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Notes for Instructors

• Goal of this Training Module– Briefly introduce the Nova and Supernova Programs– Describe the roles of Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors– Demonstrate the activities of a Counselor in supporting Nova activities

• Notes– This training module should take between 40 and 60 minutes to allow being presented at

Scouting training events (Mentor training events, IOLS, Wood Badges, University of Scouting, Round Tables, etc.) and at non-scouting training events (professional society meetings, faculty meetings, chamber of commerce meetings, etc.)

– Be prepared by having at least one of the Nova Award Guidebooks, a Nova Patch, and any program materials required

– Ensure that at least one of the activity examples are done by the group.• First, let all trainees be Nova participants, and you model the Mentor• Reflect on what the Mentor did to support the activity, write notes• Then let one or more of the trainees act as Mentor

– Sell the Sizzle – we are supporting STEM learning for strengthening youth for tomorrow– Close the Deal – Request their help and get a commitment

DON’T SHOW THIS SLIDE TO THE AUDIENCE

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Nova Counselor &Supernova Mentor Training

Dr. Richard J. StoneGAC Nova CommitteeMonth XX, 2012

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Agenda

• The STEM Problem• What is the Nova & Supernova Program?• What is a Counselor & Mentor?• Qualifications and Requirements• Example Counselor Activity

The STEM Problem

• Our country is falling behind in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).• 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.

• 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.”

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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

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Nova and Supernova Programs

• Nova Program– Based on accomplishment of existing program activities (belt

loops, merit badges, venturing activity areas)– Extends and enhances existing program activities– 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– Do Original STEM investigations and projects– Adult mentors who are accomplished STEM practitioners guide

explorations and provide advancement quality control

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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.

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The Nova / Supernova Programs will highlight STEM content in existing

program and add new activities and awards.

Nova Program Activities

Cub Scouts Boy Scouts Venturing Exploring

Science Everywhere Shoot! Launch! TBD

Tech Talk Start Your Engines! Power Up TBD

Swing! Whoosh! Hang On! TBD

1-2-3 Go! Designed to Crunch Numbers Don’t Lie TBDMore in development More in development More in development TBD

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Nova / Supernova Awards

Nova Awards Supernova Awards

Bronze, silver, and gold versions

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What is a Counselor and Mentor?

• Nova Counselors– Are adults with knowledge and experience in STEM topics

• Need not be professionals or experts• Willing to research and study to be ready to guide participants

– Guide youth participants in research and experiences– Maintain quality and safety in Program

• Supernova Mentors– Are adults with expertise in STEM topics

• Are professional-level engineers, scientists, educators, etc. who use STEM skills often

– Guide youth participants in significant accomplishments in STEM topics

– Maintain quality and safety in Program

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Who Can Be a Nova Counselor?

• Have you ever played baseball, golf, football, bowling, archery, etc.?– You understand motion of objects

• Have you ever cooked, built things, worked in the garden, ran a race, did construction, etc.?

– You know how to measure things and make calculations

• Have you ever gone fishing, dug a hole, rode a bike, hit a baseball, fixed a car or bike, etc.?

– You understand simple machines

• Have you ever walked, drove a car, sailed a boat, or enjoyed AC?– You understand energy production and use

• Have you ever read a book or researched on the internet?– You understand how to prepare to help the participants

Anyone who understands the material and can guide learning can be a Nova

Counselor

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Who Can Be a Supernova Mentor?

• Must be accomplished and knowledgeable in STEM– Engineers, Scientists, Accountants, Software Engineers,

Educators, HAM Radio experts, Contracts Experts, Meteorologists, Doctors,

• Must be able to guide youth participants to significant accomplishments in STEM topics– Provide guidance and experiences, but not overt teaching– Support explorations of STEM ideas and projects in depth– May take many months to accomplish Supernova activities

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Requirements

Nova Counselors Supernova Mentors

Registered with BSA Registered with BSA

Youth Protection Trained Youth Protection Trained

Nova Counselor/Mentor Trained Nova Counselor/Mentor Trained

Able to guide participant activities over many weeks

Able to guide participant activities over many months

NOT the parent or Unit Leader of your participant

NOT the parent or Unit Leader of your participant

Knowledgeable in STEM topics Expert in STEM topics and guiding studentsApproved by the Council Nova Committee

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What’s In It for Me?

• Nova Counselors– Adult BSA Volunteers may earn the Nova service pin– Adult BSA Volunteers may earn the Nova square knot

• Will accomplish training, performance, and tenure

• Supernova Mentors– Annual “Thank You” letter indicating your service to youth

• Inputs into your annual appraisal

– Plaque (after N years of service)• Showing your customers of your service

• And – Helping Youth and America Have a Better Tomorrow

Nova Program Activities - Example

• Cub Scout Nova Activity: Science Everywhere– Requirements summarized:

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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.

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Experience a Nova Activity

• Cub Scout Nova Activity – “1-2-3 Go!”– Design a secret code or cipher– Write a message in your code or cipher– Share your code or cipher with your counselor

Do one of the following

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Experience a Nova Activity

• Boy Scout Nova Activity – “Shoot!”– Design and build a catapult that will launch a marshmallow a

distance of 4 feet. Discuss your design, data, and experiments, both failures and successes, with your counselor. Then do the following:

– Keep track of your experimental data for every attempt. Include the angle of launch and the distance projected.

– Make sure you apply the same force each time, perhaps by using a weight to launch the marshmallow.

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Experience a Nova Activity

• Boy Scout Nova Activity – “Shoot!”– Find and use a projectile simulation applet on the internet

• http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/projectile.htm

– Design and complete a hands-on experiment to demonstrate projectile motion.

• Keep a record of the angle, time, and distance• Graph the results of your experiment

– Discuss with your counselor:• What a projectile is• What projectile motion is• The factors affecting the path of a projectile• The difference between forward velocity and acceleration due to

gravity

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Counselor’s Roll in Nova Activities

• Help participant develop questions and interests• Help participant research ideas and answers• Guide participant in project setup and execution

– Safety and resource management– Data collection and analysis– Reporting results and extracting meaning of results

• Stimulate discussion of activity project and extract the more general meaning of the conclusions

• Encourage completion of activities– Compliance with requirements, no more and no less– Ensure consistency across all participants over time

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Will You Be a Counselor or Mentor?

• The Youth of Today and the America of Tomorrow need your support

• What’s Next– You have now passed the Counselor/Mentor Training– Get Registered with BSA– Take Youth Protection training on-line

• URL: http://myscouting.scouting.org

– Get on the GAC Counselor/Mentor List– Start sharing your STEM expertise

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Points of Contact

Position Name Email Phone

Staff Advisor

GAC STEM Committee Chair

Richard Stone drstone@mac.com 256 325 1268

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