This module is designed for Scouts BSA to help you explore how technology affects your life each day.
Start Your Engines!
Requirements last updated 2022-05-26. There are broken links and outdated information in places and formatting may not match between two Nova awards because the requirements are preserved to match the original state from Scouting America. Where available, the related counselor notes have been included along with the requirements.
1.
Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements.
A.
Watch about three hours total of technology-related shows or
documentaries that involve transportation or transportation
technology. Then do the following:
1.
Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from the
show(s) you watched.
2.
Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
Some examples include - but are not limited to - shows found on
PBS ("NOVA"), Discovery Channel, Science Channel, National
Geographic Channel, and TED Talks (online videos). You may
choose to watch a live performance or movie at a science
museum instead of watching a media production. You may watch
online productions with your counselor's approval and under
your parent's or guardian's supervision.
B.
Read (about three hours total) about transportation or
transportation technology. Then do the following:
1.
Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from each
article.
2.
Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
Examples of magazines include - but are not limited to - Odyssey,
Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Science Illustrated,
Discover, Air & Space, Aviation Week, Astronomy, Science
News, Natural History, Robot, Servo, and Scientific American.
C.
Do a combination of reading and watching (about three hours total).
Then do the following:
1.
Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from each
article or show.
2.
Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
2.
Complete ONE merit badge from the following list. (Choose one that you
have not already used toward another Nova award.) After completion,
discuss with your counselor how the merit badge you earned uses
technology.
3.
Do ALL the following.
A.
Using the requirements from the above list of merit badges:
1.
Tell your counselor the energy source(s) used in these merit
badges.
- Automotive Maintenance - Gasoline, diesel fuel, electric, blended gasoline, biodiesel, hybrid
- Aviation - Aviation fuel and kerosene
- Canoeing - Human power
- Cycling - Human power
- Drafting - Human power, electricity
- Electricity - Electromagnetism, chemical
- Energy - Biomass digesters, cogeneration, fossil fuel power, fuel cells, geothermal power, nuclear power, solar power, tidal energy, wave energy, ocean thermal energy, wind
- Farm Mechanics - Diesel fuel
- Kayaking–Human power
- Motorboating - Gasoline, diesel fuel, blended gasoline, biodiesel
- Nuclear Science - Nuclear energy
- Railroading - Diesel fuel
- Small-Boat Sailing - Wind
- Space Exploration - Most common solid: ammonium
perchlorate mixed with powdered aluminum
- Liquids for first-stage rockets - RP-1
- Liquids for second-stage rockets - Liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen
- Truck Transportation - Diesel fuel
2.
Discuss the pros and cons of each energy source with your
counselor.
Helpful Links
The following links are places to start.
"Diesel Reborn": Edmunds.com
Website: https://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/diesel-reborn.html "Aviation Jet Fuel Information": CSGNetwork.com
Website: http://www.csgnetwork.com/jetfuel.html
Website: https://www.edmunds.com/fuel-economy/diesel-reborn.html "Aviation Jet Fuel Information": CSGNetwork.com
Website: http://www.csgnetwork.com/jetfuel.html
B.
Make a list of sources of energy that may be possible to use in
transportation.
C.
With your counselor:
1.
Discuss alternative sources of energy.
2.
Discuss the pros and cons of using alternative energy
sources.
Helpful Links
The following links are places to start when researching
alternative fuels. It is not an exhaustive list. You can
also search "Air Force alternative fuels" using your favorite
search engine. Be sure you have your parent's or guardian's
permission to use the Internet.
"Alternative & Advanced Vehicles": U.S. Department of
Energy
Website: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_benefits.html Energy Sources and Uses: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration:
https://www.eia.gov/ "Alternative Fuels": U.S. Department of Energy
Website: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/current.shtml "Alternative Fuel": Popular Mechanics
Website: https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/hybrid-electric/ Nuclear Power: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration:
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/
Website: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_benefits.html Energy Sources and Uses: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration:
https://www.eia.gov/ "Alternative Fuels": U.S. Department of Energy
Website: https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/current.shtml "Alternative Fuel": Popular Mechanics
Website: https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/hybrid-electric/ Nuclear Power: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration:
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/
4.
Design and build a working model vehicle (not from a kit).
A.
Make drawings and specifications of your model vehicle before you
begin to build.
B.
Include one of the following energy sources to power your vehicle
(do not use gasoline or other combustible fuel source): solar
power, wind power, or battery power.
C.
Test your model. Then answer the following questions:
1.
How well did it perform?
2.
Did it move as well as you thought it would?
3.
Did you encounter problems? How can these problems be
corrected?
D.
Discuss with your counselor:
1.
Any difficulties you encountered in designing and building
your model
2.
Why you chose a particular energy source
3.
Whether your model met your specifications
4.
How you would modify your design to make it better
5.
Discuss with your counselor how technology affects your everyday life.
