There are four topics for which Cub Scouts can earn Nova awards. The Nova patch is earned for the first award and then a pi (π) pin-on device that attaches to the patch is earned for each of the other three topics. The patch and three devices represent each of the four STEM topics—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Purchase a Nova awards guidebook, available through local Scout shops. The requirements can be completed with a parent or an adult leader as the counselor. Each guidebook includes a section for the counselor and mentor.

1. Complete ALL requirements for A, B, or C:
1. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about anything related to science. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
2. Read (about one hour total) about anything related to science. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
3. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything related to science. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
2. Complete ONE belt loop or pin from the following list. (Choose one that you have not already earned.)

Astronomy	Nutrition
Collecting	Pet Care
Geography	Photography
Geology	Science
Map and Compass	Weather
Mathematics	Wildlife Conservation

3. Act like a scientist! Do EACH of the following:
1. With your counselor, choose a question you would like to investigate.
   Here are some examples only (you may get other ideas from your belt loop or pin activities):
1. Why do rockets have fins? Is there any connection between the feathers on arrows and fins on rockets?
2. Why do some cars have spoilers? How do spoilers work?
3. If there is a creek or stream in your neighborhood, where does it go? Does your stream flow to the Atlantic or the Pacific ocean?
4. Is the creek or stream in your neighborhood or park polluted?
5. What other activity can you think of that involves some kind of scientific questions or investigation?
2. With a parent or your counselor, use the scientific method/process to investigate your question. Keep records of your question, the information you found, how you investigated, and what you found out about your question.
3. Discuss your investigation and findings with your counselor.
4. Visit a place where science is being done, used, or explained, such as one of the following: zoo, aquarium, water treatment plant, observatory, science museum, weather station, fish hatchery, or any other location where science is being done, used, or explained.
1. During your visit, talk to someone in charge about science.
2. Discuss with your counselor the science done, used, or explained at the place you visited.
5. Discuss with your counselor how science affects your everyday life.

1. Look up a definition of the word technology and discuss the meaning with your counselor.
2. Discuss EACH of the following with your counselor.
1. How technology is used in EACH of the following fields:
1. Communication
2. Business
3. Construction
4. Sports
5. Entertainment
2. Tell why technology is important.
3. Complete ALL requirements for A, B, or C:
1. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about anything related to technology. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
2. Read (about one hour total) about anything related to technology. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
3. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything related to technology. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
4. Complete ONE belt loop or pin from the following list. (Choose one that you have not already earned.)

Astronomy	Mathematics
BB-gun Shooting	Music
Bicycling	Photography
Bowling	Snow Ski and Board Sports
Computers	Video Games
Map and Compass

5. What technology is used in your belt loop or pin?
1. Discuss with your counselor how you think this technology:
1. Was invented
2. Could be made better
2. Discuss your ideas about technology with your counselor.
6. Visit a place where technology is being designed, used, or explained, such as one of the following: an amusement park, a police or fire station, a radio or television station, a newspaper office, a factory or store, or any other location where technology is being designed, used, or explained.
1. During your visit, talk to someone in charge about the following:
1. The technologies used where you are visiting
2. Why the organization is using these technologies
2. Discuss with your counselor the technology that is designed, used, or explained at the place you visited.
7. Discuss with your counselor how technology affects your everyday life.

1. Complete ALL requirements for A, B, or C:
1. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show about anything related to motion or machines. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
2. Read (about one hour total) about anything related to motion or machines. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
3. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything related to motion or machines. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
2. Complete ONE belt loop or pin from the following list. (Choose one that you have not already earned.)

Badminton	Mathematics
Baseball	Softball
BB-gun Shooting	Table Tennis
Fishing	Tennis
Golf	Ultimate
Hockey

3. Levers
1. Make a list or drawing of the three types of levers. (A lever is one kind of simple machine.)
2. Be able to tell your counselor:
1. The class of each lever
2. How each lever works
3. With your counselor, discuss:
1. The type of lever that is involved with the motion for the belt loop or pin you chose for requirement 2
2. What you learned about levers and motion from earning your belt loop or pin
3. Why we use levers
4. Do the following:
1. Visit a place that uses levers, such as a playground, carpentry shop, construction site, restaurant kitchen, or any other location that uses levers.
2. Discuss with your counselor the equipment or tools that use levers in the place you visited.
5. Do EACH of the following:
1. On your own, design, including a drawing, sketch, or model, ONE of the following:
1. A playground fixture that uses a lever
2. A game or sport that uses a lever
3. An invention that uses a lever
2. Discuss with your counselor how the lever in your design will move something.
6. Discuss with your counselor how levers affect your everyday life.

1. Complete ALL requirements for A, B, or C:
1. Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show that involves math or physics. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
2. Read (about one hour total) about anything that involves math or physics. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
3. Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything that involves math or physics. Then do the following:
1. Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched.
2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.
2. Complete the Mathematics OR Computers pin.
3. Choose TWO options from A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements for those options. Keep your work to share with your counselor. The necessary information to make your calculations can be found in a book or on the Internet. (See the Helpful Links box for ideas.) You may work with a parent or your counselor on these calculations.
1. Choose TWO of the following places and calculate how much you would weigh there.
1. On the sun or the moon
2. On Jupiter or Pluto
3. On a planet that you choose
2. Choose ONE of the following and calculate its height:
1. A tree
2. Your house
3. A building of your choice
3. Calculate the volume of air in your bedroom. Make sure your measurements have the same units—all feet or all inches—and show your work.

Volume = Length × Width × Height

4. Secret Codes
1. Look up, then discuss with your counselor each of the following:
1. Cryptography
2. At least three ways secret codes or ciphers are made
3. How secret codes and ciphers relate to mathematics
2. Design a secret code or cipher. Then do the following:
1. Write a message in your code or cipher.
2. Share your code or cipher with your counselor.
5. Discuss with your counselor how math affects your everyday life.