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The STEM / Nova Program and Grand Canyon Council

The STEM / Nova Program and Grand Canyon Council. Agenda. Some briefing content were borrowed from materials used at Philmont Training Center by STEM committee members and training participants. STEM – What and Why? Review of Nova / Supernova Program

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The STEM / Nova Program and Grand Canyon Council

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  1. The STEM / Nova Program andGrand Canyon Council

  2. Agenda Some briefing content were borrowed from materials used at Philmont Training Center by STEM committee members and training participants STEM – What and Why? Review of Nova / Supernova Program Ideas for Implementation in Grand Canyon Council

  3. STEM in Scouting – so far • Scouting has always included Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) topics • But the content is often hidden in other activities • Scouting focuses on outdoor program • Not Every Youth Wants to Be Dan Beard or Daniel Boone. Some Want to Be Neil Armstrong, Bill Gates, or Albert Einstein.

  4. WHAT is STEM? The acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This approach to education is designed to revolutionize the teaching of subject areas such as mathematics and science by incorporating technology and engineering into regular curriculum by creating a “meta-discipline.” The intent is to Highlight STEM content in our existing Scouting Program.

  5. Why STEM? • Our country is falling behind in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) • In 2009, just 34 percent of U.S. 8th graders were rated proficient or higher in a national math assessment. • In an international exam given, U.S. high school students ranked 21st out of 30 industrialized nations in science and 25th in math. • Only 43 percent of U.S. high school graduates in 2010 were ready for college work in math and 29 percent were ready in science. • China graduates more engineers per year than the U.S. graduates in all fields.

  6. Why STEM? • STEM is the future. • STEM education is an economic imperative. • Experts say that technological innovation accounted for almost half of U.S. economic growth over the past 50 years, and almost all of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in the next decade will require at least some background in STEM.  • STEM literacy has a profound and growing impact on our day-to-day lives. • The National Science Foundation “estimates that 80% of the jobs created in the next decade will require some form of math and science skills.”

  7. The BSA Response • The BSA has partnered with ExxonMobil to increase STEM awareness in youth and offer them the opportunities to “Be Prepared for Life” • BSA created the Nova and Supernova Awards Programs • Youth Program, Adult Roles, Leader Support, and Awards programs defined • Field tested, refined, and improved in two trials • Development of manuals • National Roll-Out in mid-July 2012

  8. Nova and Supernova Programs • Nova Program • Based on accomplishment within the unit of existing program activities (belt loops, merit badges, venturing activity areas) • Extends and enhances existing program activities • Registered adult counselors familiar with STEM topics guide explorations and provide advancement quality control • Supernova Program • Significant accomplishment extending program activities • Learn some fundamentals of the topic areas • Original STEM investigations and projects • Registered adult Supernova Mentors who are accomplished STEM practitioners guide explorations and provide advancement quality control

  9. Counselors vs Mentors In the Nova and Supernova awards, there are references to counselors and mentors. We use the word “counselor” for the adult working with the Nova award candidates. Parents and unit leaders may serve as Nova counselors even if they have little or no background in STEM.

  10. Counselors vs Mentors A “mentor,” on the other hand, is ideally someone who has successfully negotiated a STEM career path or has other subject matter expertise (such as hobbies or other special training) and is willing to share accumulated wisdom and experience. Equally important is willingness to work with Scout age youth and experience doing so.

  11. Becoming a Supernova Award Mentor Registering as a Supernova Award Mentor: Supernova Award Mentors MUST register as adult Scouters and be approved by the council advancement committee. You must use the BSA Adult Registration form #524-501, to register as a position code 52 Supernova Mentor even if you are currently registered in another volunteer leadership position . Completion of BSA Youth Protection Training is required for all registered adult volunteers.

  12. Becoming a Supernova Award Mentor Applying to Become a Supernova Award Mentor: Prospective mentors MUST complete the Grand Canyon Council Supernova Award Mentor Application form. Please list the specific Supernova Award you are qualified to mentor on the application. You may wish to associate yourself only with a particular unit, but we hope that you will be willing to work on one or more of the awards, in small groups, with any boy from any unit within your district or area. You may mentor your own son ONLY as part of a group of Scouts working on the same Supernova Award. Unit leaders may only act as mentors if they are mentoring more than one Scout.

  13. Becoming a Supernova Award Mentor Please send or take the completed BSA Adult Registration form, the completed Supernova Mentor Application, along with any documentation of your background in STEM and in working with youth, and a copy of your current Youth Protection card to the Grand Canyon Council Service Center for processing.

  14. The Nova Program - Activities

  15. Nova Program Activities - Example • Must be a Wolf or Bear • Watch TV or read about science, collect questions and ideas, discuss with counselor • Complete ONE belt loop: Astronomy, Collecting, Geography, Geology, Map and Compass, Mathematics, Nutrition, Pet Care, Photography, Science, Weather, Wildlife Conservation • Act like a scientist. Pick a question to study. Investigate answers. Discuss with counselor. • Visit a place where science is being done or used. Talk to someone about use of science. Discuss with counselor. • Cub Scout Nova Activity: Science Everywhere • Requirements summarized:

  16. Nova Activity Awards First Award – get Nova patch Next Awards – get Nova pins for patch (up to 3)

  17. Supernova Program Activities - Example • Must be First Class or higher. • Earn at least three Nova awards for Boy Scouts. • Earn Scholarship MB and four MBs from approved list. • Complete two Supernova activity topics. Each topic includes research, preparation, set up, coordination, organization, analysis, reflection, reporting. • Participate in a science fair or math competition. • Shadow a science professional • Present Nova program to Cub den or other youth group • Review scientific method and use it to examine a selected topic • Boy Scout Supernova Activity: Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award • Requirements summarized:

  18. Supernova Awards Cub Scouts Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Wolf / Bear (bronze medal) Dr. Charles H. Townes Webelos (bronze medal) Boy Scouts Dr. Bernard Harris (bronze medal) Thomas Alva Edison (silver medal) Dr. Sally Ride (bronze medal) Wright Brothers (silver medal) Venturing Dr. Albert Einstein Venturer (gold medal)

  19. Integration with Traditional Program - Example Merit badge from selection list Boy Scouts Dr. Bernard Harris (bronze medal) Thomas Alva Edison (silver medal) Dr. Albert Einstein Venturer (gold medal)

  20. Implementation Plan in GCC • Organize STEM Committee within the Grand Canyon Council Advancement Committee • Promote the Nova/Supernova Program • Round Table Presentations • University of Scouting • Program samples at Camporees, Day Camps, Cub Haunted? • Develop Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors • Identify Resources and Candidates • Recruitment • Training • University of Scouting, by STEM Committee, On-line?, PTC? • Resource List (like MB counselor list?)

  21. Organization in GCC • Staff Advisor • STEM Committee Chair (under Council Advancement Committee Chair) • District representatives • Program Integration • Promotions at Round Tables, University of Scouting, etc. • Incorporate program in camps, camporees, merit badge universities, etc. • Staffing • Counselor/Mentor Identification and Recruitment • Corporate, education, government organizations • Additions to STEM Committee as required • Training • Unit Leaders and Program Users • Counselors and Mentors • Commissioners and District/Council • Resources • Grants to fund staff and program projects

  22. Organization Resources Sharing STEM Committee and “STEM and Scouting” PTC Student Group are developing and sharing resources to support implementation of the STEM programs.

  23. What’s Next? • Homework – Develop training package for UoS, RT, and Districts – Respond to Stem/Nova Communications – Sign 150 Stem/Nova Mentors by Dec. 31, 2014

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