The STEM Supernova Awards Program Patriot’s Path Council Boy Scouts of America Timothy Farrell STEM-Nova Boy Scout Program Sub Committee Lead December 6, Jim Kukucka STEM Committee Chairman Jimmy DaSilva STEM-Nova Cub Scout Program Sub Committee Lead

4 WHAT is STEM?  The acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  This approach to education is designed to revolutionize the teaching of subject areas such as mathematics and science by incorporating technology and engineering into regular curriculum by creating a “ meta-discipline.  Highlight STEM content in existing Scouting Program. 4

555 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.

66 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. ”

888 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 extending 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

The Nova Program Guide Book Available as a PDF download or purchase at the Scout Shop Cub ScoutsBoy ScoutsVenturing Science Everywhere Tech Talk Shoot! Start Your Engines! Launch! Power Up Swing!Whoosh!Hang On! Go! Designed to Crunch Numbers Don ’ t Lie

12 Cub Scout:  Science Everywhere  Tech Talk  Swing!  Go! Boy Scout:  Shoot!  Start Your Engines  Whoosh!  Designed to Crunch Venturing:  Launch!  Power Up  Hang On!  Numbers Don’t Lie Nova Award

16 Nova Activity Awards  First award earns a Nova patch  Next awards earn Nova pins for the patch (up to 3) 16

18 Supernova Program Activities - Example Boy Scout Supernova Activity: Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award – Requirements summarized: 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, and the preparation of a final report. Participate in a science fair or math competition. Shadow a science professional Present Nova program to Cub den or other youth group Review scientific method and use it to examine a selected topic 18

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

Supernova Award - Integration with Traditional Program - Example Boy Scouts 20 Dr. Bernard Harris (bronze medal) Thomas Alva Edison (silver medal) Dr. Albert Einstein Venturer (gold medal) Merit badge from selection list Boy Scout is also a Venturer

Advancement - PPC Once any of the awards are earned by Scouts, an advancement form can be filled out and submitted to the Scout Shop. The Advancement department will keep a record of the Scout's achievement on these awards. Use the Advancement Report, No.34403, to document completion of the Nova Award. For those Scouts working on the Supernova medals, the Supernova Award Application can be downloaded at the Patriots’ Path STEM Committee website and turned in with the advancement form. The application must be signed by the Scout, Unit Leader, Mentor, STEM Committee Chair, and Council Scout Executive. 22

23 Nova Program Counselors and Supernova Award Mentors COUNSELORS > Parents and unit leaders may serve as Nova counselors even if they have little or no background in STEM (although of course they do need to understand the material well enough to help the youth with questions). The back of the Nova guidebook is a good place to start. Scout units approve their own Nova counselors. All Counselors must be at least 21 years old. MENTORS > A “mentor,” on the other hand, is ideally someone who has successfully negotiated a STEM career path or has other subject matter expertise (such as hobbies or other special training) and is willing to share accumulated wisdom and experience. Please submit a Supernova Awards Mentor Information Form to Council for Approval. All Mentors must be at least 21 years old.

25 Adult Registration Like merit badge counselors, all Nova counselors and Supernova Award Mentors must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America and be current with BSA Youth Protection Training. Supernova Awards Mentor also need to submit the Information Form. Ask your Scoutmaster for an Adult Application or download. * Supernova mentors register under the new Supernova Mentor position code 52. This is a non-unit position and requires no fee.

25 PPC Supernova Recipients Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Award For Venturers - Bronze level Alex Smith - Crew 8, Chatham Township, Fishawack District - November 2014 Charles Nary - Crew 8, Chatham Township, Fishawack District - November 2014

25 PPC Supernova Recipients Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award For Webelos Scouts Bernie B. - Pack 42, South Bound Brook, Raritan Valley District - January 2014 Thomas B. - Pack 49, Jefferson Township, Black River District - November 2014

PPC Supernova Recipients Dr. Louis W. Alvarez Supernova Award For Cub Scouts Thomas B. - Pack 49, Jefferson Township, Black River District - May 2013 Zachary D. - Pack 49, Jefferson Township, Black River District - May 2013 Patrick B. - Pack 49, Jefferson Township, Black River District - April 2014 Francis G. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014 Jarret L. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014 Ryan M. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014 Sean M. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014 James N. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014 Ryan Z. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014 Patrick M. - Pack 113, Rockaway Township, Black River District - November 2014 Andrew S. - Pack 113, Rockaway Township, Black River District - November 2014

24 Supernova Award Mentors  STEM-related activities and Nova awards are designed to be fun. We want to build confidence and communicate that career opportunities in STEM fields are attainable, fulfilling, and interesting.  Publish the prerequisites ahead of time, follow the requirements of the award making no deletions or additions, ensuring that the badge and or award standards are fair and uniform for all youth. 24 STEM is FUN!

24 Supernova Award Mentors  All experiments or projects should be conducted using the highest level of safety protocol and should always be under the supervision of a qualified, responsible adult.  The goal is to encourage youth to stretch and grow, yet not frustrate them or turn them off of STEM activities by making them too hard. We have tried to address this within the scope of the requirements for each age group, but you will be the one assessing your youth’s readiness. The best advice is to know the youth you are working with. 24 STEM is FUN!

24 Supernova Award Mentors  We recommend no more than a den- or patrol-size group (maximum of 8 to 10. Larger events 20 per class.  There is no set amount of time or number of sessions other than aging out of a specific program. 24 STEM is FUN!

24 For Further Information 24 The Patriots Path Council’s STEM website Or PPBSA.org Committees STEM

32 Thank you!