STEM Nova Counselor 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 role of Nova Counselor  Gain a general sense of the Nova Award requirements,  Learn key strategies for guiding youth in the Nova awards,  Have suggestions for bringing the STEM Awards to your unit.  Know how to become a registered Nova Counselor.

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 (fun STEM activities)  Supernova (high achievement)

Nova Awards Cub Scouts S: Science Everywhere T: Tech Talk E: Swing! M: 1, 2, 3, Go! (More in development) Each includes a STEM Belt Loop or Pin Boy Scouts S: Shoot! T: Start Your Engines E: Whoosh! M: Designed to Crunch (More in development) Each includes a STEM Merit Badge Venturers S: Launch! T: Power Up E: Hang On! M: Numbers Don’t Lie (More in development) Each includes a STEM Exploration

Structure Across Programs

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Dr. Charles Townes Dr. Bernard Harris Thomas Alva Edison Dr. Sally Ride Wright Brothers Dr. Albert Einstein

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? Have you ever played soccer, golf, or bowling? –You understand motion of objects. Have you ever cooked, built things, worked in the garden? –You know how to measure and calculate. Have you ever gone fishing, dug a hole, or hit a baseball? –You understand simple machines. Have you ever ridden a bike, driven a car, or sailed a boat? –You understand energy production and use. Have you ever read a book or researched on the internet? –You understand how to prepare to guide learning. Anyone who understands the material and can guide learning can be a Nova Counselor

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 belt loop or pin (from a list): badminton, fishing, ultimate,… (eight more choices) 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.When in a counseling assignment does your action item occur? 3.Find and stand with your group. Working Through the Requirements Getting Started Handling the Admin of Getting the Award

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 – Fun with a Purpose 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 Science Scientists engage in systematic measurement, observation, and testing. They search for patterns and predictability. Technology Technology innovators 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. Mathematics Mathematicians do more than crunch numbers. They also observe patterns, solve problems, and utilize logic. Engineering Engineers invent, design, and build things. They often (a) deconstruct and analyze, (b) build and test, and (c) design and re-design.

The Well-Prepared Traveler of the Universe Activity 1.Open your package. 2.Look at your object and the list of uses and questions. 3.Brainstorm 1 additional use. 4.Brainstorm 1 additional question that connects your object to STEM.

Connecting STEM to Everyday Life Think in terms 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 (very young Cubs) Cyberchase (PBS) 1-7: Codename Icky 1. Watch/read 2. Mathematics Pin 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 Start with BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting! Ensure Internet Safety Bring in a Consultant with Safety Expertise Just Say STOP!

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.

In Conclusion HAVE FUN with the Nova Award activities. We so appreciate your time and efforts. THANK YOU for bringing this great program to BSA’s youth.