Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award for Wolves and Bears

Two children doing a science project and an image of the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award emblem.

The Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award can be earned by Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts who want to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Helps for the Requirements

What Is a Supernova Award?

The Supernova Awards recognize Scouts who delve deeply in to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities as part of their Scouting experience.

How Do You Get the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award?

To earn this award, Scouts must complete the Code of the Wolf or Make it Move adventure. Then they do some activities to keep track of time or money. They also study probability and learn about careers in STEM fields. They also use the Call of the Wild or Forensics adventures to fulfill some of the requirements for this award.

Although it is not a requirement, it is recommended that you earn at least two Nova awards for Cub Scouts before earning the Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award.

Explore the world of science and technology further with the helps for these requirements below

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 1: Adventure and Log

Code of the Wolf Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

Code of the Wolf

Wolf Cub Scouts learn about numbers, measuring, shapes, and math for the Code of the Wolf adventure. They also get to try sending a message using code.

Bear make it move Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

Make It Move

Note: BSA is retiring this adventure on May 31, 2022.

Bear Cub Scouts learn about forces and movement while working on the Make It Move adventure. The investigate how simple machines like pulleys and levers work.

Cubs in the Kitchen

Easy Recipes for Cub Scouts

Cub Scouts love to cook. Helping to prepare a healthy and fun snack or meal promotes independence. And it might also encourage a Cub Scout to try something new.

So you can find and idea for an easy recipe for Cub Scouts here.

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 2: Adventure and Experience

Requirement 2 Helps and Answers

Call of the Wild

Forensics

Wolf Call of the Wild Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

Call of the Wild

For the Call of the Wild adventure, Wolf Cub Scouts go camping, learn some Scout skills, think about being prepared for outdoor adventure, and learn about Leave No Trace.

Bear Forensics Adventure Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

Forensics

For the Bear Forensics adventure, Cub Scouts learn about law enforcement methods which are used to solve crimes. Bears will learn how to fingerprint. They also explore chromatography, analysis, and other crime-solving techniques.

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 3: Learn about Dr. Alvarez

What very important award did Dr. Alvarez earn?

Dr. Alvarez was an American physicist, inventor, and professor who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1968 for development of the hydrogen bubble chamber enabling discovery of resonance states in particle physics.

Read more.

What was Dr. Alvarez’s famous theory about dinosaurs?

The Alvarez hypothesis says that the mass extinction of dinosaurs and many other living things during the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event was caused by the impact of a large asteroid on the Earth.

Read more

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 4: Learn about Other Scientists

Requirement 4 Helps and Answers

Some Scientists to Learn About

Some Scientists to Learn About

  • Archimedes
  • Leonardo da Vinci
  • Copernicus
  • Galileo
  • Isaac Newton
  • George Washington Carver

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 5: Why Are Math and Science Important?

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 6: Science Project

Requirement 6 Helps and Answers

Science Projects and Experiments

Science Projects and Experiments

  • Storm In A Glass: Model A Rainstorm In A Glass
  • Snow Globe: Craft a Decoration using Viscosity
  • Jello Lenses: Glasses Formed of Jello
  • Dancing Hearts
  • Fizzy Fruit
  • Paper Hovercrafts
  • Balloon Pop!
  • and more….

See more information

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 7: STEM Careers

Requirement 7 Helps and Answers

Some STEM Careers

Some STEM Careers

  • Software Developer
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Marine Biologist
  • Nurse
  • Veterinarian
  • Robotics Engineer
  • Statistician
  • Physical Therapist

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 8: The Scientific Method

Requirement 8 Helps and Answers

A Simple Explanation of the Scientific Method

A Simple Explanation of the Scientific Method

If you don’t have a background in science, helping your Cub Scout out with this might seem a little intimidating. But the scientific method is really very basic and only involves a few simple concepts. Read more.

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 9: STEM Activity

Requirement 9 Helps and Answers

Find Scouts BSA or Venturers Near You

Find Scouts BSA or Venturers Near You

You can use the Be A Scout website to locate troops and crews near you to help with this requirement.

Dr. Luis W. Alvarez Supernova Award Requirement 10: Application

Requirement 10 Helps and Answers

Supernova Award Application