BALTIMORE AREA COUNCIL STEM & NOVA PROGRAM IN CUB SCOUTING C. PATRICK SHIELDS IAN 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 App Requirements Stem Flyers Powerpoints Contact Us:  Patrick Shields  Ian Smith Let us know on your progress!