STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The precepts are simple. Everything we do is apt to involve one of those 4 fields. Take cooking for an example. You use math to measure your ingredients. You use science to adjust the heat to the proper level. It takes science to grow your vegetables.
All of that to say this. The US is recently poor in those fields. The Cub and Boy Scouts have rolled out the NOVA Awards for STEM related activities to try and remedy that. I am a mechanical engineer for the US Navy. Our other Cub Leader is a Civil Engineer for the US Navy. To say that we have a firm grasp of STEM would be a colossal understatement.
We have decided to try and get the boys at least one NOVA award this year, in addition to their regular Cub Scout stuff. Pocket Monkey has decided he wants to be a military machine gunner when he grows up. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him that military shooting involves science and math. I am fired up.
We have decided, based on the boys’ input, that this will be an awesome chance to introduce them to STEM and the associated concepts such as the scientific method. When we began our Den scrapbook, every boy expressed interest in a science related field. When we asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up, we got answers ranging from firefighter and builder to teacher.
The takeaway is that most activities involve STEM. The trick is to present it in an interesting and relevant manner. As a hunter, I like the Map and Compass and Wildlife Conservation fields. As a pipefitter, I like the Math field. There are many more fields of study that match my other interests.
My challenge to you is to mentor a young person in STEM. If you are involved in one of those fields, pick a young person and teach them your part of that. The US invented the light bulb and the telephone, among many other great inventions. We can be a great and innovative nation again. It just takes engagement and leadership. I shall keep you posted on our progress and associated shenanigans.
That is all. Fall out and carry out the plan of the day.