Cub Scouts earn science, technology award

COEUR d'ALENE - Three Coeur d'Alene Cub Scouts received the Boy Scouts of America's highest science and technology award at a ceremony May 27 in the Coeur d'Alene City Park.

Bobby Dorame and Brennan Koneval of Pack 226 and Teddy Winton of Pack 210, all age 9, were presented the Dr. Luis Alvarez Supernova Award, which is the highest STEM award achievable by a Scout. They were the first Cub Scouts to receive the award in the Inland Northwest Council.

The Boy Scouts of America's Nova Award program incorporates learning with activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering and math for each of the four levels of Scouting: Cub Scouts, Webelo Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers.

The requirements and activities for earning these awards help stimulate an interest in STEM-related fields and show how these fields apply to everyday life.

The Cub Scout Supernova Award is named the Dr. Luis Alvarez award after the 1968 Nobel Prize winner in physics who was responsible for three important radar systems as well as the design and construction of the Berkeley proton linear accelerator.

To earn the award, the boys had to earn the science or math activity pins plus three other STEM-related pins, research four famous scientists including Alvarez, complete a science project and learn about STEM careers.

"Over the last few years, the Boy Scouts of America has incorporated STEM into the program in a big way. Some of the new merit badges include robotics, computer programming, nuclear science and game design," said Scott Broder of Coeur d'Alene. Broder is a local BSA STEM coordinator and volunteer leader of Troop 201.

"It's all about inspiring our kids to study the basic sciences and engineering," he said.

The Inland Northwest Council serves 10,000 youth in the Idaho Panhandle and eastern Washington with youth development programs that prepare youth for success in life.