12500 North IH 35, Austin, TX 78753, US

(512) 617-8651

(512) 617-8651

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  • More
    • Home
    • Nova and supernova
      • NOVA awards
      • Supernova awards
      • become a NOVA Counselor
      • become a Supernova Mentor
    • Events
      • STEMboree
      • STEM Adventure Weekend
      • Cub Outdoor Activity Wknd
      • InnovationDesignChallenge
      • STEM Adventure Day
      • ifly Classes
      • Hour of Code
      • Online Resources
    • Committee
    • Resources
      • Contact
      • Resources for Units
      • Engagement
      • Partners in STEM
  • Home
  • Nova and supernova
    • NOVA awards
    • Supernova awards
    • become a NOVA Counselor
    • become a Supernova Mentor
  • Events
    • STEMboree
    • STEM Adventure Weekend
    • Cub Outdoor Activity Wknd
    • InnovationDesignChallenge
    • STEM Adventure Day
    • ifly Classes
    • Hour of Code
    • Online Resources
  • Committee
  • Resources
    • Contact
    • Resources for Units
    • Engagement
    • Partners in STEM

STEM NOVA - STEM in Scouting

STEM NOVA - STEM in Scouting STEM NOVA - STEM in Scouting STEM NOVA - STEM in Scouting

Capitol Area Council, BSA

Capitol Area Council, BSA Capitol Area Council, BSA

supernova

The Supernova Award

How Scouts Earn Supernova

How Scouts Earn Supernova

The BSA STEM in Scouting awards program began in 2012 with two different award levels:  NOVA and  SUPERNOVA.


For scouts seeking a greater STEM challenge, there are seven SUPERNOVA awards  available to earn at the various program levels.   


  • Cub Scout Wolf and Bear (1) - Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Award


  • Cub Scout Webelos and Arrow of Light (1) - Dr. Charles H. Townes Award


  • Scouts BSA (2) - Dr. Bernard Harris & Thomas Edison Awards


  • Venturing/Sea Scouting (3) - Dr. Sally Ride, Wright Brothers, and Dr. Albert Einstein Awards


Award Requirements at scouting.org

How Scouts Earn Supernova

How Scouts Earn Supernova

How Scouts Earn Supernova

START

  • Choose a Supernova Mentor.  Youth may ONLY be coached by a council-approved Supernova Mentor.
  • Your parents are not allowed to mentor you except at the Cub level when no other mentor is available and when working on the award in a small group setting.
  • Meet with your mentor following YPT guidelines to plan your own personal work on the award. This is an individual award that recognizes individual effort to completion.


TIME

  • Cubs may be able to complete the award in several months to a year.
  • Scouts must be First Class and often take a couple years or more to complete requirements. 
  • Venturers and Sea Scouts have a more rigorous set of requirements which may take several years to complete.
  • There is no time limit other than youth eligibility for that level of BSA program.


FINISH

  • Your supernova mentor submits a complete application which is reviewed at the Council level.
  • Per the official BSA form, your application must include "copies of all my reports and other appropriate documentation for consideration".
  • After approval by council, your supernova medal is ordered while supplies last. When it arrives it may be purchased at the Scout Shop.

dr. Alvarez and dr. townes
Dr. harris and edison
dr. sally ride, wright brothers, dr. einstein

About THE AWARDS

Supernova Awards are rare!

Since 2012 the Capitol Area Council has awarded about a hundred Cub Supernova Awards (Alvarez and Townes) and only a handful of Scout (Harris) Supernova Awards. For perspective, about 400-500 scouts in council earn Eagle each year.

Medals are heavy!

The medallions come from BSA National, are real metal, and are worn around the neck. Contact the Council STEM Nova Committee to have a committee member present these to youth at your unit/district event. 

Bars and Certificates available

The Scout Shop has a certificate that you may customize for each scout, suitable for framing. They also sell small bar pins that are worn on the uniform for earning bronze, silver, or gold level.

CHANGES TO THE COUNCIL SUPERNOVA APPLICATION PROCESS

Due to the high volume and disparate mechanisms of Supernova applications that we are receiving, the STEM Nova committee has approved several changes to how we receive and review  applications.


1) MONTHLY REVIEWS - Starting January 2020, all Supernova applications will be reviewed only at the monthly STEM Nova committee meeting (not in June or July).  


2) ALL-IN-ONE PDF or hard copy - All applications are to be submitted as a single PDF document (preferred) or as a hard copy of all documentation (no original work; copied all on standard letter-sized paper). To aid the process, we have created guides (download links below) for submitting the Cub Scout award applications, to ensure that each application contains all  necessary supporting documentation. 


Deliver all applications to Jessica Snider at Jessica.Snider@scouting.org or to CAC BSA, 12500 North IH35, Austin, TX 78753, Attention: Jessica Snider.

Supernova application guides

Luis Alvarez Supernova Guide - English (pdf)

Download

Luis Alvarez Supernova Guide - Spanish (pdf)

Download

Charles Townes Supernova Guide - English (pdf)

Download

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Committee meeting and application review dates

The Committee typically meets once a month to discuss applications. Applications are due a minimum of one week beforehand to allow time for the review process. Please make sure your applications are submitted in full and in the correct format.

OFFICIAL BSA SUPERNOVA APPLICATION FORM

Supernova Award Application

SUPERNOVA CHECK SHEETS

One-page summary of each Supernova award for scouts and mentors to track progress. Developed by the CAC volunteer STEM Committee. 

This is not an official BSA document and not suitable for the official  application. 

Supernova check sheet - Cub Scouts Dr. Luis Walter Alvarez (pdf)Download
Supernova check sheet - Cub Scouts Dr. Charles H. Townes (pdf)Download
Supernova check sheet - Scouts BSA Dr. Bernard Harris (pdf)Download
Supernova check sheet - Scouts BSA Thomas Alva Edison (pdf)Download

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