CURRICULUM GUIDE

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 1 8/10/15 10:41 AM

 SCOUT OATH

On my honor, I will do my best To do my

duty to God and my Country and to obey the
Scout Law; To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally
awake, and morally straight.

SCOUT LAW

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful,

friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful,
thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 2-3 8/10/15 10:41 AM

 SHAPE. TINKER. EXPLORE. MAKE.
THAT’S WHAT STEM SCOUTS DO
AS THEY OPEN THEIR EYES TO THE
WONDERS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS.
STEM Scouts is a national pilot program from the Boy
Scouts of America (BSA), focused on fun ways for girls and
boys, grades 3 - 12, to learn more about STEM subjects.
Hands-on activities and interaction with STEM professionals
stir up Scouts’ interest in the world around them.

Weekly meetings and monthly field trips use the Scouts’

natural curiosity to help build interest in STEM-related
subjects and careers. Scouts rotate through different roles
GROW NEW SKILLS
within the group to learn leadership and cooperation.
STEM Labs are a chance to be creative; develop leadership,
problem-solving, teamwork and communications skills; and Incorporating the Scout Oath and Laws provides an
learn to think like a STEM professional. opportunity to teach character development as well as
STEM subjects.

LEARN BY DOING The curriculum, designed and vetted by STEM educators,

See how real companies use hands-on experiments, like unfolds in modules that each address a single topic, such as
those in STEM Labs, to invent new technologies, medicines
and ideas that change lives.
chemistry or gravity, over several meetings. Elementary Scouts
work through a series of four-week modules, while middle and
high school Scouts explore subjects in six-week modules.

PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE The depth and detail of information increases as Scouts
Mentors, research skills and the opportunity to
publish in a peer-reviewed journal increase chances
move from one age group to the next. When STEM
for college scholarships. Scouts reach high school, they have the opportunity to
work with mentors and even publish their work in a
peer-reviewed journal.
BUILD A CAREER
See how real people in real companies use experiments like In many areas, a mobile STEM Lab, the Vortex, provides
the ones you do in STEM Scouts to invent the future. opportunities for learning on the go.

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 4-5 8/10/15 10:41 AM

 MEETING STRUCTURE LESSON PLANS
STEM Scouts relies on Chartered Organizations, such as corporations, private schools, civic groups and
religious organizations and to provide support and volunteer leaders for STEM Scout Labs. The STEM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Scouts office provides direction and assistance in recruiting both adult volunteers and Scouts. The Scout
Council provides all of the materials and training needed for Lab leaders and volunteers.

Costs are $200 per year for students, $50 per year for adult registration and $40 per year for liability

SCOUT OATH AND LAW insurance for the Chartered Organization.

Discuss one of the 12 points of the Scout Law and how it applies to the Scouts’ activities that day.

Applying the Scout Oath and Law

With the leader’s guidance, the Scouts discuss a problem or ethical situation that occurred in
that day’s meeting and how they can apply the Oath and Law to dealing with everyday issues.

ACTIVITY NARRATIVE
The Lab Manager tells a story that sets the background information and lays out the challenge to be
addressed in that day’s Lab.

EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES
Step 1: State the Challenge
Scouts restate the challenge by writing it in their Lab books. They break into small groups
to work, and the Lab Manager assigns roles of Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, Project Manager
and Technicians, who perform the hands-on experiments.

The Manager reviews the Engaging Questions to start the Scouts thinking about the challenge
and how to solve it. For example:

How does a parachute work? Does a bigger parachute have more air resistance? Does the
amount of drag force affect how well the parachute works? Does string length make a
difference? Does shape matter?

Step 2: Design and Experiment

Scouts work together in small groups to design and plan. Scouts present drawings and plans for
the leader’s approval and, if approved, begin to build or prepare for their experiments.

