Morgan has officially earned both of Scouts BSA’s highest STEM advancement awards: the Dr. Bernard Harris Supernova Award and the Thomas Edison Supernova Award.
These awards recognize advanced achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and this was not a quick project. Morgan spent more than five years completing the requirements for the two Supernovas.
Along the way he earned four NOVA awards and twelve STEM merit badges, shadowed an engineer, participated in science fair and robotics competitions, researched STEM topics and careers, and shared what he learned with younger Scouts. One of those demonstrations involved the science behind Diet Coke and Mentos, which seems about right for life with boys.
December 8, 2020: Council confirmed that Morgan’s Thomas Edison Supernova Award had officially been approved after the application was submitted in October.
His Supernova mentor, Sophia Bright, said the pandemic made traditional Scouting much harder, but Morgan kept meeting virtually over the course of several months and continued working through the requirements. In 2020, only two Scouts in our region earned the Thomas Edison Supernova.
“I am hoping to use the knowledge I gained by earning these awards to help guide my future college and career decisions,” Morgan said. “The STEM program offers us the opportunity to learn more about the world around you in a hands-on way that is unique.”
He is an Eagle Scout, an honor student at St. Charles West, and somehow still manages to fit in wrestling, cross country and track. He plans to study engineering after graduation.
November 19, 2021 update: Morgan’s Supernova work was formally recognized at the Einstein Dinner. We were able to sit with his mentor, Sophia Bright, and Nathan, and I thanked Sophia for all of the work that helped make the awards possible. After more than five years of STEM advancement work, the awards finally had an in-person recognition night.
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