1. 1 STEM Awards Training for NOVA Counselors AND Supernova Mentors Find the Clues at NCAC’s Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow 2014 Tony Petruzzi Powhatan District abpetruzzi@verizon.net

2. 2 STEM Awards Training FOR NOVA Counselors AND Supernova Mentors

3. 3 This course is intended to provide Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors with the basic information they need to conduct successful Nova counseling and Supernova mentoring sessions and projects. Introduction

4. 4 The baseline of this training is to assist the Counselor and Mentor in improving the Scouts’ advancement experience as well as their appreciation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, also known as S – T – E – M. This course will take 90 minutes to complete. Baseline

5. 5 At the end of this course, you will be able to: Know duties of a STEM Counselor and Mentor. List some methods of counseling, mentoring and coaching. Know the Scientific Method. Successfully guide a Scout through the Supernova Award process. Learning Objectives

6. 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-disciplined” approach or in layman’s terms; make education in these areas more fun and interesting!! WHAT IS STEM? Science Technology Engineering Math

7. Americans need STEM: -To have a better understanding of our rapidly changing scientific/technological world -To ensure we are developing analytical/problem-solving skills -To keep up the competitive demand for STEM capability WHY STEM? The US is falling behind the rest of the developed world and even some 3 rd world nations in the ‘hard sciences’!

8. STEM aides in meeting intent of the ‘Aims of Scouting’. Character Development Intellectual curiosity, self- reliance, skills to help others Citizenship Pathway to building a better community and nation Personal Fitness Increased mental capability and leadership WHY STEM IN SCOUTING? Aims of Scouting: STEM Aides:

9. What Is Science? “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” - Carl Sagan “The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers; he’s the one who asks the right questions.” - Claude Levi-Strauss Science is a personal quest to understand how the world works.

10. What Is the Scientific Method? PART I - Observation through Hypothesis 1. Curious Observation 2. Is There a Problem? 3. Goals and Planning 4. Search, Explore, and Gather the Evidence 5. Generate Creative and Logical Alternatives 6. Evaluate the Evidence 7. Make the Educated Guess (Hypothesis)

11. 11 PART II - Challenge through Suspend Judgment 8. Challenge the Hypothesis 9. Reach a Conclusion 10. Suspend Judgment What Is the Scientific Method?

12. 12 PART III - Implementation, Peer Review 11. Take Action What Is the Scientific Method?

13. 13 -Technology/Engineering = Science applied to practical problems - Mathematics = The vital means of scientific measurement and insight Technology Engineering Mathematics WHAT IS: The goal of the STEM awards is to foster the adoption of the Scientific Method.

14. The NOVA Award NOVA Awards are designed in a way to make learning fun ! Cub Scouts: Science Everywhere (Science) Tech Talk (Technology) Swing (Engineering) Designed to Crunch (Math) Boy Scouts: Projectiles and Space (Science) Start Your Engines (Technology) Whoosh! (Engineering) Designed to Crunch (Math) Venturers: What is Science BSA has created new awards to encourage Scouts and Venturers to take advantage of STEM activities and awards as part of advancements as Scout.

15. 15 The role of the role of the STEM Counselor is: To help the youth to complete the STEM Nova awards Parents and unit leaders may serve as Nova counselors even if they have little or no background in STEM. The Role of the STEM Counselor The Nova Awards are designed to enhance interest in the STEM fields while making it fun for youth to learn.

16. The SUPERNOVA Award 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 The requirements for each Supernova award are based on the ages of the Scout and are increasingly challenging.

17. 17 The role of the role of the STEM Mentor is: To help the youth to be successful! A “mentor,” is ideally someone who has successfully negotiated a STEM career path or has other subject matter expertise. To understand the problems the youth is facing (project difficulty, completion timelines, first time being required to think ‘outside the box’). The Role of the STEM Mentor The duty of the mentor is to help the youth to complete the Supernova awards and have FUN.

