Tag Archives: STEM

LIVE! Awesome Girls: Engineer Your World

Join Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) for a show and tell with Mary Barra, Chairman & CEO of General Motors, and Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts. LIVE! Awesome Girls: Engineer Your World is Wednesday, August 5, 2020 from 12 – 1 p.m. (MDT). Register now: http://girlscoutsathome.girlscouts.org/girlscoutsathome/detail/231/1596650400000

This Awesome Girls online event will bring together two of America’s boldest leaders. Mary Barra is Chairman and CEO of General Motors, our country’s biggest car maker. Mary is changing the automotive industry, making cars safer and better for our environment. Sylvia Acevedo is CEO of Girl Scouts. As an actual rocket scientist, she’s leading the way for girls to take on some of the world’s biggest challenges. This event is recommended for girls in grades K-5, but open to anyone interested in the conversation!

Mary and Sylvia will share stories and show photos, tools, and videos that tell their stories about becoming both engineers and leaders. They’ll tell girls how they can follow in their footsteps with the new Automotive Engineering three-badge series for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. The event will wrap up with a live Q&A for girls to ask Mary and Sylvia questions. Girls will leave with next steps to dive into automotive engineering!

Leading this amazing conversation is Robin Roberts, Good Morning America Co-Anchor.

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.

24 New Badges Designed to Help Girls Lead in a Time of Unprecedented Global Change

From Girl Scouts of the USA

Drumroll, please! Girl Scouts of the USA has 24 new badges designed to help girls practice some serious leadership skills in civics, entrepreneurship, STEM career exploration, and automotive engineering.

In a year of unprecedented global change, our country’s need for strong, broad-minded, and decisive leadership has never been greater. Girl Scouts equips the next generation of female change-makers with the breadth of knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to take action on issues they believe in.

Here’s everything you need to know about the NEW Girl Scout badges:

 

Civics (grades K–12). Be prepared to lead the change in your town, state, and country! Start with the Civics badges and gain an in-depth understanding of how local, state, and federal government works. Get ready to be a voter, an activist, or a political leader. Research laws and understand how they’re created. Explore how the electoral college works. Learn about the representation of women in government, and so much more. You will also research your own government officials and make plans to meet them. (Funded by the Citi Foundation). Start with your FREE new badge activity samplers.

“There is a huge need for leaders who will advocate for the voiceless and the disadvantaged. As young women in America, we have the ability and the responsibility to create the world we want our own daughters to grow up in.” —Gold Award Girl Scout Julia

Entrepreneurship (grades K–12). Dreaming about creating a business that can make a difference? With the Entrepreneurship badges, you will create and pitch a product or service that solves a real-life problem. Then, you’ll build a business plan and think about topics like production, cost, profit, marketing, and competition. (Funded by Susan Bulkeley Butler and designed in collaboration with VentureLab). Start with your FREE new badge activity samplers.

“Girl Scouts should give this badge a chance because developing your hobby to an income or creating your own business is a way to control your future. You get to be the boss!” —Girl Scout Marie

 

STEM Career Exploration (grades 2–8). Thinking about a career path that’s right for you? Discover the STEM Career badges and make a difference about a pressing issue in your community. Explore computer science, nature/environmental science, engineering, design, health, and agriculture. You will also make a career plan that will help you fuel your passion into action. (Funded by IF/THEN, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies). Start with your FREE new badge activity samplers.

“The STEM Career badges are really fun and show you a range of jobs I didn’t even know existed!” —Girl Scout Bridget

 

Automotive Engineering (grades K–5). Buckle up and earn about designing, engineering, and manufacturing vehicles, as well as the future of mobility. Design your own vehicle, test prototypes, and see what it’s like to think like an engineer! You’ll even learn how to manage your own assembly line manufacturing process! (funded by General Motors). Start with your FREE new badge activity samplers.

“My favorite part about this badge was being able to design and create my own car. It made me feel like an engineer. I learned that engineering is something I love and want to explore it further.” —Girl Scout Julia

“The world has changed drastically this year, and now more than ever, it’s imperative to have strong leaders who can make informed decisions,” said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. Our new badges will continue to build the world-changing female leaders of today and the future, particularly in key industries that propel our country forward: automotive engineering, entrepreneurship, civics, and STEM.

In addition, beginning this summer, all councils will also have the opportunity to host their own Girl Scout Cyber Challenge sponsored by Raytheon Technologies, enabling middle and high school girls to learn crucial cybersecurity skills as they compete in challenges such as running traceroutes and identifying phishing schemes. The Cyber Challenge prepares girls to pursue careers in computer science and cybersecurity.

