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Cub Scout Pack 107
(Shelby, North Carolina)
 
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NOVA Awards

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

Shortcut:
NOVA
STEM
STEM/NOVA Award patch
STEM/NOVA Award patch
STEM/NOVA Award ? pin
 
STEM/NOVA Award ? pin

The BSA's STEM/NOVA Awards program is designed to introduce and encourage further study of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers. A Scout may earn all four Nova awards. The Supernova awards are designed to inspire further study. It is recommended that you complete at least two Nova awards before starting the requirements for the Supernova award.

Scouts may complete any Nova award with a parent or unit leader’s guidance. However, Supernova Awards mentors must be approved by the local council. (Note: Tiger Cubs are not eligible to participate in the STEM/NOVA Awards program.)

Contents

Awards

Scouts earn the distinctive Nova award patch upon completion of their first award. For each additional award earned they are recognized with a separate pi (p) device that attaches to the patch. The patch and devices represent each of the four S.T.E.M. topics — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Scouts earning the Supernova award are recognized with a medal and certificate.

Award Levels

Nova Award

Cub Scout

Science Everywhere

This module is designed to help you explore how science affects your life each day.

1. Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements.

A. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about anything related to science. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
B. Read (about one hour total) about anything related to science. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
C. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything related to science. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

2. Complete ONE belt loop or pin from the following list. (Choose one that you have not already earned.)

3. Act like a scientist! Do EACH of the following:

A. With your counselor, choose a question you would like to investigate. Here are some examples only (you may get other ideas from your belt loop or pin activities):
1. Why do rockets have fins? Is there any connection between the feathers on arrows and fins on rockets?
2. Why do some cars have spoilers? How do spoilers work?
3. If there is a creek or stream in your neighborhood, where does it go? Does your stream flow to the Atlantic or the Pacific ocean?
4. Is the creek or stream in your neighborhood or park polluted?
5. What other activity can you think of that involves some kind of scientific questions or investigation?
B. With a parent or your counselor, use the scientific method/process to investigate your question. Keep records of your question, the information you found, how you investigated, and what you found out about your question.
C. Discuss your investigation and findings with your counselor.

4. Visit a place where science is being done, used, or explained, such as one of the following: zoo, aquarium, water treatment plant, observatory, science museum, weather station, fish hatchery, or any other location where science is being done, used, or explained.

A. During your visit, talk to someone in charge about science.
B. Discuss with your counselor the science done, used, or explained at the place you visited.

5. Discuss with your counselor how science affects your everyday life.

Tech Talk

This module is designed to help you explore how technology affects your life each day.

1. Look up a definition of the word "technology" and discuss the meaning with your counselor.

2. Discuss EACH of the following with your counselor.

A. How technology is used in EACH of the following fields:
1. Communication
2. Business
3. Construction
4. Sports
5. Entertainment
B. Tell why technology is important.

3. Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements.

A. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about anything related to technology. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
B. Read (about one hour total) about anything related to technology. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
C. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything related to technology. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

4. Complete ONE belt loop or pin from the following list. (Choose one that you have not already earned.)

5. What technology is used in your belt loop or pin?

A. Discuss with your counselor how you think this technology:
1. Was invented
2. Could be made better
B. Discuss your ideas about technology with your counselor.

6. Visit a place where technology is being designed, used, or explained, such as one of the following: an amusement park, a police or fire station, a radio or television station, a newspaper office, a factory or store, or any other location where technology is being designed, used, or explained.

A. During your visit, talk to someone in charge about the following:
1. The technologies used where you are visiting
2. Why the organization is using these technologies
B. Discuss with your counselor the technology that is designed, used, or explained at the place you visited.

7. Discuss with your counselor how technology affects your everyday life.

Swing!

This module is designed to help you explore how engineering and simple machines called levers affect your life each day.

1. Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements.

A. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about anything related to motion or machines. Then do the following:
Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
B. Read (about one hour total) about anything related to motion or machines. Then do the following:
Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.
Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
C. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything related to motion or machines. Then do the following:
Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.
Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

2. Complete ONE belt loop or pin from the following list. (Choose one that you have not already earned.)

3. Levers

A. Make a list or drawing of the three types of levers. (A lever is one kind of simple machine.)
B. Be able to tell your counselor:
1. The class of each lever
2. How each lever works
C. With your counselor, discuss:
1. The type of lever that is involved with the motion for the belt loop or pin you chose for requirement 2
2. What you learned about levers and motion from earning your belt loop or pin
3. Why we use levers

4. Do the following:

A. Visit a place that uses levers, such as a playground, carpentry shop, construction site, restaurant kitchen, or any other location that uses levers.
B. Discuss with your counselor the equipment or tools that use levers in the place you visited.

5. Do EACH of the following:

A. On your own, design, including a drawing, sketch, or model, ONE of the following:
1. A playground fixture that uses a lever
2. A game or sport that uses a lever
3. An invention that uses a lever
B. Discuss with your counselor how the lever in your design will move something.

6. Discuss with your counselor how levers affect your everyday life.

1-2-3 Go!

This module is designed to help you explore how math affects your life each day.

1. Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements.

A. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show that involves math or physics. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
B. Read (about one hour total) about anything that involves math or physics. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
C. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything that involves math or physics. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor

2. Complete the Mathematics OR Computers pin

3. Choose TWO options from A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements for those options. Keep your work to share with your counselor. The necessary information to make your calculations can be found in a book or on the Internet. You may work with a parent or your counselor on these calculations.

A. Choose TWO of the following places and calculate how much you would weigh there.
1. On the sun or the moon
2. On Jupiter or Pluto
3. On a planet that you choose
B. Choose ONE of the following and calculate its height:
1. A tree
2. Your house
3. A building of your choice
C. Calculate the volume of air in your bedroom. Make sure your measurements have the same units—all feet or all inches—and show your work.

4. Secret Codes

A. Look up, then discuss with your counselor each of the following:
1. Cryptography
2. At least three ways secret codes or ciphers are made
3. How secret codes and ciphers relate to mathematics
B. Design a secret code or cipher. Then do the following:
1. Write a message in your code or cipher.
2. Share your code or cipher with your counselor.

5.Discuss with your counselor how math affects your everyday life.

Adult

  • Two years on local NOVA Committee
  • Recruit three active mentors that ensure minimum of one scout receives NOVA award
  • Mentor at least ten Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts that receive NOVA award
  • Organize, plan and implement a NOVA or other STEM related program at a Cub Scout Day Camp, a Boy Scout Summer Camp, Council level Camporee, Merit Badge University, or a comparable Venturing event.
  • Apply for recognition to Council NOVA/SuperNOVA Board

Supernova Awards

Wolf and Bear Scouts

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award

This Supernova award can be earned by Cub Scouts like you who want to soar in science.

It is recommended, but not required, that a Cub Scout earn two of the four Nova awards before earning the Supernova award.

A Note to the Counselor The Cub Scout Supernova award recognizes superior achievement by a Cub Scout in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). All experiments or projects should be conducted using the highest level of safety protocol and always under the supervision of a qualified, responsible adult. Tiger Cubs are not eligible to earn the Cub Scout Supernova award. Although it is not a requirement, it is recommended that you earn at least two of the four Nova awards for Cub Scouts before earning the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award.

