| |
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Girls push boundaries, test limits, and look at the world around them with inquisitive eyes. They're natural scientists! Girl Scouts introduces girls of every age to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities that are relevant to everyday life. Whether they're discovering how a car's engine runs, becoming math whizzes, or learning about careers in STEM fields, girls are moving forward into the future. They can host science fairs, design Web sites, plan for space exploration, visit geological sites and more.
Here are some of the many ways Girl Scouts helps girls build strong, hands-on foundations to become future female leaders and meet the growing need for skilled science and technology professionals in the United States:
 |
 |
FIRST Robotics
(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology)
FIRST is an organization dedicated to "inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills." FIRST recognizes the importance of developing girls' courage, confidence and character to make this world a better place through engagement in hands-on engineering and science programs.
FIRST LEGO® League (FLL) introduces girls to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) using LEGO MINDSTORMS®. Girls engage in activities which test technical skill with robot design and programming while also exposing them to leadership skills through annual research-oriented community projects, promoting awareness of current issues. See this year's theme.
FLL can be organized as day camps, resident camps, after-school and/or university-based activities. Girl Scouts that participate in FLL are eligible to earn the Girl Scout Robotics Participation Patch (pictured at left).
For more information about FIRST and how to get involved, please contact Kate Pickle, STEM Project Manager, Technology and Engineering Initiatives, at kpickle@girlscouts.org.
|
 |
|
Lighten Up! Discovering the Science of Light
Girl Scouts of the USA is pleased to present Lighten Up! Discovering the Science of Light, an exciting new program resource for girls 11–15. Developed through a partnership with the Optical Society of America's Foundation (OSAF), Lighten Up! offers fun, hands-on activities–such as making a sunset in a bottle, using Jell-O to understand how lenses work, and crafting a telescope–to acquaint girls with the fascinating world of optics. The guide shows girls how optics concepts relate to current research and why optics is so important in everyday life. Additionally, career profiles highlight some of the many job opportunities available in the field.
The book is available for free download at www.studio2b.org/gossipyouneed/lighten_up.asp
Through this partnership, OSA's Local Sections and Student Chapters are committed to working with area councils to help present program related to this topic and serve as mentors. To find a section/chapter in your area, go to www.osa.org, click on Membership, and select Student Services or Local Sections from the menu. |
 |
|
Mix it Up!
Guiding Middle School Girls to Success
Did you know that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs that require computer and math skills are each projected to grow by more than 20 percent in the next decade? Unfortunately, studies show that girls begin to lose confidence and interest in science and math during middle school.
The goal of Mix it Up! Guiding Middle School Girls to Success is to give girls opportunities not only for real-life applications of financial literacy and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities but also find their voice, challenge themselves, make friends, and have fun.
|
 |
|
Girls Go Tech
Women represent 46% of the total workforce but only 25% of the technology workforce. Early interest in science, math, technology, and engineering is critical to girls' success in these subjects. Through the Girls Go Tech Web site, girls discover technology by exploring their everyday surroundings and high-tech careers. The site's games, explanations, and profiles of women in STEM fields give girls a fun and comprehensive perspective on what the future could be. Today's Girl Scouts are preparing to take on the 21st century's many technological opportunities and challenges.
|
 |
|
Fair Play: Design & Discovery
A Girl Scouts of the USA initiative since 2001, Fair Play: Design & Discovery serves girls through 63 programs in 30 states. Girls ages 11-17 participate in an immersive experience through which they learn to see the world through the eyes of an engineer and solve everyday problems in their own lives using engineering and the design process.
Fair Play: Design & Discovery builds girls' knowledge of engineering, design and technology to support the development of inquiry skills, and to involve them in sustained problem solving. By participating in the design process, they begin to experience and understand how much of the world around them is created. Engaging in real design and engineering gives girls an opportunity to look more critically at the designed world and tap into their own capacity to create change. Girls formulate problems from everyday situations and develop strategies to solve problems, while verifying and interpreting their results. Design & Discovery helps girls understand the role of engineering and design in producing effective solutions to real-world problems.
This innovative engineering and technology program features flexible day camp, resident camp, after-school and university-based implementation models.
|
 |
|
Lockheed Martin Science
Career Exploration Fund
This innovative program provides funds to develop activities on the local and national levels to enable Girl Scouts to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a supportive, hands-on, non-competitive environment, while promoting consideration of careers in these disciplines. Career fairs, field trips, job shadowings and other inspiring activities encourage girls to set high educational and career goals and provide an incentive for girls with science ability to enhance their education.
Some recent exceptional activities initiatives:
- Extreme Science Careers Leadership Institute National Destination
- CEO University: cutting-edge technology in the business world
- Marsville: creating sustainable habitats
- The Penguin Project: exploration in biomechanics
Lockheed Martin also sponsors Space Day, which connects girls, leaders, parents and space enthusiasts to advance math, science and technology education annually in May. |
 |
|
NASA
Girl Scouts of the USA has worked with NASA for more than 15 years to promote interest and engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) With a shared common goal to enable more youth and adults to embrace the value of STEM, NASA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GSUSA in January 2005. Strengthening this comprehensive partnership has provided adult development training opportunities, materials development, career exposure, research sharing, mentors, community outreach exhibits, summer internships for girls, field trips relating to earth and solar exploration.
Currently, more than one-third of Girl Scout councils have attended one or more trainings by NASA science experts. These councils have engaged over 100,000 girls in NASA missions, research and centers across the United States and International locations.
|
Former Programs:
 |
|
Reach for the Stars
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is one of our key partners in advancing our commitment to introduce more girls to the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Below is the video from 1993 titled Reach for the Stars.
|
|
|
|
|
VOLUNTEER