Virginia Beach, Va. – Three Cub Scouts from Pack 374 in Virginia Beach each earned their second STEM Supernova Award from the Boy Scouts of America.

STEM is part of an initiative the Boy Scouts of America has taken on to encourage the natural curiosity of youth members and their sense of wonder about these fields through existing programs. From archery to welding, Scouts cannot help but enjoy the wide range of STEM-related activities. To support this initiative, the BSA developed the STEM Nova Awards program so youth members have fun and receive recognition for their efforts.

The Supernova is one of the highest awards in Scouting. It focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and must be earned by an individual Scout collaborating closely with a trained mentor. The Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova is available for second and third graders, while fourth and fifth graders earn the Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova.

The three boys scouted together for five years, four years under the leadership of den leader Leslie Williams, the mother of Supernova Scout Dylan Williams. Williams, and his fellow Supernova Scouts, James Lamp and Isaac Staley, earned the first (Alvarez) Supernova as Bears (third-grade rank). Staley was the first to achieve his second Supernova and was excited to start wearing either the medals or the Supernova pins on his uniform right away.

When asked about earning their second Supernova award, Isaac Staley said, “I feel like I’ve accomplished a big thing!” (Isaac’s older brother, Samuel Staley, earned the first Supernova in Pack 374’s history.)

Lamp agreed, “I feel happy and proud. I feel excited to have them.”

Williams added, “Doing the experiments was fun.”

Scouts need help to do this work. The boys’ families, teachers, Scout leaders, and community members were vital in helping them earn this award. The Scouts’ parents supported them through the pandemic, navigating Zoom meetings and supervising Scouts’ online research or bringing them to Scouting and community events, like the Scout Day at Nauticus.

Staley’s mother, Darcy Staley, is the Princess Anne District’s Supernova Mentor and has worked with fourteen girls and boys in the Cub Scout family Scouting program over the last two-plus years. Staley had an excellent example in her mother, MaryAnn Hayward, who was a Girl Scout Assistant Leader.

She said, “My Mom volunteered with everything I was interested in. I saw how much she put into making different experiences available to me through her willingness to help. Scouting has something fun for everyone. But it needs parents and community members who share their interests and expertise to help the Scouts grow and allow them to try new things.

“I was always going to volunteer with Scouts,” Staley continued. “I have a technical background, love science, and have two boys at home spending too much time on screens. When I learned about the Supernova program, I encouraged the boys to go for it.” She is currently mentoring four more third graders (Bear rank).