Scouting Programs

STEM Scouts Info Session

August 11, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

Do you have a burgeoning engineer or scientist growing up in your house? Have you ever caught your kid taking apart the TV to “see how it works?” Does your carpet bear the marks of past chemistry experiments?

We have an outlet for that STEM energy: STEM Scouts!

Find out more:

Join us for a presentation and Q&A about STEM Scouts on August 22, 2020! Register here!

Hear about the program from experienced STEM Scouts Lab Managers
Meet the STEM Scouts team and ask questions!
[Network with other prospective STEM Scouts leaders and families in an optional break-out session!

STEM Program

STEM Scouts is a BSA program originally developed out of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Just as Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA teach the Scout Oath and Scout Law in an outdoor setting, STEM Scouts teach those same values in a STEM-based setting. Youth interested in STEM topics are engaged with hands-on lab activities designed by a team of STEM experts, while volunteer leaders show applications of the lessons of the Oath and Law as they work together.

Each year, educators design and vet curriculum and activities, the materials of which are shipped to the youth. Meeting planning is done for you within the curriculum, and leaders need only bring enthusiasm!

Who is it for?

The activities and curriculum are designed for girls and boys in grades 3-8, with activities for each division (elementary school and middle school). This is a fantastic program for anyone who enjoys hands-on activities and wants to be prepared for a future of STEM literacy!

Covid-19 Adaptation

This year, BSA’s curriculum anticipated the need for flexibility in meeting formats. Meetings may need to change from in-person to virtual as local public health conditions change. BSA re-engineered lab materials to allow for virtual delivery by packaging them into kits for individual Scouts. This means that no matter whether you choose to meet together or virtually, all the supplies will be available to all Scouts.

Modules Overview

When you sign up for STEM Scouts, you sign up for 5 modules this year, each with 4 activity meetings. That’s 20 sessions! This year’s modules include:

Junior Lab (elementary school youth):

Anatomy
Animation (by WozEd)
Magnetism
Earth Science
Astronomy

Technology Lab (middle school youth):

Film/TV
Mobile App
Animation (by WozEd)
SnapCircuits
Simple Machines

Read the detailed descriptions in the attachment to the right. And join us on Aug 1 to learn more!

Learn More:

Visit: www.stemscouts.org

Can’t make it, but interested? Send us a note: stem@ncacbsa.org

Registration ends on July 31st!

Cub-A-Day Program Week 9 (August 3-8)

August 2, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

MONDAY

It’s Make Something Monday

Do a shadow drawing – Use some Scouting related items, toys, or other household objects. You can even make this a Nova experiment by talking with a counselor!

Even more fun? Invite a pack-mate or a friend who isn’t a Scout yet to do a drawing as well and have a Zoom Art Show. Please post photos of your shadow drawings for us to see here!

You can find an example experiment here: https://www.rookieparenting.com/shadow-drawing/

TUESDAY

It’s Taste Something Tuesday!
Today is the day so many of us have been waiting for – National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!!!This one is easy: Make or buy some chocolate chip cookies and share them with your family. Don’t forget the milk!

WEDNESDAY

It’s Wander Around Wednesday!
Take a hike or walk and count how many out of state license plates you see. Pick one of the states you saw and learn about a state park OR a national park in that state.

THURSDAY

It’s Do Something Thoughtful Thursday!

Learn the American Sign Language signs for at least 4 points of the Scout Law. This video shows the whole Scout Law at speed and then slower to help follow along https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Tr8g0Nrq4

Wolves get credit for Cubs Who Care Requirement #6 by completing this activity!

Webelos/AOL Challenge: Use this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdt_4f1Tcs0to learn the Scout Oath to complete Aware and Care Requirement #4e

FRIDAY

It’s Family Fun Friday!

Go through family photos of the summer so far. Pick out your favorite and share with your family why it’s your favorite. If you get really creative, you can make a frame for the photo or even start a scrapbook based on your summer adventures!

If it’s a scouting adventure, be sure to post it here! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/ncac.cubscouts/

It’s Safety Saturday!

Pick a requirement from the Emergency Preparedness Award with your Family and work on it today.

Requirements are here for each rank: https://www.scouting.org/awards/awards-central/emergency-preparedness/

Adventure Talks Recap; Looking Ahead

July 28, 2020 by John Blackwell

This month, NCAC kicked off a webinar series called Adventure Talks. Adventure Talks are a webinar series to bring the illustrious and exciting adventures that Scouts take to you! Scouts have explored the deep ocean, the corners of the earth, and space. This series of talks features presentations and panels about Philmont, the Appalachian Trail, research in Antarctica, biking across the USA, Scouting Jamborees, and more.

The first three talks included a Philmont Panel, a NESA World Explorer sharing his experience at the Biodiversity Station in Ecuador, and a Thru-Hiker’s Tales of the Appalachian Trail.

Today, July 28, we revisit Philmont, with new panelists and another perspective. Tune in as Danielle Ballantine, John Blackwell, Patricia Wrath and Toni Welch share their experiences of the Philmont Training Center, Family Adventures, PLC and Philmont Ambassdors!

Have a burning question or a topic you wish to see addressed? Let us know ahead of time in the sign up. OR ask the panelists directly during Q&A in the ZOOM session. To get the link to join the ZOOM, please sign up (free) here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks

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Recap of July Adventure Talks

July 7: Philmont Panel: The Philmont Fires, the Welcome Center, the highest peaks and longest treks.

