This module is designed to help you explore how math affects your life each day.
Math and physics are used in almost every kind of invention, including cars, airplanes, and telescopes. Math also includes cryptography, the use of secret codes.
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Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements. |
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A. |
Watch an episode or episodes (about one hour total) of a show that involves math or physics. Then do the following: |
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Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you watched. |
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Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor. |
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Some examples include—but are not limited to—shows found on PBS (“NOVA”), Discovery Channel, Science Channel, National Geographic Channel, TED Talks (online videos), and the History Channel. You may choose to watch a live performance or movie at a planetarium or science museum instead of watching a media production. You may watch online productions with your counselor’s approval and under your parent’s supervision. |
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B. |
Read (about one hour total) about anything that involves math or physics. Then do the following: |
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Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read. |
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Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor. |
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Books on many topics may be found at your local library. Examples of magazines include but are not limited to Odyssey, KIDS DISCOVER, National Geographic Kids, Highlights, and OWL or owlkids.com |
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C. |
Do a combination of reading and watching (about one hour total) about anything that involves math or physics. Then do the following: |
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Make a list of at least two questions or ideas from what you read and watched. |
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Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor. |
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Complete ONE adventure from the following list for your current rank or complete option A or B. (If you choose an Adventure, choose one you have not already earned.) Discuss with your counselor what kind of science, technology, engineering, and math was used in the adventure or option. |
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Option A: Complete both of the following: (a) Conduct an opinion survey through which you collect data to answer a question and then show your results with a chart or graph. For example, what is the favorite food of the scouts in your den (chart how many like pizza, how many like cookies, etc.). (b). Conduct and keep a record of a coin toss probability experiment. Keep track of at least 25 tosses. |
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Option B: Complete both of the following: (a) Interview four adults in different occupations and see how they use measurement in their job. (b) Measure how tall someone is. Have them measure you. Complete in both inches and centimeters. |
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Explore 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 your counselor on these calculations. |
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Choose TWO of the following places and calculate how much you would weigh there. |
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On the sun or the moon |
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On Jupiter or Pluto |
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On a planet that you choose |
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Choose ONE of the following and calculate its height: |
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A tree |
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Your house |
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A building of your choice |
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C. |
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. |
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Volume = Length × Width × Height |
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Secret Codes |
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Look up, then discuss with your counselor each of the following: |
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Cryptography |
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At least three ways secret codes or ciphers are made |
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How secret codes and ciphers relate to mathematics |
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Design a secret code or cipher. Then do the following: |
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Write a message in your code or cipher. |
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Share your code or cipher with your counselor. |
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Discuss with your counselor how math affects your everyday life. |
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Cub Scout Supernova Award
To 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 seven 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 the adventure appropriate for your rank and complete option A or option B.
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Wolf Cub Scouts |
Bear Cub Scouts |
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Code of the Wolf |
Make It Move |
Option A: Do all of the following: (a) Keep track of the money you earn and spend for three weeks. (b) Geometry: Select a simple shape or figure. Observe the world around you for at least a week and keep a record of where you see this shape or figure and how it is used. (c) Visit a bank and have someone explain how interest works. Use the current interest rate and calculate how much interest different sums of money will earn.
Option B: Do all of the following: (a) Measure how you use your time by keeping a diary or log of what you do for a week. Then make a chart or graph to display how you spend your time. (b) Measure, mix, and prepare at least two recipes. Share your snacks with family, friends, or your den. (c) Study geometry in architecture by exploring your neighborhood or community. Look at different types of buildings-houses, places of worship, businesses, etc.-and create a presentation (a set of photographs, a collage of pictures from newspapers and magazines, a model) that you can share with your den or pack to show what you have seen and learned about shapes in architecture.
2. Complete the adventure appropriate for your rank or complete option A or B.
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Wolf Cub Scouts |
Bear Cub Scouts |
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Call of the Wild |
Forensics |
Option A: Do all of the following: (a) Go shopping with an adult and use a calculator to add up how much the items you buy will cost. See whether your total equals the total at check out. (b) Explain the meaning of these statistical words and tools: data, averaging, tally marks, bar graph, line graph, pie chart, and percentage. (c) Study a newspaper or online news source, with your parent’s or guardian’s permission, to find as many examples as you can of statistical information.
Option B: Do both of the following: (a) Explain to your den or your Mentor how a meteorologist or insurance company (or someone else) might use the mathematics of probability to predict what might happen in the future (i.e., the chance that it might rain, or the chance that someone might be in a car accident).(b) Predict the probability of a plastic bottle landing on its bottom, top, and side. Then flip it 100 times and keep track of which way it lands. Identify any possible sources of experimental error. Discuss the differences if the bottle is empty or full.
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:
- Visit with someone who works in a STEM-related career. Discuss what you learned with your mentor.
- 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.
