First Scout to Achieve New STEM Supernova Award
Eugene Lim, the first Scout to earn the new Boy Scouts of America's Supernova Award in the Three Fires Council service area will be recognized at the Council Annual Board meeting on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at the Hotel Arista located in Naperville.
Eugene Lim is a 3rd Grader from Hilltop Elementary School in Elgin. His 3rd Grade teacher is Mrs. Missy Ross. His favorite subjects in and out of school, are science and technology. He has gained acceptance into the U-46 School District's Gifted and Talented Program and will be attending Sycamore Trails Elementary School in Bartlett next year.
Eugene is a Bear Cub Scout and has been a member of Pack 1855 in Elgin since 2010. His Den Leader is Mr. Jeff Naylor. He has achieved first place overall at the 2013 Chippewa/Shabbona Districts Pinewood Derby where 79 Cub Scouts from 20 units participated. He has previously qualified and participated in two previous District Pinewood Derbies with this being the first year he has been placed in the event.
With his passion for STEM and experience in the Pinewood Derby, Eugene has teamed up with fellow Bear Cub Scout, Graham Stocksdale, to complete a science project entitled “Built for Speed.” The science project, which was presented at the 2013 U-46 STEM Exposition, allowed him to learn and apply the scientific method to objectively confirm the hypothesis that a more aerodynamic Pinewood Derby car with weight placed toward the back would go faster.
In addition to the science project, Eugene has gained other knowledge from his pursuit of the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award. This included learning about Dr. Alvarez and three other scientists, career in biotechnology during his visit with the executive of a well-known seeds company, and the importance of math and science education from his teacher.
The BSA's NOVA and Supernova Awards program was developed to stimulate interest in STEM fields among youth members, with requirements and activities that make it fun to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while getting recognition for participation.
Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers [co-ed ages 14-20] can work on requirements for a wide range of awards.
There are two levels of involvement in this program that lead Scouts to earn the NOVA award and the Supernova award. The NOVA awards are presented for cumulative achievement of badges in each of the STEM areas. The Supernova award has more rigorous requirements than the NOVA awards and is designed to recognize more in-depth, advanced achievement in STEM-related activities.
Due to the intensity of the Supernova award, Scouts work with a Supernova Mentor to guide them through the process. The Supernova requires earning 3 of the 4 possible NOVA awards, as well as performing research, preparation, set-up, coordination and organization of a high-level STEM activity or experiment, followed by analysis and reflection, and culminating a report that demonstrates superior effort and understanding of the technical topic.
“The program was launched in January of 2013 to bring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to life for young people,” said Matt Ackerman, Scout Executive for the council. “The hope is that this application of fun with a purpose will inspire them and encourage them to pursue meaningful careers in STEM fields.”
About the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America:
The Three Fires Council serves over 25,931 youth throughout Kane, DuPage, Kendall, DeKalb, and parts of Will and Cook counties. Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For more information please visit www.ThreeFiresCouncil.org.