The online registration closes for this event on March 27, 2027

Cub Scout STEM NOVA - Nova WILD!
Learn about wildlife and the natural world all around you. Use museum dioramas to observe an ecosystem up close, and then create your own diorama. Explore food chains and endangered species. Meet a scientist who studies wildlife. Finally, “dive in” and watch “Expedition Reef” in our planetarium! The entire NOVA badge can be completed in this session.

Cub Scout Session Check-in begins at 9:00 AM and session runs until 1:00 PM if you meet with your NOVA Counselor. Cub Scouts and their families are invited to stay with their paid event admission to participate in the brand-new IDEAS Day festival at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.

Scouts BSA/Venturing/Sea Scout STEM NOVA - The Next Big Thing
Explore the world of product design. Meet a scientist who is developing new products and learn about their innovations. Prototype and design a new product yourself! Finally, watch a planetarium show about the design and invention of the telescope. If available, students should bring a computer or tablet to assist in their
product design.
PRE-REQUISITES: In advance of this badge, Scouts will need to
– Watch and/or read two hours on topics related to product design
– Complete one of the following merit badges: American Business, Architecture, Composite Materials, Digital Technology, Drafting, Electronics, Engineering, Inventing, Model Design and Building
– Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from the articles you read or the shows you watched and be prepared to discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

Scouts BSA/Venturing/Seas Scout Session Check-in begins at 1:00 PM and session runs until 5:00 PM if the scout checks in with the Nova Counselor. Scouts and their families are invited to come early with their paid event admission to visit the museum and participate in the brand-new IDEAS Day festival at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.

Cost: Scout Cost is $30. This includes a ticket to the planetarium, museum browse time, all the lessons/activities and a STEMblem (patch).

Parent/Chaperone Cost is $20. This includes a ticket to the planetarium, museum browse time and attending lessons/activities with your scout(s).

Staff Cost Nova Counselors volunteering at the event is free. Please contact Maria Peralta if you are a Nova Counselor and are interested in helping us staff the event.

From 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., the museum is holding a brand-new IDEAS Day festival.
Participate in engaging activities and demonstrations, learn through hands-on experiences, make science-inspired projects, view fascinating museum specimens, and meet real U-M researchers! Each IDEAS Days event has a unique theme that connects museum visitors to STEM learning in a different way - this one is “Food Science & Energy”!

Morning Session, Cub Scout Only, 100 Person Limit

Afternoon Session, Scouts BSA, Venturer, Sea Scout - 50 Person Limit.