At the September Boy Scout roundtable, we discussed ideas for integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) into our troop programs. The outline for our discussion came from the 2015-2016 Roundtable Planning Guide and is attached below for convenience. We also introduced the NOVA and SUPERNOVA awards which interested boys may pursue.
The program feature of the month was Science–a good follow on to the interest topic of STEM! We shared ideas for activities and outings that relate to science. Some examples were the marshmallow challenge (build a free standing tower out of marshmallows and toothpicks or spaghetti), tour a science museum, camp near a big city like New York or Washington D.C. and tour one or more of the fantastic science/technology museums there. In our area, engineers are “a dime a dozen” (I thought I was worth more 😉 ), so look to the families in your troop to see what resources may be available to you through them or their employers. Use the Troop Resource Survey (aka Family Talent Survey in Cub Scouts) to learn what these resources are within your troop families.
Feel free to add any other thoughts and ideas from our September roundtable meeting in the comments section. And remember to bring a friend!
