Frequently Asked Questions
1. For record keeping, do we use a blue card to keep track of requirements?
There are no blue cards for the Nova or Supernova awards. To keep track of the requirements, you can use one of the worksheets on this website. Alternatively, you can just photocopy the award requirements from the guidebook or online and annotate each requirement with a Nova Counselor's signature.
2. Do we submit the completion paperwork to council on the same form as a merit badge? Or is there additional paperwork?
For Nova Award completions, you record them on your troop advancement report. Each Nova Award has its own code. Then you can purchase the appropriate patches and/or pins for each Scout who has earned one. For the Supernova awards, there is an application form online. This needs to be printed and completed and turned in to the Council for approvals.
3. It is my understanding that the Nova Awards will be recognized with a patch for the first award and a pin for each subsequent award. Supernova awards will be recognized with a medal. Is this correct?
This is correct. The first earned Nova Award earns the Nova patch and each subsequent Nova earns a pi pin that attaches to the patch. Supernova Awards are recognized with a medal on a neck ribbon.
4. Are the patch and pins worn on the uniform or the sash? If the uniform, what is the placement?
The Nova patch is attached via a loop to the button on the right side pocket of the uniform shirt.
5. Are Scouts required to earn Nova awards before moving on to Supernova awards?
Boy Scouts and Venturers are required to earn three Nova Awards before moving on to the Supernova Awards. Boy Scouts, in addition, must achieve the rank of First Class before earning a Supernova Award. Cub Scouts are recommended to earn two Nova Awards before moving on to the Supernova Awards.
6. For boys that earned a Nova Award in Cub Scouts, do they have to earn three Boy Scout Nova Awards before they can progress to Supernova? Or do those awards carry over? For example, if a boy earns two Cub Scout Nova Awards and one Boy Scout Nova Award, is he then eligible to work on a Boy Scout Supernova?
No. The Nova Awards do not carry over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. For a Boy Scout to be eligible to pursue the Boy Scout Supernova awards, he must earn three Boy Scout Nova awards. This requirement for the first Boy Scout Supernova award actually says "Boy Scout Nova Awards".
7. Can Boy Scouts earn the Einstein Supernova Award?
No. Only Venturers can earn the Venturer Supernova Awards, including the Einstein Supernova Award. A boy can be dual registered as a Boy Scout and as a Venturer and earn the Einstein Supernova, but he earns the award as a Venturer, not as a Boy Scout.
8. Are parents allowed to be Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors for their own children?
Parents are allowed to be Nova Counselors for their own children. A parent CANNOT be a Supernova Mentor for his or her own child unless that parent is mentoring multiple youth. In all cases, it is strongly recommended that parents NEVER work with their own children on these awards. It's nearly impossible for parents to be as objective with their own children as they are with other children. In addition, children of all ages gain valuable life skills by working under the guidance of adults who aren't their parents.
9. Can we run a Nova Award event (or series of events) in our unit in which each youth earns a particular Nova Award?
Yes, as long as you are careful that each youth demonstrates completion of each requirement. Many elements of the Nova Awards are ideal for group activities, especially visits to STEM destinations and participation in hands-on activities. However, each youth must demonstrate completion of each requirement, independent of the other youth in the unit. There are many ways in which group activities derail this intent, so special care must be taken to ensure that each youth has the opportunity to demonstrate his/her own thoughts, work, efforts, and so on. For example, many requirements include the directive "discuss with your Nova Counselor". This means that EACH youth must have a discussion with a Nova Counselor. A group discussion is not okay, because often one kid dominates, the shy kids don't participate, and any kid who speaks up after the first can essentially say, "I agree with Scout A." As another example, some requirements ask the youth to build or design a widget. Again, EACH youth must build or design his/her own widget. If a group of 4 Scouts works together to build a single widget, that does not qualify the 4 Scouts to each have that requirement checked off.
1. For record keeping, do we use a blue card to keep track of requirements?
There are no blue cards for the Nova or Supernova awards. To keep track of the requirements, you can use one of the worksheets on this website. Alternatively, you can just photocopy the award requirements from the guidebook or online and annotate each requirement with a Nova Counselor's signature.
2. Do we submit the completion paperwork to council on the same form as a merit badge? Or is there additional paperwork?
For Nova Award completions, you record them on your troop advancement report. Each Nova Award has its own code. Then you can purchase the appropriate patches and/or pins for each Scout who has earned one. For the Supernova awards, there is an application form online. This needs to be printed and completed and turned in to the Council for approvals.
3. It is my understanding that the Nova Awards will be recognized with a patch for the first award and a pin for each subsequent award. Supernova awards will be recognized with a medal. Is this correct?
This is correct. The first earned Nova Award earns the Nova patch and each subsequent Nova earns a pi pin that attaches to the patch. Supernova Awards are recognized with a medal on a neck ribbon.
4. Are the patch and pins worn on the uniform or the sash? If the uniform, what is the placement?
The Nova patch is attached via a loop to the button on the right side pocket of the uniform shirt.
5. Are Scouts required to earn Nova awards before moving on to Supernova awards?
Boy Scouts and Venturers are required to earn three Nova Awards before moving on to the Supernova Awards. Boy Scouts, in addition, must achieve the rank of First Class before earning a Supernova Award. Cub Scouts are recommended to earn two Nova Awards before moving on to the Supernova Awards.
6. For boys that earned a Nova Award in Cub Scouts, do they have to earn three Boy Scout Nova Awards before they can progress to Supernova? Or do those awards carry over? For example, if a boy earns two Cub Scout Nova Awards and one Boy Scout Nova Award, is he then eligible to work on a Boy Scout Supernova?
No. The Nova Awards do not carry over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. For a Boy Scout to be eligible to pursue the Boy Scout Supernova awards, he must earn three Boy Scout Nova awards. This requirement for the first Boy Scout Supernova award actually says "Boy Scout Nova Awards".
7. Can Boy Scouts earn the Einstein Supernova Award?
No. Only Venturers can earn the Venturer Supernova Awards, including the Einstein Supernova Award. A boy can be dual registered as a Boy Scout and as a Venturer and earn the Einstein Supernova, but he earns the award as a Venturer, not as a Boy Scout.
8. Are parents allowed to be Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors for their own children?
Parents are allowed to be Nova Counselors for their own children. A parent CANNOT be a Supernova Mentor for his or her own child unless that parent is mentoring multiple youth. In all cases, it is strongly recommended that parents NEVER work with their own children on these awards. It's nearly impossible for parents to be as objective with their own children as they are with other children. In addition, children of all ages gain valuable life skills by working under the guidance of adults who aren't their parents.
9. Can we run a Nova Award event (or series of events) in our unit in which each youth earns a particular Nova Award?
Yes, as long as you are careful that each youth demonstrates completion of each requirement. Many elements of the Nova Awards are ideal for group activities, especially visits to STEM destinations and participation in hands-on activities. However, each youth must demonstrate completion of each requirement, independent of the other youth in the unit. There are many ways in which group activities derail this intent, so special care must be taken to ensure that each youth has the opportunity to demonstrate his/her own thoughts, work, efforts, and so on. For example, many requirements include the directive "discuss with your Nova Counselor". This means that EACH youth must have a discussion with a Nova Counselor. A group discussion is not okay, because often one kid dominates, the shy kids don't participate, and any kid who speaks up after the first can essentially say, "I agree with Scout A." As another example, some requirements ask the youth to build or design a widget. Again, EACH youth must build or design his/her own widget. If a group of 4 Scouts works together to build a single widget, that does not qualify the 4 Scouts to each have that requirement checked off.
