Nova Awards FAQ
UPDATED 5/3/2022 from https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/stem-faq/
RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Q: What changes are happening to STEM Nova awards?
A: Effective June 1, 2022, local councils will be responsible for administering the STEM Nova awards program. Councils will be responsible for the approval of awards and ensuring recognition is available for their units.
Q: I have a Scout working on a STEM Nova award prior to June 1, 2022. What do they need to do before June 1st?
A: Nothing. There is no change in how the STEM Nova or Supernova awards are earned. The only exception is if an older youth is working on the Dr. Albert Einstein Award. After June 1, the award is sent to the local council for approval – not the national committee.
Q: Is the information on the STEM Nova awards website current?
A: To date the information on the STEM Nova awards is current. Minor edits to the page will be made on June 1, 2022, to reflect the most current and accurate information for all awards.
Q: Some Cub Scout Adventures are no longer available that were part of the options to earn a STEM Nova. How do Cub Scouts earn these STEM Nova awards?
A: The updated requirements for the Cub Scout STEM Nova awards will be updated on June 1st and posted at https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/awards/cub-scout/
Q: Will there be new STEM Nova or Supernova Awards released?
A: No. Only the current STEM Nova and Supernova Awards will be available.
Q: Can a local Council create their own STEM Nova or Supernova Awards?
A: No. Councils may conduct STEM based programs in accordance to the Guide to Safe Scouting and the National Camp Accreditation Program standards.
Q: How will STEM Nova counselors and Supernova mentors get trained?
A: Program modules for STEM Nova counselors and Supernova mentors will be available on the STEM Nova awards website for councils to support those positions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED PACK, TROOP, CREW, AND SHIP QUESTIONS
Q: Are there STEM Nova awards for Lions (Kindergarten) and Tigers (First Grade)?
A: No. The Nova Awards for Cub Scouts begins with the Wolf (Second Grade) year.
Q: Can youth get credit for a previously earned merit badge, belt loop, or pin?
A: Yes, but we do encourage Scouts to consider earning new ones so they can explore new interests.
Q: Can youth earn a Nova award more than once?
A: Yes. STEM Nova Awards are available in different focus areas. When a Scout earns a STEM Nova the first time, they are awarded the STEM Nova patch. If they earn another STEM Nova, they are presented with a Pi device (pin) that is placed on the patch.
Q: Can Scouts BSA earn the Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award?
A: Yes. This is an improvement to the program that was made in 2022.
Q: Who is eligible to serve as a Nova Awards counselor?
A: A Nova Awards counselor must be age 21 or older and be registered under the Nova Awards counselor position code 58. They must have current Youth Protection training. This is a non-unit position and requires no fee. Online training is now available at my.scouting.org or through your local council.
Q: Can a Nova Awards counselor or Supernova mentor be the Scout’s parent or guardian?
A: Yes. A parent or guardian may counsel their own child for a Nova, if the parent or guardian is a currently registered Nova counselor. For Supernova awards the parent/guardian must be a council-approved and currently registered Supernova mentor. They may only mentor their own Cub Scout if the mentoring is done simultaneously for a group of Cub Scouts that includes their own child. Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts must work with a currently registered Supernova awards mentor other than their own parent/guardian.
Q: Is long-distance mentoring via telephone or videoconference permitted?
A: Yes. The adult must be currently registered as a Supernova awards mentor or Nova awards counselor with their local council. All youth protection protocols must be followed at all times.
Q: Is it OK to substitute watching a live science demonstration for the Nova Awards for the requirements to watch a television or online show?
A: Yes. A live demonstration is part of the Explain Demonstrate Guide and Enable (EDGE) principle of learning used in Scouting.
Q: Whom do I contact to find a council-approved Supernova Awards mentor?
A: Contact your local council for a list of mentors. A Supernova Awards mentor must be: age 21 or older, a subject matter expert in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) field, and registered under the Supernova Awards mentor position code 52. This is a no-fee position that requires current Youth Protection Training. Applicants complete a Supernova mentor application along with a BSA Adult Application to the local council for approval.
Q: If I am already registered under another position, do I need to fill out another application to be a Supernova Awards mentor?
A: Yes, you are required to be registered in this position and you will be dual-registered.
Q: Once a youth has fulfilled the requirements for a STEM Nova or Supernova award, what is the next step?
A: For STEM Nova awards fill out an advancement report with the proper signatures or record it using Scoutbook, for Supernova awards complete the Supernova Award Application and submit to your local council for approval.
Q. Can Supernovas be earned in a group setting?
A: For Cub Scouts, Yes. For Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouts, No. Supernova awards are meant to be earned individually, under the direct supervision of a Council-approved Supernova mentor. In Cub Scouts, groups may work together but each Cub Scout must individually and personally complete each requirement. Supernova awards at the Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout levels are intended to be completed individually (no group or classroom-style instruction). All work for the Albert Einstein Supernova Award must be done on an individual basis, by the Scout and under the direct supervision of their Council-approved mentor.
Q: If I have additional questions whom do I contact?
A: Contact your local council or your STEM Nova counselor or Supernova mentor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED COUNCIL QUESTIONS
Q: What will councils do for STEM Nova and Supernova awards?
A: After June 1, 2022 councils will be responsible for administering the STEM Nova and Supernova awards program. Councils will be responsible for the approval of awards and ensuring recognition is available for their units. This includes the Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova earned by older youth.
Q: What does our council need to do to support the Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova?
A: The award is extremely rare. Nationally, an average of one Scout a year has earned the award. If your council receives an application have your council advancement chair review the requirements for the award and the material presented by the youth. Once the council has confirmed the youth has completed all requirements then the application is signed by the Scout Executive or designee and the appropriate recognition is ordered.
Q: Can our council create our own STEM Nova or Supernova awards?
A: No. Councils may continue to conduct STEM based programs in accordance to the Guide to Safe Scouting and the National Camp Accreditation Program standards.
Q: How does the council support STEM Nova mentors and Supernova counselors?
A: On June 1, 2022, the STEM Nova website on Scouting.org will have program resources in the form of power points that your council may use to support STEM Nova mentors and Supernova counselors.
Q: Will STEM Nova and Supernova awards be available in Scoutbook and Internet Advancement 2.0?
A: Yes.