Step 3: Test and Redesign

After testing their designs and conducting their experiments, Scouts record observations and
measurements in their Lab notebooks. LEADER GUIDE—The Scout
Council provides Leader
Guides that contain the
EVALUATION: Scouts review a set of discussion questions to evaluate their work and full curriculum, with goals,
decide whether they can make improvements. They can continue making improvements and objectives, background
retesting until they are satisfied with their solution. information, instructions and
questions for each lesson.

STEM INNOVATORS DISCUSSION LAB NOTEBOOK—STEM

The Lab Manager or youth talks to Scouts about an innovator in a STEM field to demonstrate to the youth Scouts receive their own Lab
that people of their same ethnic background, race, and socioeconomic status can become accomplished notebooks with information
STEM professionals. They discuss the person’s life and work. on each activity, equations,
pertinent questions and charts
and graphs for recording
observations.

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 6-7 8/10/15 10:41 AM

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 8-9 8/10/15 10:41 AM
 MODULE 1

CHAOS
This module is designed to provide non-thematic
activities that get Scouts excited about STEM. The
activities are quick, easy and, most importantly, FUN!

• Making Batteries
• Robo Arm Challenge
• Using the Stars to Tell Time
• Activities That Demonstrate Glow Properties

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MODULE 2

GRADES 3-5
CHEMISTRY
Elementary level STEM Scouts learn to be creative doing experiments in weekly Lab MANIA
meetings, take field trips and work with people in STEM careers. They try new things as
Explore chemical reactions. Find out what type of
they work with others, lead teams and communicate results. STEM Scouts explore exciting
soft drink creates the biggest explosion. Make your
STEM-related topics, each grouped into a four-week series of lessons.
own ice cream and learn how fat content changes the
taste. You will also learn a secret recipe that will brush
STEM Scout’s learning modules are designed and vetted by STEM educators and
an elephant’s teeth. How do you make hydrogen
professionals to be fun and age-appropriate. Hands-on activities help students learn
balloons that explode? Well, let’s find out!
the academic concepts behind the experiments. Elementary-age STEM Scouts have the
opportunity to earn participation awards for their weekly activities. • Exothermic Elephants and Volcanoes
• Exploring Ice Cream
While the specific curriculum may change from year to year and vary somewhat by council,
• Making Hydrogen Balloons
the following examples are typical of the modules available for each age group.
• Soda Geysers
• Imploding Can Lab Manager Demo

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 10-11 8/10/15 10:41 AM

 MODULE 3

MAD ABOUT MODULE 5

GRAVITY ROBOTICS
MINI CROSSBOW
How does gravity work? Learn how a parachute
slows down a falling egg. Create a real-life Angry
Birds™ game, participate in an egg drop challenge
and launch your own designed rocket.

• Designing a Parachute
• Egg Drop Challenge
• Designing Alka-Seltzer® Rockets
• Designing a Real Life Angry Birds™ Game

Try new things, lead MODULE 6

teams and communicate CREEPY CRAWLY FUN

results

GROW NEW SKILLS

MODULE 4
STEM Labs are a chance to be creative; develop leadership,

SQUISHY, GOOEY
MODULE 7

WHERE’S THE
problem-solving, teamwork and communications skills; and

ALKA SELTZER
learn to think like a STEM professional.

FUN! TREASURE
In this module, scouts will investigate how to make ROCKETS
bouncing balls and use different ratios of the same
materials to make different substances. Scouts will
also take a look at strawberry DNA and make an
American flag out of squishy circuits. Everything
ooey gooey!

• Sponge relay race, making slime, Gak and

bouncy balls
• Strawberry DNA extraction Hands-on activities,
• Making insulating and conductive dough
• Putting squishy circuits together
weekly meetings,
monthly field trips,
LEAF COLLECTION interaction with STEM
professionals

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 12-13 8/10/15 10:41 AM

 MODULE 1

CHAOS
Try a different STEM project every day. Learn
about different topics, such as smoke bombs,
electrical circuits, electromagnets, 3D modeling,
stop-motion animation.

