conclusion We hope that you HAVE FUN during your time as a BSA Nova Counselor and/or Supernova Mentor. Know that your time, talents, and knowledge are welcome, valued, and appreciated! THANK YOU for the good turn you are doing for America’s youth.