Boy Scouts of America

Counselors & Mentors

Adults who deliver the STEM Nova Awards program are referred to as STEM Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors.  These are registered positions within the BSA.   Approval of these positions is done through the local council.  Those who are interested in serving as a STEM Nova Counselor or Supernova Mentor must submit an adult application and complete Youth Protection Training. 

STEM Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors may not deliver the program or meet with any Scouting youth until their BSA adult leader application has been approved and processed, including completion of Youth Protection Training. 

BSA adult leaders who are already registered must submit an application for STEM nova Counselor and/or Supernova Mentors as a duplicate membership.

STEM Nova Counselors do not have an additional application.

Supernova Mentors have an additional application that is submitted with their adult application and is approved by the local council. Supernova Mentor Application

Learning Modules

Below are a series of learning modules to support STEM Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors.  These modules may be self instructed or used by a local council to provide in-person training.

STEM Nova Counselors

Supernova Mentors

STEM Nova Counselor Learning Plan

  • What is STEM?
  • STEM Nova and Supernova
  • How to Teach a Nova Award Part 1
  • How to Teach a Nova Award Part 2

Supernova Mentor and Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award Mentor Learning Plan

  • What is STEM?
  • STEM Nova Supernova
  • How to Teach a Nova Award Part 1
  • How to Teach a Nova Award Part 2
  • Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award
WHAT IS STEM?

This module is for anyone interested in the STEM Nova program either as a parent, leader, counselor, or mentor.  This module explains what STEM is and how it is connected to Scouting.

What Is STEM (PowerPoint)

STEM NOVA AND SUPERNOVA AWARDS

What are STEM Nova and Supernova Awards?  This module explains the two awards, how they are earned, and the role of the STEM Nova Counselor and Supernova Mentor.

STEM Nova and Supernova Awards (PowerPoint)

HOW TO TEACH A NOVA AWARD 
PART 1 – PLANNING

This module is for STEM Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors.  It may also be used for leaders who want to learn how to incorporate STEM into their Scout program.

How to Teach a Nova Award Part 1 – Planning PowerPoint

HOW TO TEACH A NOVA AWARD 
PART 2 – IMPLEMENTATION

This module is for STEM Nova Counselors and Supernova Mentors.  It may also be used for leaders who want to learn how to incorporate STEM into their Scout program.

How to Teach a Nova Award Part 2 – Implementation PowerPoint

Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award

This module introduces the highest achievement in the STEM Nova Award program and guides mentors on how to coach and guide a Scout as they strive to earn the achievement. 

 Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award PowerPoint

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.