STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are considered by many to be the foundation of an advanced society.  In many forums - including political, governmental, and academic - the strength of the STEM workforce is viewed as an indicator of a nation's ability to sustain itself.

To engage our youth members in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the Boy Scouts of America has created new program initiatives that emphasizes STEM in the context of the current advancement programs.

The BSA's STEM initiative gives Scouts an opportunity to explore relevant skills and experiences and to be recognized for their achievements. The aim is to expose youth to new opportunities and help them develop the STEM skills critical for the competitive world marketplace. 

Congratulations to the Bear Den from Pack 241 in Dallas, PA, who have earned the first NOVA Awards in the NEPA Council! They successfully completed and were awarded their Science Everywhere NOVA Badge at their Pack Meeting on April 28.

Pictured are:

Front Row (l to r): R. Obuhosky, E.  Scott, J. Herceg, B. Newman, C. Kovaly, C. Weaver, I. McCue, J, Kapral.

Back Row: Mark Diefenderfer, (Two Mountains District STEM Chairman), Elaine Herceg (Bear Den Leader & STEM Counselor), Jerry Ephault (NEPA Council STEM Chairman) 

To stimulate interest in STEM, the BSA has instituted a series of new awards entitled Nova and Supernova.

The NOVA  Award program consists of individual activity elements in various STEM topics structured for Cub Scouts,  Boy Scouts, & Venturers.   These topics, or four NOVA awards for each program level, are designed to encourage participation and to increase interest in STEM by making it relevant and fun.  The NOVA award will be a distinctive pocket patch with a separate pin on device awarded for each individual topic completed by the youth.

The SUPERNOVA Award program is similar to the BSA Hornaday Award Program.  The basic requirements include earning certain Academic Pins for Cub Scouts, Activity Badges for Webelos and Merit Badges for Boy Scouts, plus complete additional, more rigorous STEM related requirements.  The Venturing requirements are based on more independent achievement and teaching activities.  SUPERNOVA is designed to encourage and recognize more in-depth achievement in STEM.  The SUPERNOVA awards are medals on neck ribbons.

A Counselor is required to help a Scout complete the requirements for a Nova award.  Any registerd Scouter who has completed Youth Protection Training can be a counselor for the NOVA awards with unit approval - there is no paperwork for this process. 

A Mentor is required for the Supernova award (on all program levels), Mentors must be registered Scouters who have completed Youth Protection Training and must be approved by the STEM/Nova Committee.  A special Supernova Mentor application form is available for this process. Completed applications should be turned into the Scout Service Center for processing.  

Mentors should be experienced in a STEM related field (i.e., Scientists, Engineer, Technologists, Science Teachers, Math Teachers, etc.).   Only if a Mentor is willing to work with two or more Scouts on the SUPERNOVA at the same time will the exception of a parent with a STEM background be allowed.  Scouters with a STEM background may work with Scouts in their unit and encouraged as well to work outside of their own unit.