Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award For Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts
This Supernova award can be earned by Cub Scouts like you who want to soar in science. To earn the award, you must be a Webelos or Arrow of Light Scout who is active with a den. With your parent's and unit leader's help, you must select a council-approved mentor who is a registered Scouter. You may NOT choose your parent or your unit leader (unless the mentor is working with more than one youth).
A Note to the Mentor
The Cub Scout Supernova award recognizes superior achievement by a Cub Scout in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
All experiments or projects should be conducted using the highest level of safety protocol and always under the supervision of a qualified, responsible adult.
Although it is not a requirement, it is recommended that you earn at least two Nova awards for Cub Scouts before earning the Dr. Charles H Townes Supernova Award.
A youth must be a registered Cub Scout in Webelos or Arrow of Light Scouts to earn this award.
1.
Complete two of the following: Elective Adventure Engineer, option A, or
option B.
Option A: Do all of the following:
a.
Construct one of the following from wood, and one from another
material: Book rack, Shelf, Bulletin board, Tie rack, Letter
holder, Notepad holder, Toolbox, Towel rack, Recipe holder, Lamp
stand, Kitchen knife rack, Kitchen utensil rack, Napkin holder,
Garden tool rack, Lid holder, Mailbox, Birdhouse, Desk nameplate,
Letter, bill, and pencil holder, Bread box, Key rack, Measuring cup
rack, Measuring spoon rack
b.
Keep an "insect zoo" with insects that you have collected. You
might have crickets, ants, or grasshoppers. Study them for a while
then release them. Share your experience with your den or your
Mentor.
c.
With adult supervision, show how to check the oil level and tire
pressure on a car.
Option B: Do all of the following:
a.
Take a field trip to a geological site, geological laboratory, or
rock show. Discuss what you learned at an upcoming den meeting or
with your mentor.
b.
Construct a simple working electrical circuit using a flashlight
battery, a switch, and a light.
c.
Do five activities within your home or school that require the use
of mathematics. Explain to your den or your Mentor how you use math
every day.
2.
Complete three of the following: Build It, First Responder, Into the
Wild, Into the Woods, option A or option B.
Option A: Do two of the following:
a.
Go on a geocaching adventure with your den or family. Show how you
used a GPS unit or a smartphone with a GPS application to locate a
geocache.
b.
Describe both the benefits and the harm wildfires can cause in a
forest ecosystem. Tell how you can prevent wildfire.
c.
Set up an aquarium or terrarium. Keep it for at least a month.
Option B: Do both of the following:
a.
With adult supervision, build and launch a model rocket. Describe
how Newton's third law of motion explains how the rocket is
propelled into the sky.
b.
While on a campout or night hike, identify five constellations or
satellites in the night sky.
3.
Find interesting facts about Dr. Charles H. Townes using resources in
your school or local library or on the Internet (with your parent's or
guardian's permission and guidance). Then discuss what you learned with
your mentor, including answers to the following questions: What very
important award did Dr. Townes earn? What was Dr. Townes' most famous
invention?
4.
Find out about five other famous scientists, technology innovators,
engineers, or mathematicians approved by your mentor. Discuss what you
learned with your mentor.
5.
Speak with your teacher(s) at school (or your parents if you are
home-schooled) OR one of your Cub Scout leaders about your interest in
earning the Webelos Scout Supernova award. Ask them why they think math
and science are important in your education. Discuss what you learn with
your mentor.
6.
Participate in a science project or experiment in your classroom or
school. Discuss this activity with your mentor.
7.
Do ONE of the following:
a.
Visit with someone who works in a STEM-related career. Discuss what
you learned with your mentor.
b.
Learn about a career that depends on knowledge about science,
technology, engineering, or mathematics. Discuss what you learned
with your mentor.
8.
Under the direct supervision of your mentor, do an experiment that shows
how the scientific method (or scientific process) is used. Prepare a
short report on the results of your experiment for your mentor.
9.
Participate in a Nova- or other STEM-related activity in your Webelos
Scout den or pack meeting that is conducted by a Scout BSA, Venturer, or
Sea Scout who is working on his or her Supernova award. If this is not
possible, participate in another Nova- or STEM-related activity in your
den or pack meeting.
10.
Submit your application for the
Webelos Scout Supernova award to the district STEM or advancement
committee for approval.
