STEM – Nova – Supernova – Grand Canyon Council

Important Update - STEM Nova Award Program Ending November 18, 2022 Earlier this year, national BSA discontinued its support for the STEM Nova Awards program and stopped supplying patches and other recognition items. As a result, Grand Canyon Council will no longer be administering these awards. If you are currently working on a STEM Nova Award and would still like to receive your recognition items, please contact gcc.program@scouting.org by November 18, 2022, so that we can do our best to source them for you. GCC will not be able to provide any awards we were not notified about prior to November 18 and asks that Scouts do not begin any requirements after that date. If your unit has a Scout who has started the requirements for a STEM Nova Award, but will not finish by November 18, you should still request the recognition items on their behalf by that date in anticipation of their completion. Any recipients of these awards will still be able to view their advancement in Scoutbook.

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

The STEM Vision

Grand Canyon Council recognizes that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) touches just about every aspect of our daily life and seeks to provide avenues where our youth and adults can explore and expand their knowledge to become better leaders for tomorrow.

The NOVA and SUPERNOVA Awards program incorporates age appropriate learning for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Venturing/Sea Scouts that includes inspiring activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The goal of the requirements and activities for these awards is to stimulate interest in STEM-related fields, and show 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 our Scouts.

The Main STEM Website can be found at: https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/

The Nova Awards

There are four Nova award categories in each program; Cub Scouts, Webelos, Scouts BSA, and Venturers /Sea Scouts with a number of different themed awards available in each category. Each category covers one component of STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics.

Requirements for each Nova Award can be found online at https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/awards

For their first Nova award, Scouts earn the distinctive Nova award patch. After that, a Scout earning additional Nova awards will be recognized with a separate pi (π) pin-on device that attaches to the patch.

Nova Awards are tracked and approved using the “Grand Canyon Council STEM NOVA Award Application” Card. Leaders and Nova Counselors may download the forms below.

Nova Award Application (instructions)

STEM Committee Chair
Grand Canyon Council
rmgchallenge@earthlink.net
928-310-1041

District STEM Chairs

Central District

Sandra Haislet

shaislet@yahoo.com

Gila River District

Alana LaBelle

scout.me.in.71@gmail.com

Lost Dutchman District

Keith Bedwell

kabedwell@protonmail.com

Pinnacle Peak District

Cory Newkirk

tx18366@gmail.com

Ponderosa District

Rich Gomez

rmgchallenge@earthlink.net

Sonoran Sunrise District

Karen Meury

kjmeury@earthlink.net

Nova Award Showcase: Fearful Symmetry (Cub Scouts)

This module is designed to help Cub Scouts explore how symmetry affects their life each day. Wolves, Bears, and Webelos are eligible to earn this award.

The Supernova Awards

The Supernova Awards recognize superior achievement in the STEM Fields and push the scouts to soar above the basics. Leaders should view these awards as true honors for any scout to attain.

There are two Awards for Cub Scouts (1 for Wolf and Bear ages and 1 for WEBELOS), two for Scouts BSA (Bronze and Silver – to be completed in order), and three awards for Venturing and Sea Scouting programs (Bronze, Silver and Gold). Please refer to the Supernova Links which can be found on each program’s Awards Requirements page in the BSA STEM Website.

The Supernova Awards are tracked and approved using the “Supernova Award Application” . Supernova Counselors may download the form here.

NOTE: The Supernova awards require consultation with and Approval from a COUNCIL APPROVED SUPERNOVA MENTOR, and parents may not mentor their own child unless that child is with a group pursuing the same award.”

Other STEM Related Organization Resources

There are all sorts of STEM related websites and organizations that offer great programming and knowledge bases. Please explore and have fun with your scouts in discovering STEM!

FIRST Robotics Websites

Main Site: http://www.firstinspires.org/
Arizona FIRST Lego League: http://outreach.engineering.asu.edu/azfll/
Arizona FIRST Tech Challenge: http://www.azftc.org/

Miscellaneous Websites

STEM Related Events or Special Interest Opportunities

Events and STEM Activities:

AZSCITECH Events: Visit https://scitechinstitute.org/events/
iFLY Indoor Skydiving Programs: https://www.iflyworld.com/programs/stem-field-trips/
9205 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ
Flagstaff Festival of Science: Visit http://www.scifest.org/

Volunteer (SERVICE) Opportunities:

POC for specifics: Rich Gomez – rmgchallenge@earthlink.net
Visit Arizona Specific FIRST Websites above to find out more

Nova Counselor / Supernova Mentor

With the introduction of the new Nova and Supernova awards comes a fresh opportunity for volunteer positions. All Counselors or Mentors must be adult age 21 or older. This position is a non-unit position and no fee is required.

Nova Counselor (Code 58) are approved by Council following submission of BSA Application

Supernova Mentor (Code 52) is a subject matter expert position in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields and applicants must be registered under the Supernova Mentor position code 52. In addition to the BSA Adult Registration form, mentors must complete the Supernova Awards Mentor Information application.

All Nova counselors and Supernova mentors must have current Youth Protection.