Monday, February 19, 2024

Building The Future With STEM Starts With You

 



    There’s so much hidden inside the fascinating world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). When Girl Scouts learn about scientists exploring the deepest reaches of space, reaching supersonic flight, or creating new worlds in the metaverse, we show them they have the potential to make the world a better place. Caring adults are essential to encouraging a love for STEM by encouraging girls to explore through hands-on activities as they discover real-life applications and find creative solutions through STEM that help them shape their interests and future. So, we’ve developed a new STEM Playbook, made possible with support from General Motors, to help you confidently deliver fun and interactive STEM programming to girls.


    When Girl Scouts learn about STEM, they learn all sorts of things. Here are a few of the many benefits of introducing STEM into your Troop Year:


Breaking Stereotypes:

    Representation matters. When Girl Scouts don’t see women in STEM, they don’t see themselves pursuing it as an interest. By showing girls they can excel in fields traditionally dominated by men, we open doors to a world of endless possibilities. Proving anyone can be a scientist, engineer, or mathematician. 

Solving Real-World Problems:

    STEM empowers girls to find solutions to real-world problems. Girl Scouts can use their creativity to solve problems they see in their communities. Learning about climate change and plastic pollution, girls can find solutions like designing a water filtration system built from recyclable materials, reducing plastic waste, and providing clean drinking water to their neighbors.  

Inspiring Innovation:

    Girls in STEM bring fresh perspectives to the table. They see problems from unique angles and come up with groundbreaking solutions. When Girl Scouts bring their experience to STEM, they can dream up creative ways to change the world.


Shaping a Brighter Future:

    Imagine a world where more girls pursue STEM. It's a world where diseases are cured, clean energy powers our cities, and climate change is mitigated. It's a world where equality thrives, and opportunities are limitless. 



    When we learn about STEM together we shape a better world, one discovery at a time.

    STEM is about more than just numbers and equations. It's about unlocking the potential within every Girl Scout and empowering them to change the world. Together, we can encourage girls to explore the wonders of STEM, to dream big, and to believe in their ability to make a difference. 


    Girl Scouts has the resources to help. Download the new STEM Playbook, your go-to resource to help you confidently and easily deliver STEM programming. Check out STEM-inspired activities in the Girl Scouts Activity Zone, and the Girl Scouts Destinations Pacific Exploration in STEM to name a few. Together, we can give Girl Scouts the confidence and skills to take on any challenge that comes their way.
Thursday, February 1, 2024

Black History Month: Celebrating and Continuing Legacy

 




    Get ready to be inspired this Black History Month by these remarkable Girl Scouts who are making a significant impact on the world and their communities. These girls embody resilience, and leadership, and are actively shaping history today. Get ready to meet stars who are making waves not just during Black History Month but well beyond!


    What's even more awesome? Each story isn't just about the here and now. It's a continuation of progress, a legacy, and carrying on the work of those who paved the way. So, during February, let's celebrate the possibilities and the work led by today’s girl leaders.


    Last year, Girl Scout Trinity earned her Gold Award with her work, "Educating Youth on Natural Hair Care and Hygiene," celebrating natural hairstyles for girls of color. Collaborating with her team, Trinity authored, illustrated, and published a book celebrating natural hairstyles for girls of color. This book also served as a key resource in workshops Trinity organized, where she shared knowledge on proper hair care and encouraged the embrace of hairstyles that celebrate natural textures, fostering confidence in the process. Additionally, she donated copies of her book to local schools and libraries, to ensure a lasting impact on future readers. Her impact in her community continued, as she conducted book readings for over 350 students, making significant strides in education and representation for girls of color everywhere.


    Girl Scouts Morgan and Maya aimed to inspire positive change in their community through their Silver Award documentary, "Telling Our Story: Charlotte's Black History." Inspired by their Bronze Award project dedicated to civil rights pioneer Dorothy Counts-Scoggins, the girls aimed to uncover and share lesser-known aspects of Charlotte's Black history. The documentary features interviews with influential figures such as Counts-Scoggins, Harvey B. Gantt, and Kass Ottley, exploring various facets of the city's history from the Black perspective. The film showcased the significance of Black leaders in areas like housing, education, culture, and the Black Lives Matter movement. These Girl Scouts also aspire to integrate the documentary into their local curriculum, to help broaden understanding of the city's Black history.
 


