Tag Archives: space

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A Trip to Mars: An Immersive Murder Mystery Experience In Space

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Attention Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes! Register for A Trip to Mars – An Immersive Murder Mystery Experience In Space by Twists N Turns. The cost is $17/girl, $10/adult and there are multiple dates to choose from. Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-trip-to-mars-an-immersive-murder-mystery-experience-in-space-tickets-132699330269

Rumor has it that there has been some foul play on the planet Mars! After a secret mission went awry, an astronaut has gone missing. The final transmission was concerning and we were hired to investigate. Can you help solve the mystery and find a way home?

If your girl loves mystery-themed novels and detective shows, then this class will give her the chance to test her critical thinking skills in hypothetical situations based in fantasy and reality. She will learn how to excel in puzzles and riddles and will find herself using lateral thinking to be more creative in her guesses. The puzzles and riddles will involve colors, wordplay, shapes, and math.

The mysteries will be presented to the class through videos, images, and text on the screen. The facilitator will narrate the story and explain each puzzle, encouraging students to use what they see or hear to make informed guesses. They will look for misdirections, and break down the steps necessary to solve the puzzles. Then, they will share and debate hypotheses with their troop ultimately working together to solve the mystery before class ends.

Materials: Pencil and paper to write down clues!

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Listen now – Meet an Expert: Women in the U.S. Space Force

Girl Scouts of Colorado is honored to have had nine women in the U.S. Space Force join our Meet an Expert program on January 12 and January 19, 2021. The program on the Jan. 12 was for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors and the program on the Jan. 19 was for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. More than 275 Girl Scouts from across the United States joined these programs live to learn about being a woman in the military, what the U.S. Space force does, and how they can prepare for a career in the military or in the space industry.

You can now watch and listen to these webinars on the GSCO YouTube channel. Don’t forget to check out our whole Meet an Expert playlist while you’re there!

Jan. 12 – Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors

Jan. 19 – Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors

Girl Scouts who participated in the live session or listen to the recording can purchase their “Meet an Expert” patch online: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/about-girl-scouts/gsco-shop.html

Read more about the amazing women in the U.S. Space Force who participated in the program:

Major Lucia White: United States Space Force, Assistant Director of Operations, 2d Space Operations Squadron (responsible for the GPS satellite constellation).  I was a former Girl Scout and grew up with a strong interest in physics and astronomy.  I graduated from the Air Force Academy with a Bachelors of Science degree in biology and will be going back there to teach biology after I complete my master’s degree in biology (hopeful to do my research in growing plants on the International Space Station).  I’m also an adventure seeker who loves the sky and traveling.  If I’m not at home with my two cats, you can usually find me skydiving.

Captain Carmilya Jones: Space Delta 8 Standardization and Evaluation Deputy Chief. Bachelors of Science in Biology from USAFA. Married mother of two, soon to promote to Major in the United States Space Force. Previously a Girl Scout herself.

Captain Erin Brown: I am a Space Operations Officer in the United States Space Force as of September 2020.  Currently, I am serving at Buckley Garrison (previously Air Force Base) in the Joint Overhead Persistent-Infrared Center (JOPC) with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).  Within the JOPC, I am an Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Strategist responsible for designing and directing collection strategies in various portions of the EM-spectrum to support our worldwide mission partners and manage the collections for emerging threats.  Additionally, I am the Flight Commander of Detachment 7’s Collection Flight, overseeing and coordinating intelligence resources from the space domain through a skilled team dispersed throughout the space collection’s mission set.  I graduated in 2015 from the University of Kentucky with a baccalaureate degree in General Biology.  Currently, I am studying at Johns Hopkins University to receive my Masters of Science in Geospatial Intelligence.  In my free time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, baking, and playing board games and yard games with my husband and friends.

Captain Farrah “CANYON” Hassan: I’m Weapons Officer on Schriever AFB, CO. She graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL in 2012 with a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. She loves her job because she gets to teach others about space and technology every day. In her off time, she likes to paint and act.

1st Lt Nastassia Arrington: Deputy flight commander for Maintenance flight/ Officer in-charge of cyber security. I have a BA in biological Anthropology form East Carolina University, and an MA in developmental psychology from Liberty University. I love to hike, weight lift, and read comics for my current hobbies.

Lt Kelley McCaa: I currently work in 2Sops as a Satellite Vehicle Operator and a Modernization Analyst. I graduated from The University of Nebraska in Omaha, NE with a Bachelors in Global Strategic Studies/ International Studies and Political Science; I also studied Russian Language while in college. When not at work, my hobbies include hiking, reading, studying languages, and acrobatics.