Pollinators and citizen science

Submitted by Robin Hill

Metro Denver

Aurora

Ruth and Aspen from Troop 60035 worked on their Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey. For a field trip, they participated in a pollinator workshop at the Denver Botanic Gardens. They learned that National Pollinator Week was celebrated in June. Because of COVID-19, the usual events surrounding National Pollinator Week could not be held. That’s when their Take Action Project was born. The girls did a presentation about National Pollinator Week, common pollinators in Colorado, and ways to help pollinators through citizen science. Their presentation was shared with their troop, other troop leaders, and family and friends. They also enjoyed their Scistarter project, an ant picnic, where they examined what “foods” attracted ants. Pictures are from one of the citizen scientist observation games and from their ant picnic.

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.

Starburst Rock Cycle

What do Starburst and Geology have in common? Find out by watching this video with Mad Scientist Hobbes from Tomahawk Ranch!

Starburst Rock Cycle Transcript

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.

Virtual Latinx/Hispanic STEM Event

Submitted by Genesis R., Girl Scout Gold Award candidate

Metro Denver

Arvada

[Details and forms available in Spanish and English. Detalles y formularios disponibles en español e inglés.]

Have an empty spot on your calendar on June 27, 2020 from 9-11:30 a.m.? Do you have a second-fifth grader interested in learning more about STEM? Come join us for a Virtual STEM Event!

This event was created as part of a Gold Award project aimed to get more girls from Latinx and Hispanic communities involved in STEM. Did you know that in 2015/2016, Latinas only represented 3.8% of STEM Bachelor’s Degrees across the United States?
(“Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Quick Take.” Catalyst, 14 June 2019, www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem/)

We will be talking about what STEM is, the impact and benefits of it, and doing some hands-on activities. If you are interested, please have a caregiver fill out the sign-up form with the attendee. Registration closes on June 20 at 11:59 p.m. (MDT) or when we have reached our capacity.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCI3Nfo6-PNrTJCItsErTcl-HvDLCpbX9mjEnumEbalh2WnQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

Calling all PAI’s and PA’s! Do you want a chance to practice your leadership skills? We’re looking for PAI’s and PA’s to help lead our camp. PAI’s can complete three out of six activities towards their PA pins. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out a form below. We will be accepting entries until June 17 at 11:59 p.m. (MDT).
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfJx4GEB0_EUHpRqT25eR0nDQ5UsbZf2sj2EORtBeuDH_C_A/viewform?usp=pp_url

We will be hosting this event through Zoom. A few days prior to June 27, we will send a reminder email, and the link to join. Capacity will be limited, so sign up soon! In addition, we would appreciate you filling out the survey below before attending the camp! If you would like to reach out to us, please feel free to email latingirlsandthefuture2020@gmail.com. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVGLETizobVL2_k8zl1gQaeC-j2oDJdsQN0R50S9vPcPwk8Q/viewform?usp=pp_url

¿Tiene un lugar vacío en su calendario para el 27 de Junio de 9 a 11:30 AM? ¿Tiene un alumno de segundo a quinto grado interesado en aprender más sobre STEM? ¡Únete con nosotros para un evento virtual de día STEM!

Este evento fue creado como parte de un proyecto del Reconocimiento de Oro destinado a involucrar a más niñas de comunidades Latinas y Hispanas en STEM. ¿Sabía que en 2015/2016, las Latinas solo representaban 3.8% de los títulos de licenciatura de STEM en los Estados Unidos?
(“Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Quick Take”. Catalyst, 14 de junio de 2019, www.catalyst.org/research/women-in-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem/)

Hablaremos sobre qué es STEM, el impacto y los beneficios, y haremos algunas actividades prácticas. Si está interesado, pídale a un guardián legal que complete el formulario de registro con el asistente. (Solo necesita completar 1 de los formularios a continuación). La inscripción cierra el 20 de Junio a las 11:59 p.m. (MDT).
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEeVZKy9aQoXn8NR7FSBw6QYaHjbfudpTEvrLF2PyPC-8OIg/viewform?usp=pp_url

PAI y PA

¡Llamando a todos los PAI’s y PA’s! ¿Quieres una oportunidad para practicar tus habilidades de liderazgo? Estamos buscando PAI’s y PA’s para ayudar a dirigir nuestro campamento. Los PAI’s pueden completar 3 de 6 actividades para sus pines de PA. Si está interesado en ser voluntario, complete los formularios a continuación. Aceptaremos entradas hasta el 17 de Junio a las 11:59 p.m. (MDT).
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEeVZKy9aQoXn8NR7FSBw6QYaHjbfudpTEvrLF2PyPC-8OIg/viewform?usp=pp_url

Organizaremos este evento a través de Zoom. Unos días antes del 27 de Junio, le enviaremos un correo electrónico recordatorio y el enlace para unirse. La capacidad será limitada, ¡así que regístrese pronto! Además, le agradeceríamos que complete la encuesta a continuación antes de asistir al campamento. Si desea comunicarse con nosotros, no dude en enviarnos un correo electrónico a latingirlsandthefuture2020@gmail.com. ¡Gracias!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVGLETizobVL2_k8zl1gQaeC-j2oDJdsQN0R50S9vPcPwk8Q/viewform?usp=pp_url

Download PDF Flyer

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.

