About the STEM Nova Awards Program

The Boy Scouts of America's STEM Nova Awards program incorporates learning with cool activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts. The hope is that the requirements and activities for earning these awards stimulates interest in STEM related fields and shows how science, technology, engineering and mathematics apply to everyday living and the world around them. Counselors and mentors help bring this engaging, contemporary, and fun program to life for youth members.

The STEM Nova Awards

There are STEMNova awards for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts. Each award covers one component of STEM - science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

  • Cub Scout STEM Nova awards: Science Everywhere, Down and Dirty, Nova Wild, Out of this World, Uncovering the Past, Tech Talk, Cub Scouts can Code, Swing!, Up and Away, 1-2-3 Go!, Fearful Symmmetry
  • Scouts BSA STEM Nova awards: Shoot!, Let It Grow!, Splash!, Mendel's Minions, Start Your Engines, Hellow World, Whoosh!, Up and Away, Next Big Thing, Designed to Crunch
  • Venturer & Sea Scout STEM Nova awards: Launch!, Wade!, What a Life, Power Up, Execute, Something from Nothing, Hang On!, Up and Away, Numbers Don't Lie

For their first STEM Nova award, Scouts earn the distinctive Nova award patch. After that, a Scout can earn three more STEM Nova awards, each one recognized with a separate pi (Π) pin-on device that attaches to the patch. The patch and the three devices represent each of the four STEM topics-science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The Supernova Awards

The Supernova awards have more rigorous requirements than the STEM Nova awards. The requirements and activities were designed to motivate youth and recognize more in-depth, advanced achievement in STEM related activities.

For Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts: Dr. Louis Alvarez Supernova Award
For Webelos Scouts: Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award
For Scouts BSA: Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Bronze Award
Thomas Edison Supernova Silver Award
Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Gold Award
For Venturers & Sea Scouts: Dr. Sally Ride Supernova Bronze Award
Wright Brothers Supernova Silver Award
Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Gold Award

Supernova Award Path Diagram

For earning the Supernova award, Scouts receive a medal and certificate.

All requirements may be found in the STEM Nova awards guidebooks, available through local Scout shops - one for Cub Scouts, one for Scouts BSA, and one for Venturers & Sea Scouts. The requirements can be completed with a parent or an adult leader as the counselor (for the STEM Nova awards) or mentor (for the Supernova awards). Each guidebook includes a section for the counselor and mentor.

More information can be found at National Council.