Nova Award Patch

Thomas Edison Silver Supernova Award
for Scouts BSA


The Requirements were ISSUEED effective in 2012,
and the wording was modified slightly in 2019.
The list of merit badges approved for use in earning the Supernova awards was REVISED in 2015.


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.


  1. Earn the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award.
  2. 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.)
  3. 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.)
  4. 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.)
  5. 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.)
  6. 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.)
  7. 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.
  8. 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/

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: June 15, 2019



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