• Bungee Jumping
• Curious Creatures
• Electromagnetic Challenge
• Flour Darts
• Stop Motion Animation
• Paintball Potion

MIDDLE SCHOOL MODULE 2

GRADES 6-8
CHEMISTRY
Middle school students dive deeper into STEM topics. They learn to be creative, work with MANIA
others and try new things, all while taking field trips and working with people in STEM
Explore chemical reactions—and make some
careers. STEM Scouts meet in weekly Labs to explore exciting STEM-related topics, each
explosions. What soft drink makes the biggest
grouped into six-week series of lessons called modules.
boom? Use chemistry to make your own ice cream.
Learn a secret recipe for brushing an elephant’s
STEM Scout’s learning modules are designed and vetted by STEM educators and
teeth. How do you make exploding hydrogen
professionals to be fun and age-appropriate. Hands-on activities help students learn
balloons? It’s time to find out!
the academic concepts behind the experiments. They can also earn participation and
achievement awards. • Exothermic Elephants and Volcanoes
• Exploring Ice Cream
While the specific curriculum may change from year to year and vary somewhat by council,
• Making Hydrogen Balloons
the following examples are typical of the modules available for each age group.
• Soda Geyser Reactions
• It’s a Gas!
• Investigating Spectra

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 14-15 8/10/15 10:41 AM

 MODULE 3 MODULE 5

HYDRO HYPE WHERE’S THE

Learn about hydraulics, how they work and the TREASURE SUSTAINABLE
different liquids used. With your team, design
and build a hydraulic arm. Race to see which team’s
PAPER
arm can pick up and move 20 soda cans the fastest.

• Design a Hydraulic Arm

• Build a Prototype
• Test and Redesign
• Communicate Results
• Competition

Earn electronic
badges for completing
VERTICAL FARMING
achievements

GROW NEW SKILLS

Learn leadership,
MODULE 4
STEM Labs are a chance to be creative; develop leadership,

ROBOT RACE
problem-solving, teamwork and communications skills; and
learn to think like a STEM professional.
teamwork and
GRAPHING LAB
Using Lego® Mindstorms® NXT 2.0, design, build
and program a robot that can pick up and move
communications skills
ping pong balls. Compete against your fellow STEM
Scouts to see whose robot gets the job done fastest.

• Explore Materials
• Design Robot
• Build a Prototype
• Program Your Robot
• Compete

UNIT CONVERSION DENSITY LAB

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 16-17 8/10/15 10:41 AM

 MODULE 1

CHAOS
Try a different STEM project every day. Learn about
different topics, such as smoke bombs, electrical
circuits, electromagnets, 3D modeling, stop motion
animation, graphing and extrapolation.

• Bungee Jumping
• Curious Creatures
• Electromagnetic Challenge
• Flour Darts
• Stop Motion Animation

HIGH SCHOOL MODULE 2

GRADES 9-12
CHEMISTRY
High school students take their study of STEM topics to a higher level as they learn through Explore chemical reactions—and make some

hands-on experiments, field trips and independent study. STEM Scouts meet in weekly labs explosions. What soft drink makes the biggest

to explore different STEM-related topics, each grouped in six-week learning modules. boom? Use chemistry to make your own ice cream.
Learn a secret recipe for brushing an elephant’s
High school STEM Scouts can earn virtual badges and achievement awards as they teeth. How do you make exploding hydrogen
complete modules and independent study projects. They can expand their study of topics balloons? It’s time to find out!
of interest through Individual Learning Modules. With STEM professionals as mentors and
• Exothermic Elephants and Volcanoes
the opportunity to publish their work in an online, peer-reviewed journal, high school STEM
• Exploring Ice Cream
Scouts can give themselves an advantage in college applications and scholarship searches.
• Making Hydrogen Balloons
While the specific curriculum may change from year to year and vary somewhat by council, • Soda Geyser Reactions
the following examples are typical of the modules available for each age group. • It’s a Gas!
• Investigating Spectra

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 18-19 8/10/15 10:42 AM

 MODULE 3

ROBOTICS MODULE 6

Design and build your own robot. Then use LEGO® HYDRAULICS VERTICAL FARMING
Mindstorms® EV3™ to program your robot to pick up and
relocate ping pong balls. Compete with other Scouts.

