STEM for Her
March 01, 2024
STEM For Her: 5 Ways USA Girl Scouts Overseas Supports Future STEMinists
Every year Girl Scouts across the world celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This year (2024), on Saturday, February 10th, Girl Scouts from China, Korea, Germany, Italy and even Pennsylvania joined the monthly USA Girl Scouts Overseas program, STEMinists: Adventures in STEM with Everyday Superheroes. These young scientists were introduced to Nadia Akkawi, a finance manager, to learn about the math behind large scale energy projects! Girl Scouts learned about her career, asked questions, and helped calculate how some of the largest wind and solar farms are built. The STEMinist program, the STEM badges, and Girl Scout Camps are some of the ways Girl Scouts Overseas has been working to spark STEM interest and change the perception of STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) for Girl Scouts.
Keep reading to learn more about the many ways that Girl Scouts Overseas is introducing STEM to the scientists of tomorrow:
STEMinists: Adventures in STEM with Everyday Superheroes ( Virtual )
Every month Erin Twamley introduces Girl Scouts across the world to women working in STEM Careers. This virtual program, launched in 2020, aims to share the careers and experiences in STEM with Girl Scouts. Participants in the program get the opportunity to hear from STEM role models in disciplines ranging from microbiology to cosmetic science to civil engineering and more. Each STEM Superhero leads the girls in an interactive activity and gives them a taste of what it’s like to be in their field. The virtual nature of this program gives all Girl Scouts around the world the opportunity to participate and get introduced to STEM.
STEMinists: Adventures in STEM with Everyday Superheroes (In-Person Events)
In addition to the virtual monthly programming, the STEMinist initiative has expanded into holding in person events in Europe. This gives girls an opportunity to try out different STEM activities and develop an interest in something new. Many of these in person programs give Girl Scouts a chance to use specialized supplies that they may not have access to at home. Robotics day was held in Germany in November 2023 and in Belgium in February 2024. STEMinist in-person comes to Taiwan this Spring 2024.
USA Girl Scouts Overseas Camps
Camp is a great way for Girl Scouts to meet others, earn badges, be outdoors, and experience more STEM. Since USAGSO re-launched camp in Summer 2023, we’ve integrated STEM into every camp session at every program grade level. In 2023, each camper got a chance to be an engineer by making a bristlebot. Campers were able to overcome challenges and reevaluate their processes, celebrate the triumph of making their mini robots solve a maze, and overall enjoyed having an engaging, hands-on STEM experience. In 2024, campers at all three camp sessions can look forward to more STEM and environmental science programming!
An essential part of Girl Scouts is earning badges, and badgework is yet another way for girls to get exposure to STEM! From the Daisy “Math in Nature” badge to the “Water” badge for Ambassadors, there are so many different STEM badges that Girl Scouts can earn with their troops, at events, or on their own. STEM badges give girls the chance to explore new topics in depth and develop their own areas of interest.
Special Programs and Partnerships
USAGSO encourages STEM exploration with special events and programs that happen throughout the year in collaboration with program partners. Girl Scouts get a chance to be citizen scientists with the annual Stall Catchers Catch-A-Thon. And, during Month of the Military Child, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University hosts a space-themed, virtual program where Girl Scouts will hear about inspiring, female STEM role models and try some fun, hands-on STEM activities. There is always something new and exciting to learn with USAGSO!
Have an idea of how USAGSO could support STEM? Send us an email at overseascustomercare@girlscouts.org!
