1. DO NOT PRESENT THIS SLIDE
Dear presenter: Please edit this presentation to your audience:
Add your name and contact info to the final slide. You are the STEM Ambassador today and they can contact you. You can pass questions & other info back to your STEM Committee contact.
Remove slides, or otherwise alter to fit the audience and the time available.
Contact one of the STEM committee members if you need help!
Thank you for promoting STEM in PPC and helping build this great program for our Scouting Youth.

2. STEM/NOVA Program A Primer for Troop STEM Counselors
Welcome to the
STEM/NOVA Program A Primer for Troop STEM Counselors
Welcome to the STEM/Nova webinar. Today we will discuss a program that is two years in the making.

3. Why STEM? STEM Helps Fulfill the Aims of Scouting
“Every Scouting activity moves boys toward three
basic aims: character development, citizenship
training, and mental and physical fitness.”
—Scoutmaster Handbook
“Advancement is one of the eight methods used by
Scout leaders to help boys fulfill the aims of the BSA.”

4. STEM = Advancement 2.0.0.1 It Is a Method—Not an End in Itself
Advancement Is Based on Experiential Learning
Personal Growth Is the Primary Goal

5. What Is Nova?
In 2010, Exxon Mobil donated $3 million to the Boy Scouts of America to create a STEM initiative. The BSA has created the Nova Awards program. The Nova Awards are designed to enhance interest in the STEM fields while making it fun for youth to learn. The series of Nova Awards integrates many existing advancements from Scouting. The Supernova Awards challenge Scouting youth who have a greater interest in the STEM fields to experiment, understand the outcomes of these experiments, and present their findings to their Supernova mentor. These awards can earned by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers.

6. What is the Nova Awards Program?
A key component of BSA’s STEM initiative.
The Nova Awards are designed to enhance interest in the STEM fields while making it fun for youth to learn.
Nova Awards integrate many existing advancements (58 “STEM” merit badges).
These awards can earned by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers.
58 merit badges are part of one or more Nova or Supernova awards.

7. What is the SuperNova Awards Program?
Challenge Scouting youth who have a greater interest in the STEM fields to
Experiment
Understand the outcomes of these experiments
Present their findings to their Supernova mentor

8. counselors
VS.
mentors
In the Nova and Supernova awards, there are references to counselors and mentors. We use the word “counselor” for the adult working with the Nova candidates. Parents and unit leaders may serve as Nova counselors even if they have little or no background in STEM.
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.

9. Mentor Counselor Nova Awards Supernova Awards Within the Unit
Do not need a background in STEM
Mentor
Supernova Awards
Across PPC
STEM expert
Career or
Hobby/avocation to share accumulated wisdom and experience.
Interest and commitment to STEM

10. Scout Nova Awards S Shoot! T Start Your Engines E Whoosh!
M Designed to Crunch
The Nova Award is presented for understanding the basics of STEM.
Nova activities are basic and designed to spark interest in STEM.
They are straightforward to complete and have a quick “reward” of the Nova patch for the first category earned and a pi (π) pin to attach to the Nova patch for each additional category earned.

11. Whoosh!
This module is designed to help you explore how engineering affects your life each day.
2. Complete ONE merit badge from the following list
3. Do ALL of the following:
Make a list or drawing of the six simple machines.
Be able to tell your counselor the name of each machine and how each machine works.
Archery
Aviation
Model Design and Building
Composite Materials
Railroading
Drafting
Rifle Shooting
Electronics
Robotics
Engineering
Shotgun Shooting
Inventing

12. Explanations HELP Hints Requirements
In the counselor sections, you will see pages with requirements and help hints. All help hints are in colored boxes.

13. There is a requirements book for each BSA program, and each book includes Nova requirements, Supernova requirements, and a counselor/mentor section.

14. How do I Start Nova Awards in My Troop?
PLC decides to implement and sends request to Troop Committee
Troop Committee appoints a Nova Counselor; Counselor registers with PPC
Nova Counselor becomes familiar with the program
Nova Counselor provides an introductory overview to the Troop

15. How do I Start Nova Awards in My Troop? #2
Plan a course to complete the “Start Your Engines!” Nova award
(or you may choose to start with another award, there is no specified order).
Most requirements may be completed individually or as a Patrol
The final requirement to “Discuss with your counselor how [STEM] affects your everyday life.” should be 1-1 with your counselor.

16. How do I Start Nova Awards in My Troop? #3
Buy patches and pi piece devices at the Scout Shop.
When completed, present the patch/pi to the Scout.
Continue as interest and opportunities present themselves
Note: Nova awards are managed, counseled, and awarded within a Troop. No paperwork need be submitted nor are records kept outside the Troop.

17. Individuals or Patrols?
Nova Awards may be completed as a group with the Patrol (Troop-wide counseling could be too unwieldy).
Each Nova Award can also be completed individually.
Troop Counselors should encourage either route depending on interest.

18. As always, Safe Scouting: safety and supervision.
Make it FUN!
Your Message to the Youth: career opportunities in STEM fields are attainable, fulfilling, and interesting.
Personal Growth : Counselors and mentors assess youth’s readiness avoid frustrated Scouting youth
As always, Safe Scouting: safety and supervision.
Individually or up to a den- or patrol-size group (maximum of 10).
There is no set amount of time or number of sessions other than aging out of a specific program.
The best advice: know the youth you are working with.
A Nova Award should take a couple sessions.

19. Supernova Awards Venturer Boy Scout Cub Scout
Dr. Sally Ride
Bronze medal
Wright Brothers
Silver medal
(Must be a registered Venturer)
Dr. Albert Einstein
Gold medal
(Must be a registered Venturer)
Venturer
Dr. Bernard Harris
Bronze medal
Thomas Alva Edison
Silver medal
Boy Scout
For more in-depth knowledge of STEM Scouts, can work on their Supernova Award.
Completing the requirements takes more work and includes some research.
Most Supernova activities will take several weeks or months to complete.
They get more difficult as the youth works up through the awards.
To work on any level award you must be registered in that program.
After completion, Scouts will fill out their Supernova application found on
Let’s break down the levels of the awards.
Dr. Luis W. Alvarez
Wolf/Bear Cub Scout
Bronze medal
Cub Scout
Dr. Charles H. Townes
Webelos Scout
Bronze medal

20. Supplies: Local Scout Shop OR www.scoutstuff.org
You can find all requirement books, patches, pins, medals, and other STEM-related products at your local Scout shop or at

21. For more information: The Patriots Path Council’s STEM website Or
PPBSA.org
Committees
STEM

22. Questions?
Thank you for your time today.
The PPC STEM Committee are here to help!
[insert presenter’s contact info here]
We will take questions now.