18. 18 The Scout/Venturer will be required to both learn about a STEM field and show some competence in that field. Develop a research project or experiment related to that field. This research project or experiment should be challenging and should require a significant investment of time and effort on their part. (A guideline, based on age of Scout, would be approximately 100 hours for a Venturer.) Using the Scientific Method, execute the project or experiment. Then prepare a complete and well-documented written report AND an oral presentation. Present both to your mentor and your District Advancement committee. Working on Supernova Projects

19.  NCAC  James Hamlin Ass’t Director of Field Service Delegated to:  District Advancement Chairman May delegate to:  District STEM Coordinator  Nova Counselor  Supernova Mentor Complete Incomplete Complete Adult application – Code 58 Print YPT Certificate Review & Sign Adult Application* James Hamiln Review & Forward to Registrar Inform STEM Coordinator after registration Inform Nova Counselor Registrar Register Nova Counselor Supernova Mentor RegistrationNova Counselor Registration Complete Incomplete Complete Adult application – Code 52 Complete Mentor Information Form 514-017 Print YPT Certificate Review Mentor Information Form—Retain a Copy Review & Sign Adult Application* James Hamiln Review & Forward to Registrar Inform STEM Coordinator after registration Inform Supernova Mentor Registrar Register Supernova Mentor NB: Parents/Guardians may counsel their own sons outside of a group setting but should keep the unit leader apprised of their progress. *Suggest retaining copy of adult application until counselor/mentor registration confirmed Sending Registration Packages to James: Mail Give to DE and let James know it’s coming NB: Parents/Guardians may mentor their own sons but only in a group setting. C² | 6/10/2014

20. 20 The steps you need to go through are these: Ask the Scout / Venturer about areas in which they would like to do a project. Be sure to generalize those topics. If the pick is a narrow area of biology, take note of that and suggest a broader, related topic. Here are some questions you may want to ask in order to get to know the Scout(s) that you are mentoring: What are their goals and aspirations? What are their hobbies? Are they interested in sports? Computer games? What would be their ideal day to do whatever they want? Pre-selection Process

21. 21 The remaining steps you need to go through are these: Understand the reasons the individual wants to do that topic. Listen and note them, but be firm that their list must contain some topics in diverse areas. Do not be judgmental, but try to understand their thoughts. Insist they also list other topics in other fields. After the list is generated, review it with them and get an approximate order of interest. Finding the right subject matter expertise, if necessary. Meet again with the individual and discuss what you have found. Pre-selection Process

22. 22 It also is important to help your Scouts to select a project that is challenging without being too difficult. Generally in Scouting, one is not to add or subtract from requirements, and for STEM the intent is the same. However, part of the reason for the Scouts have you to mentor them is to be certain the project is both doable and challenging. Degree of Difficulty

23. 23 “ Challenging” can be defined as an experiment that tests the ability of the youth and is stimulating, thought provoking, and interesting. Youth have different skills, strengths, and abilities. It is your job to be certain the experiment is providing a challenge while not being discouraging because it is too hard. The goal would be to provide the help and/or alter the experiment to better match the abilities of the youth finding it too difficult. What does BSA mean by Challenging If in a group, the youth not being challenged should have tasks added to provide the challenge.

24. 24 Though the Scientific Method has eleven steps, Scientists apply the Scientific Method as follows: How to teach the Scientific Method? 1. Decide on a research Question or Topic. 2. Conduct Research. 4. Make a plan. 6. Collect and record data.3. Develop your hypothesis. 5. Conduct your experiment. 7. Draw conclusions.

25. 25 The mentor will help the Scout / Venturer: To decide upon potential topics To develop a question from the selected topic To identify and recruit the appropriate subject matter experts, if necessary, to assist you! To assist the youth in their quest To determine the difficulty, complexity of the project and whether the question can be tested and measured Deciding on a Topic

26. 26 The mentor will help the Scout / Venturer: To learn more about the topic To research concerning the topic To write or talk the appropriate subject matter experts To the experts where they work or to visit where their topic is being examined, operating, etc. Conduct Research

27. 27 Based on the research, the mentor will help the Scout / Venturer: To come up with possible answers to your Scout’s question Develop your Hypothesis A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. A useful scientific hypothesis is based on previous observations and is tested through experiment. BUT, What is a Hypothesis?