Staff Sgt. Kelly Malone: I am originally from Georgia but have moved around my whole life (Army brat). I am a Satellite Systems Operator and Crew Chief for the GPS Constellation in the 2nd Space Operations Squadron. Prior to joining the Air Force and transferring to the Space Force, my background is Criminal Justice – I interned at the Public Defender Office my senior year in high school, I have a Criminal Justice Diploma, and a Paralegal Certificate. When I enlisted, a job as a Space Systems Operations opened and I jumped at the chance! I have learned SO MUCH about space and have really enjoyed the engineering aspect of the satellites themselves. When I’m not at work, I love working out, playing sports, and hiking!

Staff Sgt. Kathryn Brockmiller: I have been serving in the USAF for 6 years. I am currently assigned to 22 SOPS and work as an information systems security officer. I love what I do in communications and I am almost finished with my Bachelors in Management of Information Systems. On my free time, I’m a musician, love to ride motorcycles, spend time with my wife, play videogames, and workout!

Senior Airman Angelica Perez: Born in Philippines and grew up in California. Currently an Orbital Analysts and Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Operator for the 4th Space Operations Squadron. Currently working for my Bachelors for Electrical Engineering and my hobbies are watching anime, books, and tea.

Questions? Email aimee.artzer@gscolorado.org.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors from Aurora visit Challenger Learning Center

Submitted by Melissa Deal

Metro Denver

Aurora

Four Girl Scout Cadette and Senior troops from Aurora got together for a day of space exploration at the Challenger Learning Center in Colorado Springs. They participated in two space missions, and truly worked as a team to complete their mission! Good job Girl Scouts!

This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments, too.

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Girl Scouts take over Fiske Planetarium

Submitted by Rebecca “Zap” Lankford

Metro Denver

Broomfield

Troop 3572 of Broomfield hosted a scouts only event on Sunday, Oct. 29 at CU Boulder’s Fiske Planetarium. With the help of Claire, the presenter, and Spencer, the pilot, girls were shown a number of constellations and nebulae, went flying by the International Space Station, learned how to find the North Star, and floated in Saturn’s rings. The planetarium was almost full with 195 scouts and family members present. The ooohs, aaahhhs, and general excitement about space made for an exhilarating afternoon. The visit to the planetarium fulfills some of the requirements for badges for Cadettes and Seniors. Great job, girls!

This story was submitted using the Share Your Stories form. You can share your Girl Scout moments too.

Archive, Uncategorized

Reach for the stars, you’ll land on the moon!


Written by Colorado Girl Scout Alumnae, Emily Walters, who earned her Gold Award in 2004

Girl Scouts and the Girl Scout Gold Award has helped me get to where I am today.

I was recently fortunate to work on the GRAIL satellite project at Lockheed Martin. GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) is a two satellite system that will orbit the moon to analyze the internal structure and lunar gravity. They are relatively small compared to other satellites, about the size of a washer and dryer, and launched toward the moon on Sept. 8, 2011. I was a part of the team that assembled the spacecraft, tested each component of the spacecraft as it was added, and tested the fully integrated system. Prior to the launch, I worked in Cape Canaveral, Florida to do final testing and integrate the GRAIL satellites to the rocket. Some days I wrote procedures or code software scripts, other days I worked in a cleanroom bunny suit running a test on the spacecraft. I got to work directly with the hardware to get to know the satellites in and out. On Sept. 8th, I helped the team launch the rocket for its journey to the moon!

In school and growing up, I was always interested in math and science. When it was time to decide what I wanted to do for my Gold Award project (one of Girl Scouts most prestigious awards), I knew that I wanted to do something to share my love of math and science. When I was in high school, I earned my Gold Award for starting a summer science program for elementary aged kids. It was an opportunity for me to have fun and help inspire others with my passion for science. During my project, I led the children through different science topics and experiments. Since I had always been interested in space, we had a “space week” where we explored different space topics.

What helped me the most with earning my Gold Award were the team building experiences that I had through Girl Scouts. I had an opportunity to learn about leadership and eventually take the lead. I also had to go outside of my comfort zone while working on my Gold Award, which helped me push my boundaries. I use these skills at work by asserting myself with a team to make sure that GRAIL was ready to go to the moon. On Sept. 8th, I sat in front of a monitor in the Mission Control Center as the rocket counted down to take GRAIL to the moon.

If you want to learn more about GRAIL, visit these sites: