Knox Trail Council Roundtable
The BSA STEM Program
Presented by the Viking District
Overview
• What is STEM?
• STEM Ideas
• Using STEM in Scouting
• Science With a Purpose
• Resources
STEM Overview
• What is STEM?… An Acronym– Science– Technology– Engineering–Math
• In the BSA, – Boy Scouts of America initiative
Why STEM?
• From St. Louis Council– These disciplines are considered by many to be the
foundation of an advanced society. In many forums -- including political, governmental, and academic -- the strength of the STEM workforce is viewed as an indicator of a nation's ability to sustain itself.
• From the BSA– The spirit of innovation can help us overcome
challenges and ensure a prosperous and secure future. To seize this opportunity, we must position ourselves at the cutting edge of scientific discovery and technological innovation
The Vision
• BSA Vision for the STEM program– Encourage the natural curiosity of youth
members and their sense of wonder about STEM fields through existing programs.
• Knox Trail Vision for STEM– Incorporate STEM program into Council
Activities
STEM Program Overview
• Positions– Nova Counselor (non-unit position)
• Adult 21+
– Mentor (non-unit position)• Subject Matter Expert• Complete an application• Working with more than one youth
• Awards– Nova– Supernova
STEM Nova Awards
• Age Appropriate Activities– Cub Scouts / Webelos– Boy Scouts– Venturers
• Four Modules– Covers each area in STEM– Receive the Nova Patch+ 3 π(pi) pins
Nova Samples
• Cub Scout / Webelos - Nova – Watch an episode of a show about anything
related to science (1 hour).– Complete ONE belt loop or pin from the list– Choose a question you would like to investigate– Investigate– Discuss– Visit a place where science is being done– Discuss how technology affects your life.
STEM Supernova Awards
More rigorous than Nova– Separate Webelos Supernova award
• Designed to motivate more in-depth and advancement in STEM related fields– Recommend Cub Scouts/Webelos earning at least 2
Nova awards prior to Supernova– Boy Scouts/Venturers Require 3-4 for Supernova– Two Levels for Boy Scouts (Bronze / Silver)– Three Levels for Venturer (Bronze / Silver / Gold)
• Complete requirements and submit application for awards for committee approval
Supernova Samples
• Venturers - Sally Ride Award (Bronze)– Complete 3 Nova Awards– Maintain a B Average in school– Discuss with your mentor 2 research situations– Complete STEM explorations for four of the topics– Show that you have taken part in a scholarly activity– Write a 500 word argument about reporting cheating– Complete 2 Supernova activity topics– Participate in a STEM competition– Spend a day shadowing a scientist or engineer– Present Nova award to Cub Scout– Analyze two competing theories and create a presentation– Submit an application
Opportunities for Improvement
• BSA STEM Web site
STEM Ideas (1 of 3)
• Guest Speakers– Local Technology Companies– Unit Parents / Leaders
• Group Activities– Kits
• Rockets / Pinewood Derby / Rain Gutter Regatta
STEM Ideas (2 of 3)
• Group Activities– DIY (Do It Yourself)
• Hovercraft• Soapbox Derby / Go Cart• Bottle Rockets• Stomp Rockets
– Puzzles• Hanging Nails• Rubik’s Cube
STEM Ideas (3 of 3)
• Humor– There are 10 types of people, those who
understand binary, those who don’t and those who didn’t expect this joke to be about base 3.
– Three statisticians duck hunting– Infinite number of Mathematicians ordering a
drink.– Why did the chicken cross the Mobius Strip?
Focus on STEM Everyday
• Why are STEM disciplines desired?– Problem solving -- Using generic or ad hoc
methods, in an orderly manner, for finding solutions to problems
• Examine activities looking for opportunities to apply problem solving techniques
Problem Solving Examples
• Tiger Badge– Leaf analysis– Weather observation
• Wolf– Start a collection (Dmitri Mendeleev)
STEM Everywhere (1 of 3)
• Cooking– Chemistry– Physics– Following Directions
STEM Everywhere (2 of 3)
• Campfire (What-if)– Paper Cup w/ Water– Other items
• Flour• Sugar• Coffee-mate• Corn Starch
– Remember to ask, “Why!”
STEM Everywhere (3 of 3)
• Build it– Shelter– Bridge– Tower
• Review underlying Principles
• Other innovations– Bucket Brigade
STEM with a Purpose
• Team Building
• Leadership Training
Resources
• BSA STEM Website• Knox Trail Council - M. Casey / STEM
Guidebook• Google• You Tube
– Minute Phyisics– Veritasium– Numberphile– Smarter Everyday– Khan Academy