Transcript Supernova Award Class Presentation

The STEM Supernova
Awards Program
Patriot’s Path Council
Boy Scouts of America
Jim Kukucka
STEM Committee Chairman
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Jimmy DaSilva
STEM-Nova Cub Scout Program
Sub Committee Lead
Timothy Farrell
STEM-Nova Boy Scout Program
Sub Committee Lead
December 6, 2014
WHAT is STEM?
 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-discipline.
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 Highlight STEM content in existing Scouting Program.
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Why STEM?
• Our country is falling behind in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM)
• In 2009, just 34 percent of U.S. 8th graders were rated proficient or
higher in a national math assessment.
• In an international exam given, U.S. high school students ranked
21st out of 30 industrialized nations in science and 25th in math.
• Only 43 percent of U.S. high school graduates in 2010 were ready
for college work in math and 29 percent were ready in science.
• China graduates more engineers per year than the U.S. graduates
in all fields.
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Why STEM?
 STEM is the future.
 STEM education is an economic imperative.
Experts say that technological innovation accounted for almost half
of U.S. economic growth over the past 50 years, and almost all of the
30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least
some background in STEM.
 STEM literacy has a profound and growing impact on
our day-to-day lives.
The National Science Foundation estimates that 80% of the jobs
created in the next decade will require some form of math and science
skills.
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Nova and Supernova Programs
 Nova Program
Based on accomplishment of existing program activities (belt
loops, merit badges, venturing activity areas)
Extends and enhances existing program activities
Adult counselors familiar with STEM topics guide explorations
and provide advancement quality control
 Supernova Program
Significant accomplishment extending program activities
Learn some fundamentals of the topic areas
Original STEM investigations and projects
Adult mentors who are accomplished STEM practitioners guide
explorations and provide advancement quality control
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The Nova Program Guide Book
Available as a PDF
download or
purchase at the
Scout Shop
Cub Scouts
Science Everywhere
Boy Scouts
Shoot!
Venturing
Launch!
Tech Talk
Start Your Engines!
Power Up
Swing!
Whoosh!
Hang On!
1-2-3 Go!
Designed to Crunch
Numbers Dont Lie
’
Nova Award
Cub Scout:

Science Everywhere

Tech Talk

Swing!

1-2-3 Go!
Boy Scout:

Shoot!

Start Your Engines

Whoosh!

Designed to Crunch
Venturing:
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
Launch!

Power Up

Hang On!

Numbers Don’t Lie
Nova Activity Awards
 First award earns a Nova patch
 Next awards earn Nova pins for
the patch (up to 3)
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Supernova Program Activities Example
• Boy Scout Supernova Activity: Dr. Bernard Harris
Supernova Award
–
Requirements summarized:
• Must be First Class or higher.
• Earn at least three Nova awards for Boy Scouts.
• Earn Scholarship MB and four MBs from approved list.
• Complete two Supernova activity topics. Each topic includes research,
preparation, set up, coordination, organization, analysis, reflection, and
the preparation of a final report.
• Participate in a science fair or math competition.
• Shadow a science professional
• Present Nova program to Cub den or other youth group
• Review scientific method and use it to examine a selected topic
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Supernova Awards
Cub
Scouts
Boy
Scouts
Venturing
Dr. Luis W. Alvarez
Dr. Charles H. Townes
Wolf / Bear (bronze medal)
Webelos (bronze medal)
Dr. Bernard Harris
Thomas Alva Edison
(bronze medal)
(silver medal)
Dr. Sally Ride
Wright Brothers
(bronze medal)
(silver medal)
Dr. Albert Einstein
Venturer (gold
medal)
Supernova Award - Integration with
Traditional Program - Example
Merit badge from
selection list
Boy Scout is
also a
Venturer
Boy
Scouts
Dr. Bernard Harris
(bronze medal)
Thomas Alva Edison
(silver medal)
Dr. Albert Einstein
Venturer (gold medal)
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Advancement - PPC
Once any of the awards are earned by Scouts, an advancement form can be filled out and
submitted to the Scout Shop. The Advancement department will keep a record of the
Scout's achievement on these awards. Use the Advancement Report, No.34403, to
document completion of the Nova Award.
For those Scouts working on the Supernova medals, the Supernova Award
Application can be downloaded at the Patriots’ Path STEM Committee website
and turned in with the advancement form. The application must be signed by
the Scout, Unit Leader, Mentor, STEM Committee Chair, and Council Scout
Executive.
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Nova Program Counselors and
Supernova Award Mentors
COUNSELORS
> Parents and unit leaders may serve as Nova counselors even if they have
little or no background in STEM (although of course they do need to
understand the material well enough to help the youth with questions). The
back of the Nova guidebook is a good place to start. Scout units approve their
own Nova counselors. All Counselors must be at least 21 years old.
MENTORS
> 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. Please submit a Supernova Awards Mentor Information Form
to Council for Approval. All Mentors must be at least 21 years old.
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Adult Registration
Like merit badge counselors, all Nova counselors and Supernova Award Mentors
must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America and be current with BSA Youth
Protection Training. Supernova Awards Mentor also need to submit the Information Form.
Ask your Scoutmaster for
an Adult Application or
download.* Supernova
mentors register under the
new Supernova Mentor
position code 52. This is a
non-unit position and
requires no fee.
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PPC Supernova
Recipients
Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Award
For Venturers - Bronze level
Alex Smith - Crew 8, Chatham Township, Fishawack District - November 2014
Charles Nary - Crew 8, Chatham Township, Fishawack District - November 2014
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PPC Supernova
Recipients
Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award
For Webelos Scouts
Bernie B. - Pack 42, South Bound Brook, Raritan Valley District - January 2014
Thomas B. - Pack 49, Jefferson Township, Black River District - November 2014
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PPC Supernova
Recipients
Dr. Louis W. Alvarez Supernova Award
For Cub Scouts
Thomas B. - Pack 49, Jefferson Township, Black River District - May 2013
Zachary D. - Pack 49, Jefferson Township, Black River District - May 2013
Patrick B. - Pack 49, Jefferson Township, Black River District - April 2014
Francis G. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014
Jarret L. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014
Ryan M. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014
Sean M. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014
James N. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014
Ryan Z. - Pack 165, Rockaway Township, Black River District - May 2014
Patrick M. - Pack 113, Rockaway Township, Black River District - November 2014
Andrew S. - Pack 113, Rockaway Township, Black River District - November 2014
Supernova Award Mentors
STEM is FUN!
 STEM-related activities and Nova awards are
designed to be fun. We want to build confidence and
communicate that career opportunities in STEM
fields are attainable, fulfilling, and interesting.
 Publish the prerequisites ahead of time, follow the
requirements of the award making no deletions or
additions, ensuring that the badge and or award
standards are fair and uniform for all youth.
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Supernova Award Mentors
STEM is FUN!
 All experiments or projects should be conducted using the
highest level of safety protocol and should always be under
the supervision of a qualified, responsible adult.
 The goal is to encourage youth to stretch and grow, yet not
frustrate them or turn them off of STEM activities by making
them too hard. We have tried to address this within the scope
of the requirements for each age group, but you will be the one
assessing your youth’s readiness. The best advice is to know
the youth you are working with.
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Supernova Award Mentors
STEM is FUN!
 We recommend no more than a den- or patrol-size group
(maximum of 8 to 10. Larger events 20 per class.
 There is no set amount of time or number of sessions other than
aging out of a specific program.
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For Further Information
The Patriots Path Council’s STEM website
http://programs.ppbsa.org/stem/index.html
Or
PPBSA.org
Committees
STEM
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Thank you!
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