Earning the Supernova Award
All the Information you need to begin the Supernova Award
Do you have Scouts interested in earning the Supernova Award? This
article will provide you with some of the knowledge and tools needed to
accomplish this awesome award.
What is the Supernova Award?
The Supernova Award is a STEM based award that involves significant
accomplishment extending beyond day to day advancement in the Scouting
and Venturing programs. Youth will learn some fundamentals of topic
areas and perform original STEM investigations and projects. They work
with an adult mentor who are accomplished STEM practioners who guide
exploration and provide advancement quality control.
Who Can Earn the Award?
The Supernova Award is available to all three levels of Scouting (Cub
Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturing). The requirements become more
rigorous the older you get. Some of the achievements for Boy Scouts
and Venturing can overlap along the way.
What is a Supernova Mentor?
A Supernova Mentor is a registered Council position that requires a
STEM background and training. This training is offered at every
University of Scouting and is held in Districts throughout the year.
These mentors are approved by the STEM committee and require a special
application (along with a fully filled out BSA adult application). A
mentor is the person who supports and guides the youth through the
Supernova Award process.
Steps to Earning the Supernova Award:
- Have the Scout determine which award they would like to pursue -
depending on the youth's age, they could choose between multiple
Supernova Awards to pursue. Sit down with them and determine if this is
an award they would like to earn and which one they would like to do.
- Find a Supernova Mentor - this is a very important step for the
youth to take. You can obtain a list of registered, trained, and
approved Supernova mentors from the STEM Director at the Council. This
will give you a list of potential Mentors. Another option is to have a
leader in your own unit who has a STEM background attend a Supernova
Mentor training at the University of Scouting, Roundtable, etc.
- The youth and Mentor discuss the award and requirements - this
meeting really sets the stage for the youth. It lays out the
requirements and what is expected of them to earn the award.
- Youth works to complete the requirements - the youth works to
complete the requirements and seeks help from the mentor when they run
into issues or need help making a contact with a business.
- Youth and Mentor discuss the completed requirements - this is a chance for the youth to reflect on their experiences.
- Complete a Supernova Award Application and submit it to the
Council STEM Director - a completed application must be turned in with
signatures from a unit leader, the youth, and the Supernova Mentor. The
STEM Committee will review the application and sign in the last two
spots.
After You Turn in Your Application:
After Supernova Award Applications are turned in, they are reviewed
by the Northern Star Council STEM Committee. This committee meets once
a month and approves application at the meeting. Once approved, the
application is signed and emailed back to the address provided on the
application.
The only exception to this process is the Dr. Albert Einstein Gold
Medal which can be earned by Venturing Scouts. This application is
still collected by the Council STEM Committee, but is reviewed by the
National STEM Committee for approval.
This signed application can be brought to the Scout Shop to purchase
the medal. We recommend contacting the Scout Shop prior to purchasing
to ensure they have a medal in stock.