BSA HAD STEM Supernova Presentation 1 - bsawcc.org€¦ · BSA HAD STEM Supernova Presentation 20 • Take lots of breaks to do fun stuff. Fun stuff can be demonstrations, watch a

BSA HAD STEM Supernova Presentation 1

Why is STEM important???


Why STEM?

“In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” (National Science Foundation)


http://www.nsf.gov/

http://www.nsf.gov/



Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors

With the introduction of the new Nova and Supernova awards comes a fresh opportunity for volunteer positions.

• A Nova counselor can be any registered adult age 21 or older.

• They must be registered under the newnon-unit position and no fee is required.

• The Nova counselor code is 58. • Supernova mentors must be 21 or older and be

subject matter experts in a STEM (science, technology,engineering, mathematics) field and be registered under the new Supernova Mentor position code 52.

• This is a nonunit position and requires no fee. In addition to the BSA Adult Registration form, mentors must complete the Supernova Awards Mentor Information application.


among other things, each requires earning Nova awards and merit badges, completing STEM activities, participating in a science fair or another STEM-related competition, and presenting STEM material to a Cub Scout den or pack while

. The first-level Dr. Bernard Harris bronze award also includes career exploration,


the second-level Thomas Edison silver award includes doing research on a STEM breakthrough or innovation. The Dr. Bernard Harris award is a prerequisite to the Thomas Edison award. BSA HAD STEM Supernova Presentation 8


Supernova Awards for Scouts BSA

To be eligible, you must:

*Be a First Class Scout or higher.

*As a prerequisite, you must first earn any three of the four Nova awards for Scouts BSA.

*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).


Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award

1. Complete any three of the Scouts BSA Nova awards. (Note: These may be done at any time after becoming a Scouts BSA member.)

2. Earn the Scholarship merit badge.3. Earn four of the Supernova approved merit badges

from the above list. (Note: These may be earned at any time after becoming a member of Scouts BSA.)

4. Complete TWO Supernova activity topics, one each in two different STEM areas.


https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/awards/boy-scouts-supernova-topics/

A Supernova activity topic is a two-part, hands-on, high-level activity related to one of the STEM fields. Part 1 involves research, preparation, set up,coordination, and/or organization. Part 2 involves analysis and reflection, culminating in the creation of a report in any one of the available format options. See the “Supernova Activity Topics” chapter.

5. Participate in a local, state, or national science fair or mathematics competition OR in any equally challenging STEM-oriented competition or workshop approved by your mentor. An example of this would be an X-Prize type competition.

6. Do ONE of the following:

A. With your parent’s permission and your mentor’s approval, spend at least one day “shadowing” a local scientist or engineer and report on your experience and what you learned about STEM careers to your mentor.

B. Learn about a career that is heavily involved with STEM. Make a presentation to your mentor about what you learned.


https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/awards/boy-scouts-supernova-topics/

7. Working with your mentor, organize and present a Nova award or other STEM-related program to a Cub Scout den or pack meeting. Be sure to receive approval from the appropriate unit leader and agree on a time and place for the presentation. If a Cub Scout den or pack is not available, your presentation may be given to another youth group, such as your troop or at your place of worship.


8.Review the scientific method (you may know this as the scientific process) and note how scientists establish hypotheses, theories, and laws. Compare how the establishment of “facts” or “rules” using the scientific method differs from the establishment of “facts” or “rules” in other environments, such as legal, cultural, religious, military, mathematical, or social environments. Then do the following:

A.Choose a modern scientific subject with at least two competing theories on the subject and learn as much as possible about each theory.

B.Analyze the competing theories, decide which one is most convincing to you, and explain why to your mentor.

C.Make a presentation to your mentor that describes the controversy, the competing theories, and your conclusions about how the scientific method can or cannot contribute to the resolution of the controversy.

9.Submit a Supernova award application to the district or council Nova or advancement committee for approval.



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Outline of how to get a STEM Program Started for a Boy Scout Troop

• Ask the boys if they are interested in STEM! Give it a good introduction. Let them know the benefits of earning a STEM award.• Find counselors. Remember: A STEM counselor must be 21 or older. They also must have a background in one of the STEM areas. They must also take Youth protection and all of the other requirements listed on the STEM application.• Each counselor must complete an application. The application is readily available on the BSA STEM website: http://www.scouting.org/stem/Council/Volunteer_Support.aspx.• The application must be approved by the Scout Troop’s council.• The counselor should familiarize himself with the requirements of the program he wishes to mentor: Shoot! Start Your Engines! Whoosh or/and Design and Crunch. • Pull together videos or written materials for the scouts to use for requirement 1, either A, B, or C. The information does not have to be from once source and it does not have to all be the same. Mix it up! Make it fun and interesting! Remember: You are not training the boys to be PHd’s in the subject. You are only introducing them to it. DO NOT MAKE IT BORING!!!


• Review the list of merit badges required for the STEM session. It might be a good idea to hold a joint Merit Badge course along with the STEM session. • Gather all of the materials needed to complete the STEM requirements. You will need lots of paper (copier paper is fine), crayons, pencils, pens, etc.• Pick a date to hold your course. Make it a date when school is not in session, there are no sporting events going on, and most importantly when the scouts are free to meet. The week between Christmas and New Years is probably your best bet!• The counselor should plan to bring all of the supplies: Magazines, tools, equipment, paper, pencils, food, drink, videos, etc. • Setup in advance. Make sure you go through the material yourself to ensure you have everything covered.• Remember: The goal is to complete the session. No partials!• Feed your scouts! Feed them well! Pizza, drinks, snacks, candy, fruit, etc.• Ask the boys lots of questions about what they think something is all about. (You may get a lot of funny answers!) You will be pleasantly surprised how bright these scouts can be.


• Take lots of breaks to do fun stuff. Fun stuff can be demonstrations, watch a fun video on the topic, play a game related to the topic, do team exercises, or have contests (award small prizes!)• Keep the session moving. Do not stall the session if there is a technical difficulty. Have a helper resolve the technical difficulty on the side while you move on to another topic within your session. Long waiting is boooooorrrrrrrrrriiiiiinnnnngggg!• Make sure all boys are involved! Ask each boy a question in turn. You can help them out with the answers. If a boy seems to be confused, tell him he can phone a friend for help (someone within the room).• One idea to keep it fun is to bring a large bag of small prizes (candy, bric-a-brac, pens, toys, etc.). Let the boys know there will lots of opportunities to earn a prize during the session. At periodic intervals, ask a question and pick a volunteer. If the volunteer gets the answer right, give him an award!• Ask the boys for feedback: “How am I doing?”• Complete the 34403 report for all scouts that complete the requirements. (The troop’s Scoutmaster might want to do this on your behalf).• BSA STEM website: https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/


Documents

BSA HAD STEM Supernova Presentation 1 - bsawcc.org€¦ · BSA HAD STEM Supernova Presentation 20 • Take lots of breaks to do fun stuff. Fun stuff can be demonstrations, watch a