Requirements

1. Earn the Science AND Mathematics Cub Scout academic pins.
2. Earn THREE of the following Cub Scout academic pins: Astronomy, Computers, Geography, Geology, Map and Compass, Nutrition, Pet Care, Photography, Reading and Writing, Video Games, Weather, and Wildlife Conservation.
3. Find interesting facts about Dr. Luis W. Alvarez using resources in your school or local library or on the Internet (with your parent's or guardian's permission and guidance). Then discuss what you learn with your mentor, including answers to the following questions: What very important award did Dr. Alvarez earn? What was his famous theory about dinosaurs?
4. Find out about three other famous scientists, technology innovators, engineers, or mathematicians approved by your mentor. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
5. Speak with your teacher(s) at school (or your parents if you are home-schooled) OR one of your Cub Scout leaders about your interest in earning the Cub Scout Supernova award. Ask them why they think math and science are important in your education. Discuss what you learn with your mentor.
6. Participate in a science project or experiment in your classroom or school OR do a special science project approved by your teacher. Discuss this activity with your mentor.
7. Do ONE of the following:
A. Visit with someone who works in a STEM-related career. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
B. Learn about a career that depends on knowledge about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
8. Learn about the scientific method (or scientific process). Discuss this with your mentor, and include a simple demonstration to show what you learned.
9. Participate in a Nova- or other STEM-related activity in your Cub Scout den or pack meeting that is conducted by a Boy Scout or Venturer who is working on his or her Supernova award. If this is not possible, participate in another Nova- or STEM-related activity in your den or pack meeting.
10. Submit an application for the Cub Scout Supernova award to the district Nova or advancement committee for approval.

Webelos Scout

Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award

To earn the Webelos Scout Supernova award, you must be a Webelos Scout who is active with a den. With your parent’s and unit leader’s help, you must select a council-approved mentor who is a registered Scouter. You may NOT choose your parent or your unit leader (unless the mentor is working with more than one youth).

If you earned the Cub Scout Supernova award, you must repeat similar requirements while you are a Webelos Scout.

Requirements

1. Earn the Scholar AND Scientist AND Engineer Webelos Scout activity badges.
2. Earn THREE of the following Webelos Scout activity badges: Craftsman, Forester, Geologist, Naturalist, Outdoorsman, and Readyman.
3. Find interesting facts about Dr. Charles H. Townes using resources in your school or local library or on the Internet (with your parent’s or guardian’s permission and guidance). Then discuss what you learned with your mentor, including answers to the following questions: What very important award did Dr. Townes earn? What was Dr. Townes’ most famous invention?
4. Find out about five other famous scientists, technology innovators, engineers, or mathematicians approved by your mentor. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
5. Speak with your teacher(s) at school (or your parents if you are home-schooled) OR one of your Cub Scout leaders about your interest in earning the Webelos Scout Supernova award. Ask them why they think math and science are important in your education. Discuss what you learn with your mentor.
6. Participate in a science project or experiment in your classroom or school. Discuss this activity with your mentor.
7. Do ONE of the following:
A. Visit with someone who works in a STEM-related career. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
B. Learn about a career that depends on knowledge about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
8. Under the direct supervision of your mentor, do an experiment that shows how the scientific method (or scientific process) is used. Prepare a short report on the results of your experiment for your mentor.
9. Participate in a Nova- or other STEM-related activity in your Webelos Scout den or pack meeting that is conducted by a Boy Scout or Venturer who is working on his or her Supernova award. If this is not possible, participate in another Nova- or STEM-related activity in your den or pack meeting.
10. Submit an application for the Webelos Scout Supernova award to the district Nova or advancement committee for approval.


Adult

Dr. Paul A. Siple Supernova Award

  • Registered scouter that is an approved mentor and recommended by Council NOVA/SuperNOVA Committee
  • Two years on local SuperNOVA Committee
  • Recruit three active SuperNOVA mentors that ensure minimum of one scout receives SuperNOVA award
  • Serve as a SUPERNOVA Mentor for at least ten Cub Scouts who earn either Alvarez or Townes awards, OR at least ?ve Boy Scouts who earn at least three Harris Awards, one Edison Award, and one Einstein Award, OR at least ?ve Venturers who earn Ride awards.
  • Organize, plan and implement a SuperNOVA or other STEM related program at a Cub Scout Day Camp, a Boy Scout Summer Camp, Council level Camporee, Merit Badge University, or a comparable Venturing event.
  • Apply for recognition to Council NOVA/SuperNOVA Board

Resources

  • Volume = Length × Width × Height

References