Getting Started: Overview of Activities
The activities are based on the three keys to leadership (Discover,
Connect, Take Action) and are organized by category: Financial
Flair (financial literacy), Science
and Tech Trek (STEM), and Take Action.
The Take Action activities provide girls with a step-by-step framework
for creating, planning, and organizing their own Take Action project.
This set of activities is designed to further support the activities
in either of the other categories and will extend the experience of what
girls enjoy most.
Meeting Format
Each activity in this guide uses a similar format for use during your group meeting.
- Introduction/Talking Points—a "script" that introduces the activity and puts it in the context of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
- Hands-On Experience—step-by-step instructions for facilitating the activity. Each activity is designed so girls can learn or practice basic STEM and financial literacy skills in an engaging and fun way.
- Reflection/Discussion—a list of questions and talking points designed to help girls explore and discuss how the activity's skills and themes can be useful in their "school world" and can be applied to their "real lives." Questions can also be used as journal prompts—ideas for girls to write about in their journals.
Be Flexible
When supporting girls in activity selection, the number one rule
is to know the girls! What do they like or dislike? What
kinds of things get them excited? For example, if you know the
group likes the outdoors, encourage girls to choose activities that
relate to the environment or activities that can be done outdoors.
If the group is particularly interested in aeronautics, suggest girls
try "Daredevil of the Sky," in which girls design and fly their own
paper airplanes.
Also, remember to ask girls what they want to do! If they especially like a certain activity or subject, ask them what other related activities they might like to do. For example, they might like to go on a field trip to a science museum or invite an engineer to meet with them. In other words, use the activities in this guide as the foundation to your program, but be creative and flexible about adding other activities.
Other Resources:
Financial Literacy and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are
two areas that Girl Scouts has been committed to in developing program
for girls. Listed below are additional Girl Scout resources. Check the
Girl Scout shop Web site http://www.girlscoutshop.com for
hard copy resources and also http://www.girlscouts.org/program/basics/science/ for
other STEM resources available either by download or hard copy.
Financial Literacy Resources
Cashin' In This book helps girls learn
to manage money to afford what really matters in high school: things
like a first car, the perfect prom dress, and college.
Got Money? Saving and Investing (available
in Spanish and English)
This book helps girls learn how to make their own rules and make
their money last throughout their lives.
Mind Your Own Business With this book girls cultivate
skills, knowledge, and confidence to become savvy entrepreneurs.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
(STEM) Resources
Lighten Up! Discovering the Science of Light
Lighten Up! helps girls aged 11–15 to explore
optics—a branch of physics—and discover why physics is so important
in everyday life. This book offers fun, engaging activities such as
making a sunset in a bottle, using Jell-O to understand how lenses work,
and crafting a telescope to explore science concepts. Career profiles
highlight job opportunities available in the field. The book is available
for via a free download.
Take Action Resource
aMAZE! The Twists and Turns of Getting Along, the
new Cadette Girl Scout Leadership Journey is another resource
for Take Action activities.