The panelists include Tom Giugni, Jay Oakman, Sam McGrath and Arden Dougan. Our Moderator is Julia Mae-Shen Lesko.

Our panelists have been Philmont Ambassadors, Scouting U Faculty, Rangers and participants – we aim to offer you a glimpse of each role and how you can participate too!

July 14: An Eagle’s Guide to the Rainforest

Evan Dunn, NESA World Explorer, will share his experience at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador.

Dr. Michael Manyak, distinguished Eagle Scout and founder of the NESA World Explorer program also shares and intro about the program!

July 21: Tales from the Trail

Approximately 2,000 people attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail each year. Only about 10% (150-200) of the hikers who start make it the whole way from Georgia to Maine. Join long distance hiker and biker Pete Lane for a first hand account of how he made the journey.

July 28: Philmont Talks II

There’s so much to cover with Philmont, we have Part II! Our panelists include Danielle Ballantine, John Blackwell, Pat Wrath and Toni Welch. Topics include: PTC, Family Adventure, PLC and Philmont Ambassdors! Have a burning question? Let us know ahead of time in the sign up or ask the panelists directly during Q&A.

To get the link to join the ZOOM, please sign up (free) here: https://scoutingevent.com/082-adventureTalks

New Date for NCAC’s Second All-Council Campfire – Aug. 29th!

July 23, 2020 by The Scouter Digest Staff

Save the Date for NCAC’s second all-council Campfire on August 29th! And wait for it……. it’s Sing-a-long style. Yep, tha’s right. The Order of the Arrow will host and provide the words for you to sing with us! We expect we’ll all be in our own key and probably off a little in time, but who cares? We’re singing.

Special guest from Golden Gate Area Council, Mike Fujimoto – get a kazoo and sing “Scouting Thunder” with Fuji and friends! And of course, we can’t forget old favorites like Dum Dum Da Da and the Philmont Hymn. More details to come!

STEMaTHON | The Great Scouting Invitational

July 23, 2020 by NCAC STEM

STEMaTHON is a 2 day virtual event hosted by the National Capital Area Council’s STEM Commitee, which aims to encourage exploration of STEM interests, future career opportunities and hobbies.

Join us from September 5-6, 2020 for a STEMaTHON: Scouts Building Bridges and Feeding the World through the lens and tools of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This two day event includes online workshops, keynotes, tours, presentations and even activities!

The scheduled events are below, but there are also activities you can do in advance to be featured in the STEMaTHON:

– Build a bridge in the STEMaTHON Engineering Bridge competition! When you register for the competition, we will mail you the kits. You are also invited to attend the Engineering Merit Badge STEMaTHON sessions to earn your Engineering Merit Badge. Be sure to check out the attachment on this webpage for more on the competition.

– Design and execute Rube Goldberg Machine that rolls a can of food a distance of at least 1 foot, film your creation and send the video in to our channel! Details attached in the webpage.

Scheduled Events:

Saturday: Building Bridges

10AM : Welcome Keynote

11AM : STEM Careers Conference

Professional Engineer, Mr. Paul MacDonald, Career Talk & Q&A

12PM : Lunch Hour Programming

1PM : Bridges to the Point of Destruction | Live Competition

3PM : Inventions Showcase

3:30 PM : Supernova & Nova Kickoff!

Sessions for Cub Scouts & Scouts BSA on how to get started with the Nova & Supernova Awards

5PM : STEM Scouts | Season 6 Kickoff

6:30 PM: STEM Innovator Moment

Rockets & Airplanes, 30 years at NASA with Mr. Tony Springer & Q&A

8PM: Astronomy Activity

Sunday: Feeding the World

10AM : UMD, AGNR Keynotes

Dean Dr. Beyrouty, Chair Dr. Bowerman, Professor Dr. Ellis
Food Security & Food Safety, Green Infrastructure & Water Quality Treatment

11AM: 4H Water Quality & Community Service

11:45PM : Engineers Without Borders | Water around the World

12:30PM : Food (In)Security and Sustainable Development

1:00PM : Einstein’s Science Fair

with NCAC Einstein Supernova recipient William Cather

2PM : Feeding The World: Rube Goldberg Machines

3PM : Bees and Honey

4PM : STEM Awards & Closing

Will you build a bridge?

July 23, 2020 by Stanley Fricke

Attention, all those who are up for a challenge…

The Great STEMaTHON Invitational includes a bridge building competition that will be showcased live online, on Saturday, September 5, 2020. Will you build a bridge?

Everyone will receive the same set of materials upon registration, and have 16 days to build their bridges! You can see the full set of materials and how the bridges will be measured (or weighted, rather!) in this PDF: BridgeCompetition.

Scouts are also invited to pre-STEMaTHON sessions to help you earn the Engineering Merit Badge. Sessions will be held on August 4, 5, 17 and 18. Of course, by participating in this bridge competition, you will already earn requirement 6!

Be sure to join us for the whole event: September 5-6, 2020 for a STEMaTHON in which you will be part of Scouts Building Bridges and Feeding the World through the lens and tools of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This two day event includes online workshops, keynotes, tours, presentations and even activities!