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What Are the STEM Nova Awards?

Scouting America developed the STEM Nova Awards program to excite and expand a sense of wonder in our Scouts. By working with an adult counselor or mentor, the various modules allow them to explore the basic principles of STEM and discover how fun and fascinating STEM can be. The Supernova awards are offered for those who enjoy a super challenge. Discover how the STEM Nova Awards program helps youth be “Prepared. For Life.”

The STEM Nova awards are program specific — different awards for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA and Venturing/Sea Scouts.  Each award aligns with one of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math.  Once a Scout earns the first individual Nova award, they receive the STEM Nova patch for that level (there are three similar patches — one for Cubs, one for Scouts BSA, and one for Venturing/Sea Scouts).  For each subsequent Nova award earned in each of the other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math areas, a “Pi device” (Pi shaped pin) is awarded to be added to the patch.  A Scout can earn as many Nova awards as they want, but they will receive up to three Pi devices (patch for the first S, T, E, or M, and a Pi device for each additional letter completed).

The Supernova awards go above and beyond for the specific level and are meant to be earned sequentially (think “Bronze” first, and then “Silver”, and then “Gold”).  Each of the awards requires a number of options that combine Merit Badges/Adventures, Nova Awards, and other STEM-based activities.  Medals are awarded for successful completion of the Supernova awards.

All Nova Awards must be earned with the help of a registered Nova Counselor.  All Supernova Awards must be earned with the help of a registered Supernova Mentor.   Nova and Supernova counselors can be found through Scoutbook.

Effective June 1, 2022, local councils are responsible for administering the STEM Nova awards program.  Councils are responsible for the approval of awards and ensuring recognition is available for their units.  Scouting America is no longer supporting the program, and as such, as of June 1, 2025, resources will no  longer be available from Scouting America, Counselors/Mentors will no longer be a registered position at the Scouting America level, and the awards will no longer be in Scoutbook/Scoutbook+.

CUB SCOUT

SCOUTS BSA

VENTURING / SEA SCOUTS

Award-Based vs. Activity-Based Implementation

Do your Scouts want to earn patches and pins, or do they just want to do fun activities? STEM can do both! Depending on the interest level of your Troop, Pack, Crew or Ship, you can include as much or as little as the Scouts want, at an age-appropriate level.  Interested adult leaders who are willing to do a little research can go a long way in mentoring youth as they develop their own program and activities.

Demonstration vs. Experiment

When conducting STEM-related activities, remember that the goal is to get the Scouts to explore, ask questions, and learn how to figure out answers on their own.

  • A demonstration involves showing something interesting and then explaining what happened. The outcome of a demonstration is known in advance.
  • An experiment happens when you repeat an activity multiple times, changing one parameter each time and measuring how that change affects the outcome. Each condition is usually repeated at least three times to average out random fluctuations. While the experimenter will have a hypothesis as to what will happen, there may be a completely new and unexpected result.

Adult Leadership

Nova counselors are the adults who work directly with the Scouts. Counselors do not need to be STEM experts or STEM professionals. Much more important is their ability to work with Scouts and to make the activities fun and challenging at an age-appropriate level. By reading and learning about a STEM topic, almost any adult Scouter can be a STEM counselor.  For more information on becoming a Nova Counselor or a Supernova Mentor, see the Leadership page.

Ready to Learn More and Get Started?

Any unit can work STEM into regular meetings, creating lasting memories and cool knowledge that can last the Scout through school and into a career.  Choose your level at the menu at the top to learn more about a specific program.  

FAQ

A: That is partially correct.  Scouting America, effective June 1, 2022, stopped supporting the program.  It is up to local councils to continue to maintain and support the STEM programs as desired.  Michigan Crossroads Council is dedicated to youth STEM education and has chosen to continue the program by providing resources and awards.  As the underlying programs change (Merit Badges and Cub Adventures), MCC will continue to update the STEM program requirements.

A: No.  The Nova Awards for Cub Scouts begins with the Wolf (Second Grade) year.

A: Yes, but we do encourage Scouts to consider earning new ones so they can explore new interests.

A: Yes. STEM Nova Awards are available in different focus areas. When a Scout earns a STEM Nova the first time, they are awarded the STEM Nova patch.  If they earn another STEM Nova, they are presented with a Pi device (pin) that is placed on the patch.

A: A Nova Awards counselor must be age 21 or older and be registered under the Nova Awards counselor position code 58. They must have current Youth Protection training. This is a non-unit position and requires no fee. Online training is now available at my.scouting.org or through your local council.

A: Yes.  A parent or guardian may counsel their own child for a Nova, if the parent or guardian is a currently registered Nova counselor. For Supernova awards the parent/guardian must be a council-approved and currently registered Supernova mentor.  They may only mentor their own Cub Scout if the mentoring is done simultaneously for a group of Cub Scouts that includes their own child.  Scouting America, Venturing, and Sea Scouts must work with a currently registered Supernova awards mentor other than their own parent/guardian.

A: Yes. The adult must be currently registered as a Supernova awards mentor or Nova awards counselor with their local council.  All youth protection protocols must be followed at all times.

A: Yes.  A live demonstration is part of the Explain Demonstrate Guide and Enable (EDGE) principle of learning used in Scouting.

A: Contact your local council for a list of mentors or have a leader search in Scoutbook.  A Supernova Awards mentor must be: age 21 or older, a subject matter expert in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) field, and registered under the Supernova Awards mentor position code 52. This is a no-fee position that requires current Youth Protection Training.  Applicants complete a Supernova mentor application along with a Scouting America Adult Application to the local council for approval.

A: Yes, you are required to be registered in this position and you will be dual-registered.

A: For STEM Nova awards, record it using Scoutbook, for Supernova awards complete the Supernova Award Application and submit to your local council for approval.

A:  For Cub Scouts, Yes.  For Scouting America, Venturing, and Sea Scouts, No. Supernova awards are meant to be earned individually, under the direct supervision of a Council-approved Supernova mentor. In Cub Scouts, groups may work together but each Cub Scout must individually and personally complete each requirement. Supernova awards at Scouting America, Venturing, and Sea Scout levels are intended to be completed individually (no group or classroom-style instruction). All work for the Albert Einstein Supernova Award must be done on an individual basis, by the Scout and under the direct supervision of their Council-approved mentor.

A: Contact the MCC STEM Coordinator or your STEM Nova counselor or Supernova mentor.