Mt. Vernon, VA: Noah Ventura, Eagle Scout from Mt. Vernon, VA received the Boy Scout's highest Science, Technology, Engineering and Math award during a ceremony Monday, March 13, 2017 at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church.
The Thomas Edison Award is part of the STEM initiative Boy Scouts of America launched in 2012. Ventura started working on the award three years, completed 13 STEM merit badges and earned the Dr. Bernard Harris award as part of the prequisite.
Ventura has earned the Cub Scout Dr. Charles H. Townes Supernova award and Boy Scout Dr. Bernard Harris Level I Supernova Award.
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"I really enjoyed working on the STEM award as a Cub Scout and was very excited I could continue working on STEM as a Boy Scout,' said Ventura. "I could not have done it without the support of my Den Leaders, STEM Mentors and my parents. I had to do a lot of activities, experiments and merit badges to earn the award."
Boy Scout STEM awards requires earning Nova awards and merit badges, completing STEM activities, participating in a science fair or another STEM-related competition, and presenting STEM material to a Cub Scout den or pack. The first-level Dr. Bernard Harris bronze award also includes career exploration, while the second-level Thomas Edison silver award includes doing research on a STEM breakthrough or innovation.
Ventura is one of six Boy Scouts who have earned the Edison Award in the National Capital Area and joins 175 scouts who have earned the award since 2012.
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Edison, who the Supernova award is named after, created such great innovations as the practical incandescent electric light bulb and the phonograph. A savvy businessman, he held more than 1,000 patents for his inventions.
For more information about the Boy Scouts' STEM program or the National Capital Area Council, visit http://www.ncacbsa.org/activitiesevents/stem/
