Cub Scout STEM Program
What is STEM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM has been an important buzzword in the education world for quite some time. It should come as no surprise to anyone that our nation is lagging behind in STEM areas. The good news is that the Boy Scouts of America has always incorporated STEM elements into its program. The great news is that in the last few years, the BSA has added new STEM elements to the program, such as robotics and geocaching, and recently has launched a new program of STEM awards for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers, called the Nova Award.
Your Scouts are able to earn new awards for doing STEM activities! In addition, many of today’s merit badges and adventure loops can be used towards these new awards!
Nova Award
The Boy Scouts of America's NOVA Awards program incorporates learning with cool activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers. The hope is that the requirements and activities for earning these awards stimulates interest in STEM-related fields and shows how science, technology, engineering and mathematics apply to everyday living and the world around them. Counselors and mentors help bring this engaging, contemporary, and fun program to life for youth members.
The Nova AwardsThere are seven Nova awards for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts. Each award covers one component of STEM—science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Requirements can be found here.
For their first Nova award, Scouts earn the distinctive Nova award patch. After that, a Scout can earn six more Nova awards, each one recognized with a separate pi (π) pin-on device that attaches to the patch. The patch and the three devices represent each of the four STEM topics—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Supernova Award
The Supernova awards have more rigorous requirements than the Nova awards. The requirements and activities were designed to motivate youth and recognize more in-depth, advanced achievement in STEM-related activities.
For Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts: Dr. Louis Alvarez Supernova Award
For Webelos Scouts: Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award
For earning the Supernova award, Scouts receive a medal and certificate.
The requirements for the Supernova Award can be found here.
Anyone interested should contact Jeff Dahl at [email protected]
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM has been an important buzzword in the education world for quite some time. It should come as no surprise to anyone that our nation is lagging behind in STEM areas. The good news is that the Boy Scouts of America has always incorporated STEM elements into its program. The great news is that in the last few years, the BSA has added new STEM elements to the program, such as robotics and geocaching, and recently has launched a new program of STEM awards for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers, called the Nova Award.
Your Scouts are able to earn new awards for doing STEM activities! In addition, many of today’s merit badges and adventure loops can be used towards these new awards!
Nova Award
The Boy Scouts of America's NOVA Awards program incorporates learning with cool activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers. The hope is that the requirements and activities for earning these awards stimulates interest in STEM-related fields and shows how science, technology, engineering and mathematics apply to everyday living and the world around them. Counselors and mentors help bring this engaging, contemporary, and fun program to life for youth members.
The Nova AwardsThere are seven Nova awards for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts. Each award covers one component of STEM—science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
- Cub Scout Nova awards: Science Everywhere, Tech Talk, Down and Dirty, Wild, Out of this World, Swing!, and 1-2-3 Go!
Requirements can be found here.
For their first Nova award, Scouts earn the distinctive Nova award patch. After that, a Scout can earn six more Nova awards, each one recognized with a separate pi (π) pin-on device that attaches to the patch. The patch and the three devices represent each of the four STEM topics—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Supernova Award
The Supernova awards have more rigorous requirements than the Nova awards. The requirements and activities were designed to motivate youth and recognize more in-depth, advanced achievement in STEM-related activities.
For Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts: Dr. Louis Alvarez Supernova Award
For Webelos Scouts: Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award
For earning the Supernova award, Scouts receive a medal and certificate.
The requirements for the Supernova Award can be found here.
Anyone interested should contact Jeff Dahl at [email protected]
