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STEM Events
Workshops & Activities
CUB SCOUT ADVENTURE WORKSHOPS
Check back soon for updates!
SCOUTS BSA BADGE WORKSHOPS
Ameren Energy Camp - September / Solar farm fun, camping, and 3 badges! Look for this return in 2025!
Ameren E&E Day! Engineering and Electronics merit badges - Saturday, October 26, 9-Noon Register here
Merit Badges by the St. Louis Aquarium - Multiple Dates Coming up soon! Register here
St. Louis Community College - Workforce Center merit badge workshops - November 9
Composite Materials, Electricity, and Welding - Register here
Scouts BSA Drone Experience Brought to You By Seiler More Dates Coming Soon
Schneider Electric Merit Badges Workshop More Dates Coming Soon
Craftsmen Inc. Art & Graphic Arts Merit Badges Workshop More Dates Coming Soon
EINSTEIN RECOGNITION DINNER
2024 Einstein Recognition Dinner
Friday evening, November 22nd
Ameren Corporate Headquarters
This event is our 10th opportunity to honor our local Scouts' accomplishments for obtaining a Supernova Award or multiple awards and to recognize our STEM volunteers and sponsors. Supernova Recipients in attendance will receive a token of appreciation from the Greater St. Louis Area Council.
Thanks to the generosity of the Great Rivers Confluence Foundation, our key sponsor, the event is free for Supernova Award Recipients and one adult per family. Thanks also to the generosity of Mark Fronmuller, Karen Vangyia, and Ron & Teresa Colletti.
Seating is limited, but additional seats can be purchased for guests of the recipient and all other event attendees.
Supernova recipients need to turn in award applications by October 31.
Scoutbotics
October 19th at Saint Louis University
Cub Scout Coding Workshop (Ages 7-11)
$35 for a morning of introductory coding and a chance to learn about robotics and computers.
With mentoring from a high school robotics team, Cub Scouts will break into teams to build a three-wheeled robot using TETRIX Prime (a metal robot building system), wire it with motors, sensors and a Micro:bit brain, and then program the Micro:bit brain to drive autonomously and by remote control from another Micro:bit. Each Scout will receive a Micro:bit kit to take home, and the programming skills they learn can be used to make many more things with the Micro:bit micro-controller. A roster will be sent out in advance to help with leadership and carpooling. Only 45 spots!
Scouts BSA Robotics Workshop (Ages 11-17), $60 for a day of coding, building, and competition. Attendees will learn about robotics, build and program their own Shadow Line-Tracing robot and then compete against other Scouts. Scouts will earn the robotics merit badge at this event. Scouts who already have Robotics merit badge can still attend. All Scouts will take their robot home with them to continue exploring robotics. Lunch is not provided, Scouts should bring their own.
If able, Scouts should bring 6 extra AA batteries for the competition.
Scouts need to be in the care of a responsible adult while on campus.
Only 40 spots available so sign up soon! Plaques given to the top 3 winners and an event t-shirt to all Scouts. See ya there!
STEM Universities -- Choose from 5 campuses!
What is STEM University?
STEM University is a full day event for Cub Scouts (Wolf, Bear, Webelos, & AOL) and Scouts BSA, focused on earning STEM-based advancements and NOVA awards.
Scouts will get to visit a University, work with STEM experts, and participate in fun, hands-on educational activities. See below for locations and dates.
Upcoming Events - registration links will be coming!
STEM U UMSL - December 7, 2024
Cub Scout College enroll here
Scouts BSA College enroll here
Staff
STEM U SEMO - January 4, 2025
STEM U SIUE - January 25, 2025
STEM U SIUC - February 22, 2025
STEM College - Lake Land College - March 29, 2025
Summer Programs
STEM on CAMPus
Look for Registration links coming in February.
EIU June 2-5 Register Here
SEMO June 2-5 Register Here
UMSL June 5-8 Register Here
STEM on CAMPus Highlights
STEM on CAMPus is a unique “camp” experience where Scouts BSA get a taste for college life! Sleep in the dorms, eat in the dining halls, and have fun each evening with a variety of activities including campus rec center nights! Scouts have the opportunity to earn up to 6 Merit Badges or NOVAs at each camp. Sign up for two camps and save!
STEM & Skilled Trades
Scouts BSA Summer Camp
Camp May - Beaumont Scout Reservation
July 14-20, 2024
STEM & Skilled Trades Camp Highlights
This camp is an extraordinary experience for Scouts full of many STEM based merit badges, new Skilled Trades merit badge track, and over-the-top activities. Scouts will attend one merit badge (over to 60 to choose from!) or one NOVA activity class each day and may have the opportunity to work on other badges in the evening. Afternoon and evenings will include other fun STEM programs and exhibits to experience (drones, 3D printing, things that go boom... you get the idea). If you want more in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and Skilled Trades, this is the week to be out at camp! Registration is OPEN.
Cub Scout CAMP NOVA!