Meet an Expert: National Weather Service Meteorologist

Girl Scouts of Colorado thanks Megan Stackhouse for co-hosting our “Meet an Expert – National Weather Service Meteorologist” webinar! More than 20 Girl Scouts from across Colorado participated in this webinar on June 4, 2020. Missed it? Listen to the recording now.

Megan is a Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, Colorado. She taught girls about the different tools she uses to predict the weather, her education and background, and walked everyone through a “cloud in a jar” experiment. Megan also showed a video of her team launching a weather balloon and taught us about the lifecycle of a weather balloon. We learned that Megan’s favorite weather experiment is a flash flood display in her office in Grand Junction and her favorite Girl Scout cookie is a Thin Mint!

This “Meet an Expert” session falls under the STEM pillar of Girl Scouts.

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.

Women in STEM Coloring Book

When girls explore what women can achieve in a STEM career, they see the powerful connection between science and making the world a better place. And, she discovers how she can change the world too!

The new Women in STEM Coloring Book highlights six amazing women who use STEM in their daily work, and showcases the wide range of STEM careers that help us build bridges, create apps, grow food, help people stay healthy, protect the planet, and more. Now, girls can get creative as they learn about careers and imagine their own  STEM futures!

These coloring sheets are made possible by a generous grant from IF/THEN,  part of Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ commitment to fund game-changing advancements in science and nature.  IF/THEN’s mission is to inspire the next generation of girls to consider pursuing careers in STEM.

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.

Girl Scouting at Home: “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” Challenges Part Two of Four

Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Outreach Program team has developed a series of “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” Challenges for the week of June 1, 2020. These activities aren’t Girl Scout level-specific. However, they would probably be best for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. Each activity correlates with the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journeys and are weather-related.

In the “Climate around the World” experiment, girls will use items in the house and found outside to model different climates around the world and conduct an experiment on how the sun effects the different climates. Girls will learn the difference between weather and climate and explore climates all over the world!

Watch this video to learn how to use common household kitchen items to make your own hurricane! Girls will learn about the formation of hurricanes and will be able to see how they form.

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.

 

 

Girl Scouting at Home: “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” Challenges Part One of Four

Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Outreach Program team has developed a series of “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” Challenges for the week of June 1, 2020. These activities aren’t Girl Scout level-specific. However, they would probably be best for Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors. Each activity correlates with the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journeys and are weather-related.

Watch this video to learn how to use common household kitchen items to make your own hurricane! Girls will learn about the formation of hurricanes and will be able to see how they form.

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.

 

Girl Scout Workshops with Microsoft

Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to partner with Microsoft to offer online workshops for girls of all ages. Starting Thursday, June 4, 2020, one-hour workshops will be offered each Thursday and Friday through June. These workshops focus on content from the Brownie Computer Expert badge, but are open to Girl Scouts of all levels. Girls will get hands-on experience with the latest technology from Microsoft as they discover the versatility of computers, safe usage, and more.

The workshops are designed to be taken in consecutive order, so do not join a Friday session before taking a Thursday session! You do not need to take each session in the same week.

Girl Scouts must register individually for each session they are planning to attend. Registration closes the day before the session.

Session One: Thursday, June, 4 from 3-4 p.m.

Registration: https://www.microsoft.com/store/event_registration/?eid=711159381&locid=94958

Session Two: Friday, June 5 from 3-4 p.m.

Registration: https://www.microsoft.com/store/event_registration/?eid=1667219084&locid=94958

Session One: Thursday, June 11 from 3-4 p.m.

Registration: https://www.microsoft.com/store/event_registration/?eid=1847921327&locid=94958

Session Two: Friday, June 12 from 3-4 p.m.

Registration: https://www.microsoft.com/store/event_registration/?eid=940152167&locid=94958

Session One: Thursday, June 18 from 3-4 p.m.

Registration: https://www.microsoft.com/store/event_registration/?eid=964241137&locid=94958

Session Two: Friday, June 19 from 3-4 p.m.

Registration: https://www.microsoft.com/store/event_registration/?eid=1507144622&locid=94958

Session One: Thursday, June 25 from 3-4 p.m.

Registration: https://www.microsoft.com/store/event_registration/?eid=86209342&locid=94958

Session Two:  Friday, June 26 from 3-4 p.m.

Registration: https://www.microsoft.com/store/event_registration/?eid=543644666&locid=94958

Please note, these sessions are hosted by Microsoft. Girl Scouts should complete the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge prior to participating.

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.