It Works for Us
Ideas from Other Units
From Lora Perez in Troop 799, Quicksilver District, SVMBC
Pick a STEM award that looks relevant to activities the scouts are working on or ties to a merit badge that the scouts may be either doing at summer camp or in their patrols in the upcoming months. For instance, since we know that many boys take rifle or shotgun at their summer camps, a great STEM Nova Award to promote is Shoot! We promote to the troop that those two merit badges are STEM related, and that we will be following up with the Nova Award Shoot! in the Fall. Then, once Fall comes, promote, promote, promote STEM and provide activities they can participate in to fulfill the STEM Nova requirements for that award.
Also, I would say to be aware of what the boys may be working on at school that is STEM related. For instance, I know that in 5th grade, a lot of the schools teach the kids about simple machines, which is directly related to the Nova Award Whoosh! This is a great way to entice younger scouts to pursue getting involved in the STEM awards.
Ideas from Other Units
From Lora Perez in Troop 799, Quicksilver District, SVMBC
Pick a STEM award that looks relevant to activities the scouts are working on or ties to a merit badge that the scouts may be either doing at summer camp or in their patrols in the upcoming months. For instance, since we know that many boys take rifle or shotgun at their summer camps, a great STEM Nova Award to promote is Shoot! We promote to the troop that those two merit badges are STEM related, and that we will be following up with the Nova Award Shoot! in the Fall. Then, once Fall comes, promote, promote, promote STEM and provide activities they can participate in to fulfill the STEM Nova requirements for that award.
Also, I would say to be aware of what the boys may be working on at school that is STEM related. For instance, I know that in 5th grade, a lot of the schools teach the kids about simple machines, which is directly related to the Nova Award Whoosh! This is a great way to entice younger scouts to pursue getting involved in the STEM awards.