Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Materials needed:
Setup:
Have you ever thought about the many things that make your life easier? Let’s take the simple idea of a light switch. When the sun goes down, we just turn on a light and continue with our activities. An indoor light at night lets us make dinner, read bedtime stories, and feel safe and cozy. But before an entrepreneur figured out a way to bring electricity into our homes in the late 1880s, people used gas lamps, candles, and fireplaces to brighten up the evenings. People also went to bed earlier!
You are going to come up with an idea that makes life at home better or easier!
Activity:
An entrepreneur is someone who finds ways to help people and solve problems. They are curious about how things work and see each setback as a chance to make things better. Now it’s time for you to practice thinking like an entrepreneur!
Take a walk around your home. Look for things that you feel could be improved in order to make life easier.
As you walk, think about:
Did you find things that could be improved by making changes? Choose one idea and build or draw a prototype! A prototype is a quick way to show your idea to others or to try it out. It can be as simple as a drawing or it could be a 3D model made with things like cardboard, paper, string, rubber bands, or things you might find in a recycle bin. The important thing to remember is that a prototype isn’t supposed to be perfect.
Use your imagination and be creative! You can work on your own, with a partner, or in a small group.
Reflection
Talk to a friend or adult about these questions:
Troop Leaders: The instructions for all badge steps are available free of charge in the Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit.
Girl Scout Activity Zone activities have been adapted from existing Girl Scout programming.