1. Chief Seattle Council, Seattle WA
Program Training Conference 2015
Chief Seattle Council, Seattle WA
Course & Nova / STEM
We will walk through the program from the background of BSA’s NOVA / Supernova, to registering adults, requirements for the Scouts, ideas for the activities and the paperwork. You will earn the NOVA badge (for Cubs) while learning about the program.
Presenter: Darcy Niedermeyer, Aurora District
Please pick up Handouts : 1. Outline – Resource Sheet
BSA Applications
Characteristics sheet
1-2-3 Go NOVA worksheet Wolf Advancement: Code of the Wolf 1

2. STEM
The BSA’s Newest Program
or is it?
January 2014 2

3. Science Technology Engineering Math
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.” 3

4. Our founders, most notably Ernest Thompson Seton, understood over 100 years ago that an understanding how of scientific concepts impacted their lives was important to the development of young men. They wove the concepts throughout the program. 4

5. From Aeronautics to Zoology, hundreds of merit badges over the last century have been STEM-related.5

6. “Incorporating technology and engineering into regular curriculum by creating a ‘meta-discipline.’”6

7. Scouting has created interest in STEM careers and has prepared Scouts to go on to greater things in life. Thousands have gone on to excel in STEM fields. 7

8. Why STEM? Our nation is at a crossroads
Our country is falling behind % of our 8th graders rated proficient in Math high school students ranked 21st out of 30 in Science and 25th in Math (internationally) 2010 – 43% of high school students ready for college Math % were ready for Science
STEM is the future 80% of the jobs created in the next decade will require some form of math and science skills. 8

9. The BSA Response
THE BSA has partnered with ExxonMobil to increase STEM awareness in youth and offer them the opportunities to “Be Prepared for Life.” 9

10. The BSA NOVA Award
NOVA Awards are designed as a way to make learning fun!
Cub Scouts & Webelos Scouts
Science Everywhere, Down & Dirty, Nova WILD, Out of this World (Science)
Tech Talk (Technology)
Swing (Engineering)
I-2-3 Go! (Math)
Boy Scouts
Shoot (Science)
Start Your Engines (Technology)
Whoosh! (Engineering)
Designed to Crunch (Math)
Venturing Scouts
Launch (Science)
Power Up (Technology)
Hang on (Engineering)
Numbers don’t lie (Math) 10

11. The SUPERNOVA Award
SUPERNOVA Awards are designed to challenge those who like the STEM fields to learn even more.
The Supernova award is for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing Scouts.
The award is more involved and challenging than the NOVA award, but earning the NOVA award is not a prerequisite. 11

12. Think STEM! 12