STEM Nova Awards

What Are the Nova Awards? NOVA-clipart

The Boy Scouts of America developed the 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.

Two Types of Awards

  • Nova Awards
    • The Nova awards allow Scouts to discover some of the basic principles of STEM. Scouts may complete any Nova award with a parent or unit leader’s guidance (even if they have little or no background in STEM) as long as the adult is registered as a Nova counselor.
      • Once a youth has fulfilled the requirements for the Nova Award the award information is logged into Internet Advancement or Scoutbook.
      • You will then need to print out an advancement report to take with you to the Scout Shop to receive you recognition.
        • When a Scout completes their first Nova award they should be presented the Nova Emblem for their program level. For each Nova award earned after the first they should be presented a Pi pin to wear on their emblem.
      • Nova Award Patches and Pins can be purchased at the below sites.
  • Supernova Awards
    • The Supernova awards are offered to those who enjoy a super challenge and have a greater interest in the STEM fields.
      • Once a Scout has completed the requirements for a Supernova award they will need to obtain all required signatures on the Supernova Award Application.
      • Supernova Award applications must be turned in to the council service centers.
      • Once submitted to the council service centers these applications will then be turned over to the Council Supernova Coordinator who will review these applications and accompanying documentation. Expect at least 45 days prior for Cub Scouts or 60 days prior for Scouts, BSA, and Venturers for the Council Supernova Coordinator to review all of the materials for the Supernova Awards.
      • When submitting the application to the Council Advancement Committee a copy of an advancement report from Internet Advancement 2.0/ Scoutbook along with additional documentation.
        • Types of additional documentation include:
          • Binders/folders with papers showing the work for the requirements such as the people they researched and what they found, pictures of experiments and science fair projects, project and experimental data, interview notes with teachers, etc.
          • Workbooks that show the work that the Scout has achieved in completing the necessary requirements for the award. Requirements for each award can be found at this link.
      • After the applications have been approved by the Council Supernova Coordinator they will be reviewed by the scout Executive for approval.
      • Once all applications are approved, the Unit is informed. The unit can then purchase the Supernova award medals by going to this link.
      • Certificates will be provided by the council for the youth.

How to Become a Nova Awards Counselor or Supernova Awards Mentor

  • Nova Counselor- To register as a Nova counselor please submit:
    • A complete BSA Adult Application
    • Copy of Youth Protection Training, if not currently registered with the council.
    • Copies of PA State Clearances, if not currently registered with the council.
  • Supernova Mentor-A Supernova Awards mentor must be age 21 or older, be a subject matter expert in a STEM (science, technology, engineering,or mathematics) field, and be registered under the Supernova Awards mentor position code 52.
  • A Supernova mentor they must complete:
    • A BSA Adult application
    • the SuperNova mentor application
    • Copy of Youth Protection Training, if not currently registered with the council.
    • Copies of PA State Clearances, if not currently registered with the council.

Steps to complete for renewal:

  1. If you are planning on continuing as a Nova counselor or Supernova Mentor, then keep an eye out for an email around December asking you if you would like to continue as a merit badge counselor.
  2. Complete the information that is requested from the email and continue conducting your duties as either a Nova Counselor or Supernova Mentor.

For more information about STEM and the Nova Awards program, visit www.scouting.org/stem. Discover how the Nova Awards program helps youth be “Prepared. For Life.”