Two Petaluma Cub Scouts earn Supernova STEM awards.

Petaluma Cub Scout Eion Kelly and Webelos Scout Michael Carter, both of Pack 3, have earned Scouting’s highest STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) award, the Supernova.  Michael is the first scout in the Redwood Empire Council to earn the Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova award while Eion is the first scout in the Miwok district to earn the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova. 

The goal of the BSA NOVA Awards program is to integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning with fun and interactive activates.   The hope is that earning NOVA awards will stimulate interest in STEM-related fields and show scouts how STEM concepts apply to everyday living and the world around them. 

Both Eion and Michael earned a number of NOVA awards previously that helped prepare them for attempting to earn the Supernova award.  To earn the Supernova awards, both scouts had to meet with a supernova mentor, an approved adult leader with a STEM related education or skillset, and engage in a number of different activities and projects. They also were required to earn specific rank elective badges, learn facts about specific scientists, technology innovators, engineers, or mathematicians, and understand and incorporate using scientific method within their projects. 

Details of the NOVA and Supernova awards and program for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venture can be found at http://www.scouting.org/stem/Awards/AboutNova.aspx  A copy of the Nova guidebooks for each level of scouting can be purchased at the Santa Rosa scout store.