28. 28 The mentor will help the Scout / Venturer: To design an experiment to help answer your question To help the Scout write a detailed procedure, or even a step by step plan Make a Plan

29. 29 The mentor will help the Scout / Venturer: -To separate the system from the surroundings -To design the system to remove irrelevant or confounding phenomena -To identify variables to be adjusted - To designate a baseline control, constants, as appropriate Design Your Experiment Here is where the mentor discusses with the Scout the concept of keeping some parts of the experiment the same every time (constants) and other parts of the experiment the Scout would change every time (variables).

30. 30 The mentor will help the Scout / Venturer: To gather the various materials for the experiment To prepare the system apparatus or specimens To conduct the experiment Conduct your Experiment To get the most reliable results, most scientific journals recommend that an experiment be conducted multiple times without changing any variables.

31. 31 The mentor will help the Scout / Venturer: To record the experiment’s results To take pictures, if appropriate To organize the results (data) into a chart, graph, or a table Collect and Record Data Depending on the age, interest and abilities of the Scout, you could teach them how to use a spread sheet and how their findings, results can be easily turned into a chart, graph or table.

32. 32 The mentor will help the Scout / Venturer: To help the Scout analyze their data and the documented results To help them compare their results to their hypothesis To identify open questions, future hypotheses, and research directions To help them prepare a oral and written report of their work that explains their project, results, and conclusions. Draw Conclusions

33.  NCAC  District STEM Coordinator Or  Advancement Chairman  Unit  Nova Counselor  Supernova Mentor Complet e Incomplete Complete Supernova Award Application Complete Corresponding Award Worksheet Review Supernova Award Application & Worksheet Confirm Mentor’s Registration James Hamiln Review and … Registrar Enter Supernova Award Process Supernova Award Inform Supernova Mentor Process Nova Award Enter Award into Internet Advancement Print Advancement Form for Scout Store Inform Unit Advancement Chairman Purchase Patch or Pin Purchase Supernova Award Inform District STEM Coordinator

34. STEM EXERCISE: How to build a Catapult, also known as a Class 3 Lever Materials Needed:  A wire clothes hanger  Rubber bands (two No. 64 size bands work well)  One plastic spoon  Mini-marshmallows to make small balls to toss from the catapult  Measuring tape, pencil, and paper 34 http://science.wonderhowto.com/how-to/build-catapult-out-rubber-bands-wire-hanger-321541/http://science.wonderhowto.com/how-to/build-catapult-out-rubber-bands-wire-hanger-321541/ (instructions)

35. How to Build a catapult out of rubber bands & a wire hanger! 35 Now, hold your hand in the center of the hanger and pull up both sides around it. After this, fold back the front for balance and straighten it up so it's stable. Next, you will take one rubber band and put it around the sides. Then, take the spoon and put it in between the rubber band and twist. Put the second rubber band over the top and then twist this. Then use it for a catapult, Be SAFE!

36. 36 SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS TO EXPLORE -Newton's Laws of Motion -Gravity -Potential and Kinetic Energy -Conservation of Energy Under the banner of Projectile Motion: What else could you use this tool to demonstrate/explore?

37. 37 Counselors and mentors should: Learn, understand, and practice youth protection at all times. Get to know the youth who you are serving and determine their goals and abilities. Help them to understand how to self-assess their skills and abilities to assist in determining their possible careers and a direction for their lives. CLASS SUMMARY Throughout this process, the FUN of STEM and SCOUTING should be constantly emphasized.

38. 38 STEM is FUN! Be safe! Encourage youth. Age makes a difference. Group size. There is no time limit. Know your youth! STEM is FUN! Be safe! Encourage youth. Age makes a difference. Group size. There is no time limit. Know your youth! STEM is FUN!

39. 39 QUESTIONS???? Please contact: Roger Claff: claff @api.org Tony Petruzzi: abpetruzzi@verizon.net Please visit the NCAC STEM website at: http://www.ncacbsa.org/stem