Cub World - Beaumont Scout Reservation
July 15-18, 2024
CAMP NOVA! Highlights
Formerly known and 'STEM Twilight Camp', Camp NOVA is for an evening camp program for Wolves, Bears, Webelos, and AOL Scouts. Four fun nights of STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for our Cub Scouts to enjoy at Cub World!
Non-Scout siblings are welcome also! They need to be Cub Scout age (entering second grade in the Fall on up).
Registration will open late January.
Mobile STEM Labs
The Greater St. Louis Area Council proudly offers our cutting-edge STEM Fleet, featuring three state-of-the-art Mobile STEM Labs! These innovative vehicles are available across our entire council footprint, bringing the excitement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics directly to your camp, unit meeting, or special event. Our STEM Fleet is designed to make hands-on learning accessible and engaging for youth of all ages, ensuring every event is a memorable and educational adventure.
Learn More
STEM Resources
Learn About Nova - S.T.E.M. based awards
- National Nova Program – Familiarize yourself with the BSA NOVA program and find all the newest updates.
- STEM STAR Patch - New to GSLAC Scouts. Earn this patch by going down the STEM trail while earning other core BSA advancements. Can you be a star in STEM, absolutely. The application is now available - apply HERE! Thanks to Daugherty Business Solutions as our patch sponsor!
- Nova Unit Guides – Need some help bringing STEM to your Unit? The National STEM Committee developed STEM Unit Guides for Cub Scouts and for Scouts BSA.
- STEM merch can be found at Gateway Traders.
Nova Helpful Links
STEM Explorations
Introducing STEM Explorations: an exciting new awards program designed for scouts eager to delve into the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Our catalog is expanding rapidly, featuring thrilling adventures like our Drone STEM Exploration, with many more innovative experiences on the horizon. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery and curiosity, empowering scouts to explore the limitless possibilities of STEM!
Learn more about the Drone Exploration here!
Volunteer Opportunities
- Unit STEM Coordinator
- Take the lead on bringing STEM to your Unit by becoming knowledgeable about the NOVA program and STEM opportunities. Download here.
USC patch sold at Gateway Traders
- Take the lead on bringing STEM to your Unit by becoming knowledgeable about the NOVA program and STEM opportunities. Download here.
- NOVA Counselor
- Train to become a NOVA Counselor, and help your Scouts earn their NOVA awards (STEM expertise not required!). Use an adult application with position code 58 to register. Learn more here.
- Supernova Mentor
- Train to become a Supernova Mentor, and help area Scouts earn our most prestigious STEM awards (STEM expertise preferred). Use an adult application with position code 52 and a Supernova Mentor application to register.**
- Council STEM Committee
- Join our committee of Scouters who are passionate about STEM, and help us plan & implement STEM Universities, STEM Camps, the Einstein Recognition Dinner, and other fun events. Contact Logan to join!
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Karen Vangyia | STEM Chair |
| Doug Stewart | Venturing Initiatives Chair |
| Sophia Bright | Scouts BSA Initiatives Chair |
| Vacant | Finance Chair |
| Kevin Tucker | Cub Scout Initiatives Chair |
| Ron Colletti | Training Chair |
| Michele Elkins | Outreach Chair |
| Sherry Watson | Marketing Chair |
| Lisa Balbes | Committee Vice Chair |
| Kevin McMeel | Committee Lab Chair |
| Steve Masaki | Committee Vice Chair |
| Eric Voss | Committee Vice Chair |
- District STEM Chairs
- Help us promote the STEM Nova program in your District. Provide guidance to Nova Counselors/Supernova Mentors and promote STEM events.
| Name | District |
|---|---|
| Sophia Bright | Boone Trails |
| Alan Kreppert | North Star |
| Wesley Calvert | Egyptian |
| Michele Wissmann | Osage |
| Frank Masterson | Cherokee |
| Vacant | Ozark Trailblazers |
| Paul Winter | Keystone |
| Steve Masaki | Pathfinder |
| Jerry Fix | Gravois Trail |
| Melissa Trost | River Trails |
| Vacant | Big Muddy |
| Kevin McMeel | Shawnee |
| Lisa Balbes and Theresa Colletti | New Horizons |
| Vacant | Piasa Bird |
| Cassie Clark | Black Gold |
| Kevin Tucker | Cahokia Mounds |
| Christie Brace | Kaskaskia |
| Doug Stewart | Soaring Eagle |
| Vacant | Illini |
| Amy Kopf | Sioux |
STEM Program Annual Reports
Thanks to our Sponsors!
World Wide Technology
Great Rivers Confluence Foundation
Bill Bailey
Spire
UMSL
ICL
John Allan Love Foundation
Craftsmen Industries
SEMO
Dr. George Washington Carver Sponsor – $1,000-$3,999
Daugherty Business Solutions
SIUE
SIUC
Lake Land College
Karen Vangyia
Ron & Teresa Colletti