• Explore Materials
• Design Robot
• Build Prototype
• Test and Redesign
• Communicate Results
• Compete

Independent study,
mentoring and publishing
SUSTAINABLE
PAPER opportunities

GROW NEW SKILLS

MODULE 4
STEM Labs are a chance to be creative; develop leadership,

FORENSIC
problem-solving, teamwork and communications skills; and

SCIENCE
learn to think like a STEM professional.

UNIT CONVERSION GRAPHING LAB

Solve a murder mystery by applying forensic science
techniques. Conduct gel electrophoresis as you
explore DNA and how it applies to forensic science.
Investigate blood typing activities using simulated
blood. Learn how to lift fingerprints and take casts
of footprints.

• Learn Forensic Techniques

• Blood Typing
• Gel Electrophoresis
• Processing the Crime Scene
• Applying Forensic Techniques to Solve the Crime

DENSITY LAB LEAF COLLECTION

• Outing to a Local Crime Lab or Court House

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 20-21 8/10/15 10:42 AM

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have questions? Take a look at the FAQs below. If you don’t see the answer you need, visit stemscouts.org or feel free to contact us.

Q What does STEM stand for? Q Who is in charge of STEM Scout Labs? How many adults will Q What time commitment is involved in being a STEM Scout? Q How will STEM Scouting impact a youth’s future? Does it vary
be at every Lab gathering? Who are the professionals by the length of time a person is engaged in STEM Scouts?
A STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and A STEM Scouts meet weekly for about 90 minutes, for four-
involved? How are they selected and approved? What makes STEM Scouting unique and in what ways does it
mathematics. STEM Scouts is a new program that introduces and six-week modules, with six to nine different modules per
prepare participants for the future?
youth to these disciplines through exciting and fun A STEM Scouts is a pilot program of the Boy Scouts of America semester, which translates to a total of 28 weeks of activities,
hands-on experiments. and operates under BSA guidelines. Individual labs are depending on the age group. A In addition to their expanded knowledge of STEM-related
supervised by adult volunteers, some of whom are parents topics, older STEM Scouts will have the opportunity to publish
and many of whom work in STEM fields. Each unit has at least and share their work through an online, peer-reviewed journal,
Q Who can be a STEM Scout? How old do you have to be? Q Is it possible to make small commitments of time—say
one female and one male volunteer. The STEM professionals giving them a sense of accomplishment and knowledge about
for just one lab series or about six weeks—instead of the
A STEM Scouts is for both girls and boys in grades 3 through help students understand research methods, STEM concepts, research practices as well as a distinct competitive advantage
entire year?
12. It is a pilot program of the Boys Scouts of America, and STEM careers. All volunteers must be at least 21 years old, when pursuing post-secondary education.
currently available only in select councils. undergo a criminal background check and complete BSA’s A At this time, Scouts must sign up for an entire year (signups
STEM Scouts also develop, through their lab activities,
Youth Protection Training. Middle and high school labs have at are at the beginning of each semester). One of our goals is
the kinds of skills that will stand them in good stead both
least one leader with a STEM background. teamwork, which is developed through consistent
Q What do STEM Scouts do? in post-secondary education and in the workplace:
participation from each Scout.
improved communication, leadership, teamwork, and other
A STEM Scouts meet weekly in groups called Labs. They work
Q What specific BSA policies and guidelines will apply to There are, however, opportunities for adults to participate on intangible qualities.
with Lab leaders and STEM professionals to do fun, hands-
STEM Scouts? a limited basis, such as serving as a field trip host or as a STEP
on experiments that teach STEM-related concepts and show STEM Scouts also have direct interaction with mentors and
volunteer (guest speaker, leading an experiment or an entire
