Supernova Award

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award


Cub Scout Supernova AwardTo earn the Cub Scout Supernova award, you must be a Bear or Wolf Cub 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 Counselor
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.
Tigers are not eligible to earn the Cub Scout Supernova award.
Although it is not a requirement, it is recommended that you earn at least two of the four Nova awards for Cub Scouts before earning the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award.
​
Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award

For Cub Scouts
This Supernova award can be earned by Cub Scouts like you who want to soar in science.
​
Requirements
  1. Complete both of the adventures appropriate for your rank.
    1. Wolf Cub Scouts 
      Air of the Wolf
      Make It Move
    2. Bear Cub Scouts
      Make it Move
      Super Science
  2. Complete the following adventure appropriate for your rank.
    1. Wolf Cub Scouts 
      Call of the Wild
    2. Bear Cub Scouts
      Forensics OR Marble Madness
  3. Find interesting facts about Dr. Luis W. Alvarez 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 learn with your mentor, including answers to the following questions: What very important award did Dr. Alvarez earn? What was his famous theory about dinosaurs?
  4. Find out about three 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 Cub 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 OR do a special science project approved by your teacher. Discuss this activity with your mentor.
  7. Do ONE of the following:
    1. Visit with someone who works in a STEM-related career. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
    2. Learn about a career that depends on knowledge about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
  8. Learn about the scientific method (or scientific process). Discuss this with your mentor, and include a simple demonstration to show what you learned.
  9. Participate in a Nova- or other STEM-related activity in your Cub Scout den or pack meeting that is conducted by a Boy Scout or Venturer 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 an application for the Cub Scout Supernova  award to the district STEM or advancement committee for approval.

Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award

To earn the Webelos Scout Supernova award, you must be a Webelos 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).
​
If you earned the Cub Scout Supernova award, you must repeat similar requirements while you are a Webelos Scout.
Although it is not a requirement, it is recommended that you earn at least two of the four Nova awards for Cub Scouts before earning the Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova Award.
For Webelos Scouts
​
This Supernova award can be earned by Webelos Scouts like you.

Requirements
  1. Complete the following Webelos adventures: Adventures in Science, Engineer, and Scouting Adventure.
  2. Complete three of the following adventures: Build It, Building a Better World, Castaway, First Responder, Into the Wild, and Into the Woods.
  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:
    1. Visit with someone who works in a STEM-related career. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
    2. 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 Boy Scout or Venturer 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 an application for the Webelos Scout Supernova award  to the district STEM or advancement committee for approval.