Nova Award Patch

Tech Talk Nova Award
for Cub and Webelos Scouts


This award may be earned by Bear and Wolf Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts (including those earning or having earned the Arrow of Light).
Lion and Tiger Cub Scouts are not eligible for the Nova Awards.


Note that Cub Scouts working on the Nova awards or one of the Supernova awards in 2017 had two options:

Complete the award no later than December 31, 2017, using the previous requirements.
or
Complete the award using the new requirements shown below.


To see the requirements, with the changes highlighted, Click here.

For the previous requirements, Click here.

For the original requirements, Click here.


Tech Talk icon

This module is designed to help you explore how technology affects your life each day.

    1. Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements.
      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.

          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.

      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.

          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.

      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.
    2. Complete ONE adventure from the following list for your current rank or complete option A or B. (Choose an Adventure you have not already earned.) Discuss with your counselor what kind of science, technology, engineering, and math was used in the adventure or option.
        Wolf Cub Scouts Bear Cub Scouts Webelos Scouts
        Finding Your Way Make It Move Build It
        Motor Away Forensics Fix It
            Movie Making
      Option A: Complete all of the following:
      1. Explain these parts of a personal computer: central processing unit (CPU), monitor, keyboard, mouse, modem, and printer.
      2. Make a list of ten devices that can be found in a home that use a computer chip to function.
      3. Use a spreadsheet program to organize some information
      Option B: Complete all of the following:
      1. Point out the major features of a camera to your den or family and explain the function of each part. Parts COULD include memory card, lens, shutter, power on and off, zoom, battery, flash, display panel, case, settings, etc.
      2. Discuss with your leader or adult partner the benefits and contributions photography makes to modern life.
      3. Use a camera to take at least 10 pictures of your family, pet, scenery; show these to your den.
    3. Explore EACH of the following:
      1. Look up a definition of the word technology and discuss the meaning with your counselor.
      2. Find out how technology is used in EACH of the following fields:
        1. Communication
        2. Business
        3. Construction
        4. Sports
        5. Entertainment
      3. Discuss your findings with your counselor.
    4. 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.
    5. Discuss with your counselor how technology affects your everyday life.

The requirements for and further information about this award may be found in the current edition of the
Cub Scout Nova Awards Guidebook (BSA Publication No. 34032)

Worksheets for use in working on these requirements: Format
Word Format PDF Format

Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.


Source: https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/awards/


Page updated on: March 16, 2019



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