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