STEM Awards

Approval Process for

STEM Achievements

All requirements for the Nova and Supernova awards should be completed as described in the Nova Guidebooks.  Members must meet current advancement requirements as written—no more and no less—and they are to do exactly what is stated. If it says, “Show or demonstrate,” that is what they must do; just “telling” isn’t enough. The same holds for words and phrases such as “make,” “list,” “in the field,” “collect,” “identify,” and “label.”

For questions or clarification, please contact the New Horizons STEM Coordinator (Alan Ritter, jar@mtritter.org), New Horizons  Advancement Chair (Sophie Craft, sophiec@hotmail.com)or the GSLAC STEM Committee for guidance and clarification.

 Nova Awards

Must be approved by a counselor who is a registered BSA adult leader (Current youth protection training is required, Nova training is recommended).

They should be reported on a standard Advancement report (form 34403), turned in to Scout Shop in order to purchase Nova patch (first Nova earned) and/or pi pins (2^nd and all subsequent Novas earned).  The report form must indicate which Nova was earned by which scout.

This PDF card will help organize and track what NOVA awards your scouts are working on: NOVA CARD

 Supernova Awards

Require submission of official 1)_application form and 2) copy of completed work.  The Supernova application can be found at  http://www.scouting.org/filestore/STEM/pdf/SupernovaApplication.pdf).

 Approvals Required for Dr. Louis Alvarez (Wolf/Bear), Dr. Charles H. Townes (Webelos) Supernovas

• Unit Leader (CC or Cubmaster, not mentor)
• Supernova Mentor (council approved, current Nova training and youth protection training required). A parent may mentor their own child only as one of a group of scouts working on the same award.  Please note names of other scouts when submitting application
• District STEM or Advancement Chair (includes review of work completed)
• Scout Executive – Council Office (Not Scout Shop) may stamp
• Application and Advancement Report (form 34403) submitted to Scout Shop to purchase award

Approvals for Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Bronze Award and

Thomas Edison Supernova Silver Award (Boy Scouts) and Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Bronze Award and Wright Brothers Supernova Silver Award (Venturing)

• Unit Leader (CC, Scoutmaster or Crew Advisor, not mentor)
• Supernova Mentor (council approved, current Nova training and youth protection training required). A parent may mentor their own child only as one of a group of scouts working on the same award.  Please note names of other scouts when submitting application.
• District STEM or Advancement Chair (after review of completed work by at least three current Supernova Mentors)
• Scout Executive – Council Office (Not Scout Shop) may stamp
• Application and Advancement Report (form 34403) submitted to Scout Shop to purchase award

Approvals Required for Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Gold Award (Venturing)

• Unit Leader (CC, Scoutmaster or Crew Advisor, not mentor)
• Supernova Mentor – (council approved, current Nova training and youth protection training required). May not be parent under any circumstances.
• District STEM or Advancement Chair
  • Requires candidate to present both oral and written reports on their original research to the local Council STEM committee of at least three current Supernova Mentors
• Scout Executive – Stamp not allowed, SE must sign personally
• Packet sent to national STEM Committee for review and final approval.
  • Application with all signatures
  • Copy of written report on original research
  • Proposed Nova
  • Reports on Supernova activities, if possible
• After national approval, award may be purchased from the national BSA STEM Office, the Scout Shops do not carry these.