The following merit badges are approved for use in earning the Scouts BSA Supernova awards:
| Animal Science | Environmental Science | Plant Science |
| Archaeology | Farm Mechanics | Programming |
| Architecture | Fish and Wildlife Management | Pulp and Paper |
| Astronomy | Forestry | Radio |
| Automotive Maintenance | Game Design | Reptile and Amphibian Study |
| Aviation | Gardening | Robotics |
| Bird Study | Geocaching | Scuba Diving |
| Chemistry | Geology | Signs, Signals, and Codes |
| Composite Materials | Insect Study | Soil and Water Conservation |
| Dentistry | Inventing | Space Exploration |
| Digital Technology | Mammal Study | Surveying |
| Drafting | Medicine | Sustainability |
| Electricity | Mining in Society | Veterinary Medicine |
| Electronics | Nature | Weather |
| Energy | Nuclear Science | Welding |
| Engineering | Oceanography |
Second-Level Supernova Award for Scouts BSA.
- Earn the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award.
- Complete ONE additional Scouts BSA Nova award for a total of four. (Note: This may be done at any time after becoming a member of Scouts BSA.)
- Earn FOUR additional Supernova-approved merit badges from the list provided,
other than the four earned while working on the Harris Supernova Award for a total of eight. (Note: These may be earned at any time after becoming a Scout.) - Complete TWO additional Supernova activity topics, one each in the two
STEM areas NOT completed for the Harris Supernova Award.
(Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Edison Supernova Award the Scout will have completed one Supernova activity topic in each of the four STEM areas.) - Participate in a local, state, or national science fair or mathematics
competition OR any other equally challenging STEM-oriented competition or
workshop approved by your mentor. An example of this would be an X-Prize
type competition.
(Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Edison Supernova Award, the Scout will have participated in two such events.) - Working with your mentor, organize and present a Nova award or other
STEM-related program to a Cub Scout den or pack meeting.
Be sure to receive approval from the appropriate unit leader.
If a Cub Scout den or pack is not available, your presentation may be given
to another youth group, such as your troop or at your place of worship.
(Note: The intent is that upon completion of the Edison Supernova Award the Scout will have completed two such presentations.) - Research a scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematical breakthrough
or invention of the past 100 years that has affected our society in a meaningful
way and present your hypothesis on how it might further affect our society
during your lifetime.
Present either a 30-minute oral report or a 1,500-word written report to your mentor. - Submit an application to the district or council Nova or advancement committee for approval.
The requirements for and further information about
this award may be found in the current edition of the
Scouts BSA Nova Awards Guidebook (BSA Publication No. 34033)
or online at
https://www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/awards/scouts-bsa-supernova-awards/
