COSMIC STEM Awards

Challenges Of STEM: Mountaintop experiences In CAC

COSMIC is Capitol Area Council’s pathway to hands-on, real-world STEM adventures. Youth can begin with one introductory experience, explore a growing collection of topic awards, and work toward advanced recognition with a mentor.

• Start with COSMIC First Steps
• View all COSMIC awards
• Report a completed award
• Counselor and mentor information

The COSMIC STEM Award Program is a locally developed Capitol Area Council program for youth from kindergarten through age 20 in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouting, and Exploring. Created by the council’s volunteer STEM Committee, COSMIC provides age-appropriate awards that can grow with new discoveries, Central Texas expertise, youth interests, and special events.

COSMIC awards are council recognitions and are not national Scouting America advancement awards.

Every participant begins with COSMIC First Steps and earns the hexagonal base patch. The patch sits on a larger hook-and-loop backing with room for 12 round topic patches. Youth may then earn topic patches in any order and build a record of STEM exploration over several years.

• First Steps Base Patch — an introduction to STEM, the scientific method, the engineering design process, and the COSMIC program.
• COSMIC Patch Awards — hands-on investigations focused on subjects such as eclipses, biochemistry, computer hardware, radio technologies, and mycology.
• COSMIC Pin — an advanced, long-term STEM journey completed with an approved mentor. Pin requirements are coming soon.

COSMIC is open to Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA members, Venturers, Sea Scouts, and Explorers. Activities are adapted to the participant’s age and program. Younger Cub Scouts use simple vocabulary, movement, models, and strong adult guidance. Older youth complete more independent investigations, use deeper technical vocabulary, and teach others using the EDGE method.

Every youth earns COSMIC First Steps before earning topic patches. Participants explain what STEM means, learn the scientific method and engineering design process, understand how the COSMIC award program works, and recite the COSMIC STEM Promise. First Steps may be completed at a den or unit meeting, council event, or another approved Scouting activity with an adult COSMIC Counselor.

Each award uses a familiar structure: prerequisites, safety, vocabulary, hands-on activities, discussion, and — for Scouts BSA and older youth — teaching others through EDGE. Requirements are tailored for Cub Scouts and for Scouts BSA and older youth programs.

• Eclipses
• Biochemistry
• Computer Hardware
• Radio Technologies
• Mycology (fungi)
• Mechanical Engineering Design & Manufacturing

Additional topics, including the Houston Toad and Microprocessors, are in development.

After a participant completes First Steps or a topic patch, the Counselor or designated unit advancement volunteer submits the online COSMIC Patch Reporting Form. After the award is reported, the STEM Committee verifies the completion and sends a confirmation email authorizing purchase of the patch. For council events where COSMIC is offered, the organizing committee will provide the STEM Committee the list of participants who completed the award and will send a purchase-authorization email. COSMIC patches may be purchased through the Capitol Area Council Scout Shop by showing a copy of that email — either on your phone or on paper. COSMIC Pin awards will follow a separate review and presentation process.

COSMIC Patch Reporting Form: Coming Soon.

Adult leaders may serve as COSMIC Counselors for First Steps and patch awards. Approved COSMIC Mentors guide advanced Pin candidates. Volunteers, STEM professionals, and youth may also suggest new award topics or help with council STEM events.

• View upcoming STEM events
• Email the CAC STEM Committee