STEM
Science | Technology | Engineering | Mathematics
Explore STEM in Scouting
Scouting America's STEM initiative gives Scouts an opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related concepts and learn how STEM knowledge is used in everyday life and in the professional world. The aim is to expose youth to new opportunities and help build interest in the STEM-related careers that are so crucial to our future economy.
For more information about STEM in Scouting, please contact Logan Lawrence, Senior STEM Executive, at Logan.Lawrence@scouting.org or 314-256-3142, or Tera Gunderman, Youth Program Executive, at Tera.Gunderman@scouting.org or 314-256-3084. General questions and award tracking: 312STEM@scouting.org.
Nova Awards
Hands-on STEM awards for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts, completed with a registered Nova Counselor.
Supernova Awards
Scouting's most challenging STEM awards. Each is named for a famous scientist or inventor and comes with a medal.
Counselors & Mentors
Help Scouts earn Nova and Supernova awards. No STEM background is needed to become a Nova Counselor.
STEM Resources
Nova cards, counselor and mentor guides, unit guides, the STEM STAR Patch and STEM Explorations.
Mobile STEM Labs
Three Mobile STEM Labs bring hands-on STEM to camps, unit meetings and special events across the council.
Volunteer
Become a Unit STEM Coordinator or join the Council STEM Committee and district STEM teams.
STEM Nova Awards
What Are the STEM Nova Awards?
Scouting America developed the STEM Nova Awards program to excite and expand a sense of wonder in our Scouts. By working with an adult counselor or mentor, the various modules allow them to explore the basic principles of STEM and discover how fun and fascinating STEM can be. The Supernova awards are offered for those who enjoy a super challenge. Discover how the STEM Nova Awards program helps youth be “Prepared. For Life.”
Nova Award Tracker
Please submit earned Nova Awards using the Nova Award Tracker. Scoutbook will soon end making this resource available. By doing so, our Council can keep track of earned awards and use toward sharing achievement success – especially for our Scout Districts that want to know STEM impact. This link will also provide an email receipt to show when purchasing the awards at the local Scout Shops.
Cub Scout Nova Awards
Science
Technology
Engineering
Math
Scouts BSA Nova Awards
Science
Technology
Engineering
Math
Venturing & Sea Scout Nova Awards
Science
Technology
Engineering
Math
STEM Supernova Awards
The STEM Supernova Awards are designed to take Scouts on a deep dive in various STEM topics. Each Supernova Award is named after a famous scientist or inventor and has a medal associated with it that is presented to the Scout.
Cub Scout Supernova Medals
Dr. Luis W. Alvarez
Bronze · For Wolf and Bear ranks
Dr. Charles H. Townes
Bronze · For Webelos and Arrow of Light
Scouts BSA Supernova Medals
Earned in this order: Dr. Bernard Harris (Bronze), Thomas Alva Edison (Silver), and Dr. Albert Einstein (Gold).
Dr. Bernard Harris
Bronze
Thomas Alva Edison
Silver
Venturing & Sea Scout Supernova Medals
Earned in this order: Dr. Sally Ride (Bronze), Wright Brothers (Silver), and Dr. Albert Einstein (Gold).
Dr. Sally Ride
Bronze
Wright Brothers
Silver
Become a Nova Counselor or Supernova Mentor
Submit an Adult Application
Use Position Code 42 and submit it to the council. If you are not already registered in another position, there is a single $25 fee.
More detail on approvals and renewals is on the Merit Badge Counselor Information page.
STEM Resources
Learn About Nova
- Nova Program – Familiarize yourself with the Nova program and find all the newest updates.
- STEM STAR Patch – New to Greater St. Louis Area Scouting? Earn this patch by going down the STEM trail while earning other core Scouting America advancements. The application is now available – apply here. Thanks to Daugherty Business Solutions, our patch sponsor!
- Nova Unit Guides – Need some help bringing STEM to your unit? The National STEM Committee developed STEM Unit Guides for Cub Scouts and for Scouts BSA.
- STEM merchandise can be found at Gateway Traders.
Nova Helpful Links
STEM Explorations
Introducing STEM Explorations: an exciting new awards program designed for Scouts eager to delve into the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Our catalog is expanding rapidly, featuring thrilling adventures like our Drone STEM Exploration, with many more innovative experiences on the horizon.
Mobile STEM Labs
Greater St. Louis Area Scouting proudly offers our cutting-edge STEM Fleet, featuring three state-of-the-art Mobile STEM Labs! These innovative vehicles are available across our entire council footprint, bringing the excitement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics directly to your camp, unit meeting, or special event. Our STEM Fleet is designed to make hands-on learning accessible and engaging for youth of all ages, ensuring every event is a memorable and educational adventure.
Volunteer Opportunities
Unit STEM Coordinator
Take the lead on bringing STEM to your unit by becoming knowledgeable about the Nova program and STEM opportunities. Download the role description. The USC patch is sold at Gateway Traders.
Nova Counselor
Train to become a Nova Counselor and help your Scouts earn their Nova awards (STEM expertise not required!). Use an adult application with position code 42 to register. See the steps.
Supernova Mentor
Train to become a Supernova Mentor and help area Scouts earn our most prestigious STEM awards (STEM expertise preferred). Use an adult application with position code 42 and a Supernova Mentor application to register.
Council STEM Committee
Join our committee of Scouters who are passionate about STEM, and help us plan and implement STEM Universities, STEM Camps, the Einstein Recognition Dinner, and other fun events. Contact your STEM Team to join: 312STEM@scouting.org.
- STEM Chair: Mark Fronmuller
- Venturing Initiatives Chair: Alan Kreppert
- Scouts BSA Initiatives Chair: Tom Dougherty
- Finance Chair: Vacant
- Cub Scout Initiatives Chair: Jay Wilkins
- Training Chair: Ron Colletti
- Marketing Chair: Sherry Watson
- Committee Vice Chair: Lisa Balbes
- Committee Vice Chair: Kevin McMeel
- Committee Vice Chair: Eric Voss
- Big Muddy: Gary Kinsel
- Black Gold: Cassie Clark
- Boone Trails: Nikolina Boone
- Cahokia Mounds: Terry Burke
- Cherokee: Vacant
- Egyptian: Wesley Calvert
- Gravois Trail: Mike Kemph
- Illini: Vacant
- Kaskaskia: Terry Johnson
- New Horizons: Lisa Balbes & Theresa Colletti
- North Star: Alan Kreppert
- Osage: Jay Wilkins
- Ozark Trailblazers: Vacant
- Pathfinder: Tom Dougherty
- Piasa Bird: Vacant
- Redhawk: Kristi Burroughs
- River Trails: Mariann Klemme
- Shawnee: Kevin McMeel
- Sioux: Amy Kopf
- Soaring Eagle: Douglas Stewart
Thanks to our Sponsors!
Dr. Albert Einstein Sponsor
World Wide Technology
Great Rivers Confluence Foundation
Dr. Marie Curie Sponsor
Bill Bailey
Spire
Nikola Tesla Sponsor
UMSL
Dr. Stephen Hawking Sponsor
ICL
John Allan Love Foundation
Craftsmen Industries
SEMO
Seyer Industries
Dr. George Washington Carver Sponsor
Daugherty Business Solutions
SIUE
SIUC
Lake Land College
Karen Vangyia
Ron & Teresa Colletti
STEM Program Annual Reports
Looking for STEM Events?
STEM Universities, camps, workshops and the Einstein Recognition Dinner are all listed on the council calendar.