BALTIMORE AREA COUNCIL STEM & NOVA PROGRAM IN BOY SCOUTING C. PATRICK SHIELDS STEM and Scouting

Welcome to “What is STEM!” Introductions & about this session. Find this Presentation at Our Agenda:  What is STEM and how it relates to scouting.  How do the Nova & Supernova requirements work?  Earning each award & those involved.  Methods and Ideas in this award process.  Resources, programs & growing STEM  What does the future hold?

Have you Heard of STEM and Nova? Who knows about the Nova and Supernova awards? What STEM programs are Scouts already doing in schools? Do you know any scouts who have earned the Nova Award?  Individual scouts or a group? What other STEM programs are you involved in?  Scouting programs or school programs? What does your child get from these programs? What are you looking for them to get?

What is Nova? Nova Award:  Practical knowledge award for understanding STEM, related careers and how scout skills are relevant to their education. Requirements for each discipline:  Cub Scouts – 1 hour of learning, a belt loop/pin, activities.  Boy Scouts – 3 hours of learning, a merit badge, experiments.  Venturing – 3 hours of learning, an exploration, experiments. Award Process  Confirmed within the unit leadership, awarded within the unit. Who can accomplish it?  Everyone! Best done in groups or a part of regular activities.

What is Supernova? Supernova award:  Higher, academic based achievement done over the course of months. Best for scouts motivated by STEM education. The process:  Find a mentor. Begin the requirements. Keep a record of all progress. Finish award. Take packet and application to district. Approved application is sent to council for confirmation. What is a mentor?  A qualified supervisor to the scout through the award process. So what is the difference?

Supernova vs. Nova Nova Award:  The Nova award can be earned by all scouts and worked on by the troop.  Any adult leader can sign off on Nova Requirements. Supernova Award:  A mentor must be the one to sign off on a scout’s requirements for Supernova.  When completed, a scout must have their Supernova packet confirmed by the district advancement committee.

Nova or STEM in Weekly Program Earning Nova as a group.  Choosing a discipline to work into the program.  Adding and mixing it with merit badges and activities are already doing. Purposes of Nova education.  Earning the achievements with STEM in mind.  Can also add on an academic purpose to Orienteering, shooting sports and physical activities. Traveling or local?  Are “field trips” needed? Can it all be done at the meeting?

Supernova from Start to Finish STEP 1: A scout finds a mentor that agrees to council work on Supernova. STEP 2: The mentor reviews that all prerequisites are complete before working on other requirements. STEP 3: The mentor councils then approves progress made by the scout. The scout’s work is recorded in a folder. STEP 4: On completion the scout takes his signed application and progress folder to the district advancement committee for approval. STEP 5: The district approves and passes on the application to council to be processed. STEP 6: The scout is presented the award by the unit.

Supernova: Looking at Different Tiers Broken down by program then by individual levels. General Theme of requirements:  Some prerequisites to qualify.  Earn some scouting awards from a list of choices that are STEM relevant.  Complete some more STEM exploration. Different Tiers  Cubs and Webelos have their own award.  Boy Scouts have a first and second level award.  Venturing has three levels.

Cubs & Webelos Supernova Wolves and Bears can earn the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova award. Webelos can earn the Charles H. Townes Supernova award. Tigers are not eligible for the Supernova. Each award is geared towards each group’s age group.

Boy Scout & Venturing Supernova Requires points of the Nova complete. Certain merit badges complete for Boy Scouts and Explorations for Venturers. Both have two tiers. The first must be finished to work on the next. Venturing has a third, college oriented award that must be approved by the Council then passed on to national.

Common Questions How far back can badges be relevant? Approval process? Problems being confirmed by council? But I heard…?

What Have We Done? What events have we designed? What are the goals of these STEM events?  Offer a chance for scouts earn their badges with the mindset of STEM and Nova in mind.  Bring in companies and organizations who want to share their careers and materials to as many scouts as possible. How can STEM work in other events?  Nova requirements make for great station activities.  Labeling Nova badges/pins at events.  Adds a level of depth appeal that is relevant to their education.

Nova at Summer Camp Nova at Broad Creek  Nova can be earned by signing up for a discipline like a normal merit badge class.  You can apply merit badges from the Merit Badge Days to the scout’s pin.  14 STEM badges are offered at camp. Nova at Other Camps  STEM expected to grow in summer camps across the country.

We need your help! Promote a Nova program as part of your calendar!  See if there is a badge, pin or achievement that can act as a good jumping off point to work from. Help us mentor Supernova!  Reach out to teachers, professionals or educated individuals who may be willing to mentor. Can it be part of your local events?  Ask if STEM program can be added to your events. What does the council need?  Merit badge instructors and STEM trainers wanted!

What Does the Future Hold? Can’t we teach scouts how to use technology? STEM has been a part of scouts for years. Lastly scouting is designed to teach youth practical skills to be Prepared for Life.

Resources Mentor Form & Adult App Requirements Stem Flyers Powerpoints Contact Us:  Patrick Shields  Ian Smith Let us know on your progress!