National Capital Area Council > STEM

STEM

Scouting offers the unique opportunity for today’s youth to experience Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in tandem with character development, leadership training, and ethical decision-making. Youth need STEM literacy to survive in the future, and the NCAC STEM Committee cultivates programs to promote STEM among Cub Scouts, Webelos, Scouts BSA, Venturers, Explorers, and STEM Labs.

Program Structure:

STEM Labs is a tactile program organized in 2 divisions: Labs for grades 3-5 and grades 6-8.; all meant to inspire and bring STEM to life for girls and boys.

Each meeting involves a hands-on experiment and wraps up with a discussion of a STEM innovator: people of both genders and diverse ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds who have made a contribution to the STEM field.

Labs meet 20 times a year to explore 20 different hands-on activities clustered into five annual themes or modules. Each lab receives new kits and curriculums annually, and distinct curriculums are provided for elementary and middle school.

Youth Leadership:

Youths work in teams of three and rotate through Principal Investigator, Co-P.I., and Project Manager roles.

How to Register:

Join a STEM Lab any time of the year! Each STEM Lab typically meets three times a month from September to June in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

The annual fee of $285 covers registration, eye goggles, and all activity materials. Scholarships are available.

Cooking Merit Badge

  • NCAC STEM is hosting a Cooking merit badge class at Camp William B. Snyder on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

  • The class balances basic instruction with hands on time so Scouts BSA can gain practical experience while earning the Cooking MB.

  • To register, go to: https://scoutingevent.com/082-96563. Space is limited, so register early!!!

Geology Workshop

  • NCAC is hosting an event for Cub Scouts to earn the Down and Dirty Nova Award and the Earth Rocks! elective.

  • The Workshop will be held at the Marriott Scout Service Center in Bethesda on June 14, 2025.To register, go to: https://scoutingevent.com/082-95400

STEM Summer Workshops 2025

  • The STEM Committee is delighted to partner again with Building Momentum to offer three STEM-focused Workshops this summer.

  • Camp 1 will be held June 16-20, 2025 and offer the Electronics, Model Design and Build, and Entrepreneur merit badges as well as the Next Big Thing Nova award.

  • Camps 3 and 4 will be held July 7-11 and August 4-8, 2025 respectively, and will offer the Game Design, Composite Materials, Welding and Drafting merit badges.

  • To register, go to: https://scoutingevent.com/082-94090

The STEM Trek is a hike around the Mall area of downtown Washington, D.C., highlighting some of the STEM involved in the creation of Washington, D.C. and showcasing the government agencies and private organizations involved in STEM that are located in Washington, D.C.

The Trek includes 24 stops; each has a question for you to answer (a Cub Scout level question, a Scout BSA level question, and an on-site question). An ‘abbreviated’ trek is highlighted in the guide for those who prefer that.

 

Scouts BSA developed the STEM Nova Awards program to excite and expand a sense of wonder in our Scouts. By working with an adult counselor or mentor, the various modules allow them to explore the basic principles of STEM and discover how fun and fascinating STEM can be. The Supernova awards are offered for those who enjoy a super challenge. Discover how the STEM Nova Awards program helps youth be “Prepared. For Life.”

The STEM Speaker Series allows you to learn about exciting STEM careers!  The conversations will be held on Teams. This is a continuation of a successful series of NCAC STEM that started during the pandemic. Attendees will have an opportunity to join a Q&A with each of our guests.

Upcoming Events:

Landing on the Room with Kurt Yankaskas: March 19, 2025.

Mr. Yankaskas is an engineer working for the US Navy. His presentation will be about noise on ships and how it is treated in ship design and operations. The discussion will be about the testing and design of aircraft carriers, which are really small towns with an airport on top!

Check often, as we will be more speakers soon. Scouts and parents are welcome.

Why STEM?

We live in a time of great opportunity. The spirit of innovation can help us overcome challenges and ensure a prosperous and secure future. To seize this opportunity, we must position ourselves at the cutting edge of scientific discovery and technological innovation.

Fostering a strong STEM education is our best opportunity to boost the spirit of innovation. It’s what we need to help ensure this country continues on a prosperous and secure journey. STEM literacy is also critical because it has a profound and growing impact on our day-to-day lives. Nature, space exploration, and any STEM-related interests reveal to us the beauty and power of the world we inhabit.

Contact Us!

Contact our STEM Committee at stem@ncacbsa.org

Call our STEM team at 240-395-0601

Follow us on Facebook for events and updates!