how STEM knowledge is used both in everyday life and in the A STEM Scouts follows the Scout Oath and Law with the volunteers who are STEM professionals and can help students
4- or 6-week module).
professional world. goal of producing men and women who are leaders, display learn more about potential careers.
confidence, realize their skills and limitations, are respectful of
STEM Scouts have the opportunity to develop their skills in
others’ opinions, are problem solvers in all aspects of life, Q When and where are STEM Scout meetings held?
leadership, communication, creative problem-solving, Q How will participants stay engaged? How will it be kept fun,
look for opportunities to serve others, are good citizens,
teamwork and research. High school students also have the A Meetings for different age groups are held weekly after fast-paced and interesting?
and demonstrate integrity in all phases of their lives.
opportunity to publish their work in a peer-reviewed journal school at locations near you. Chartered Organizations
Each meeting will open with the Pledge, Scout Oath and A Our hands-on experiments are a big part of making each
and build a resume for college. are often corporations, but can also be private schools,
Law. All Scouts and adult leaders agree to adhere to the meeting fun and engaging. Scouts rotate through different
community centers, places of business, and other locations.
guidelines in the Guide to Safe Scouting and to only perform roles on the team, a process which also keeps them involved
At this time, public entities, including schools, CANNOT
Q How is STEM Scouts different from regular Scouting? experiments sanctioned by STEM Scouts. and engaged as they learn to do different jobs.
be Chartered Organizations.
A STEM Scouts is different from regular Scouting in that
Some areas also have a STEM Scout mobile lab, the Vortex,
outdoor activities are only a portion of the activities and Q How do you get involved as a youth? As a parent? Q Will there be some structured award system or success
which travels around the area working with students interested
not the main focus. It is totally separate and entirely As a volunteer? recognition built into the program?
in learning more about the world around them.
independent from core BSA programs. STEM Scouts is
A Students should find a Lab near them and can register by the A STEM Scouts does not have ranks, but Scouts can earn
also more hands-on than regular school-sponsored STEM
website. Parents, we encourage you to be actively involved in digital badges as well as achievement awards.
programs, with more fieldtrips and the opportunity for Q How do I find a STEM Scout program to join?
STEM Scouts. Follow along with your child as he or she
students to work directly with STEM professionals.
explores. We’re also always looking for adult volunteers A If you don’t live nearby but would like to bring STEM Scouts to
to join a Lab unit, help with a field trip or become a your area, let us know by contacting us, and we will get in
Q To what degree is the program hands-on? short-term volunteer. touch with you.

A The bulk of each weekly meeting is spent engaging in various Each Lab must be supported and sponsored by a Chartered
experiments. Each Scout has a specific role in the Organization. Perhaps your company, school, place of worship Q What role does the school play in the program? Does it vary
experiment, allowing everyone the chance to participate and or organization could be a Chartered Organization. by age grouping?
to try different roles, from leading a team to doing technical
A Some STEM Labs are held at area schools and led by
work. Scouts who want to learn more about a specific topic
Q How much does it cost to become a STEM Scout? school staff who are volunteers with the program.
may expand their knowledge by participating in individual
learning modules. A The cost is $200 yearly, which includes safety goggles and
the core activities.

Q I’m not sure my family can afford the yearly cost. Do you
offer financial aid?

A Yes! Talk to one of the leaders at a sign-up meeting, or

contact us.

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 22-23 8/10/15 10:42 AM

 STEMSCOUTS.ORG
©2015 STEM Scouts. All Rights Reserved.

STEM_CurriculumBrochure_FINAL_Cover1.indd 24 8/10/15 10:42 AM