    Girl Scout Melia took on a mission to diversify books within her local schools' libraries after noticing a lack of representation in her school library. She was also inspired by the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign and collected nearly 300 books featuring Black girls as main characters. Melia also partnered with a Black woman-owned bookstore in her area to promote African-American-focused literature. The books that were collected were distributed to schools and the Boys and Girls Club, fostering representation and building self-esteem among young readers.
 

    Gold Award Girl Scout alum Rachel, wanted to encourage and equip Black teenage girls aged 14 to 18, for success in their future careers. She noticed the lack of representation of female Black executive leadership in business and wanted to inspire girls early to gain the skills and confidence to step into the world of business. Doing so she created her program Black Girls Mean Business which provides resources such as workshops, networking tools, and even connections to mentors.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Girl Scout Cookies: Unboxing the Girl Powered Future

The sweetest time of year is here! Girl Scout Cookies® are more than delicious treats—they’re building blocks for Girl Scouts to create a more equitable future for themselves and the world. Did you know the proceeds from each purchase stay local and fund Girl Scouts’ ambitions? Whether it's embarking on cross-country trips or supporting local communities, there's no limit to Unboxing the Future.

We asked our community on social how they’ve used past cookie funds, and their answers showed the impactful power of the Girl Scout Cookie Program®! Let’s take a look at how REAL Girl Scout troops have used their cookie money!

Giving Back

Girl Scouts are always looking for ways to make a positive impact in their communities. Many troops use their cookie funds to give back and help others. From donating toys and food to animal shelters to providing household products and food to local families, and bringing holiday cheer to fellow kids, cookie packages are a powerful tool for helping those in need! Moreover, cookie proceeds play a role in supporting Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award projects, which inspiring Girl Scouts use to make a difference by identifying and addressing challenges in their communities.



Badges and Activities

Girl Scouts are the champions our communities crave! Beyond selling cookies and mastering incredible skills, they channel their profits into further learning and adventure. They're shaping the future as leaders, problem-solvers, innovators, and their authentic selves, embodying the spirit of courage, confidence, and character. With each badge earned and every community project undertaken, they're building a brighter tomorrow—one step—and one cookie—at a time. Over the years, cookies have fueled pottery projects, STEM experiments, and even overnight adventures at the zoo and the aquarium!


 

Trailblazing Adventures

Have cookies, will travel! Every year, Girl Scouts across the country turn their cookie money into unforgettable trips, where they forge strong friendships and create lasting memories. Some Girl Scouts have gone on adventures in nature by embarking on weekend camping trips or traveling all the way to Yosemite National Park. Talk about taking a hike! Other Girl Scouts have explored our Movement’s history in Savannah, Georgia. More into thrill-seeking? We’ve had troops take their money to sunny California and Florida to enjoy fun-filled theme parks, and some have even traveled abroad to Europe.




Troop 70643 took two years to save and plan a week-long trip abroad, visiting London and Paris! These Girl Scouts got to see things such as the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and the Eiffel Tower.

These journeys truly give Girl Scouts new perspectives of the world they contribute to!

Entrepreneurship Endeavors



From humble beginnings to remarkable success, the journey of Girl Scout alums Taylor and Sydney Davis traces its roots back to the invaluable lessons learned during their cookie-selling days. Crediting their start-up skills to those early entrepreneurial experiences, they have nurtured the growth of their size-inclusive boutique from the ground up. When you buy a box of Girl Scout Cookies, you are directly investing in the world’s largest girl-run business. Girl Scouts everywhere are developing valuable entrepreneurial talents, just like Taylor and Sydney.

Embrace the sweetness of empowerment this cookie season by supporting local troops. Head over to girlscoutcookies.org to discover your nearest cookie booth and play a part in helping Girl Scouts in your area 'Unbox the Future.' And remember! You can always text "Cookies" to 59618 to stay up to date on all things Girl Scout Cookie.

We can’t wait to see how Girl Scouts will unbox their future this year! Make sure to tag @GirlScouts and use #GirlScoutCookieSeason in all your amazing stories on social media.
Monday, October 30, 2023

Explore the World Of Animals with the New Badges

Girl Scouts are good at so many things, from learning new skills to spreading joy and giving back to their communities. One thing that unites Girl Scouts is their desire to create positive change and help others. With their boundless curiosity, Girl Scouts have the power to make a difference in the world, not only in the lives of people, but also in the lives of every creature we share the planet with: animals!

Animals close to home can provide companionship and support, or make our lives easier. Animals far away can spark a new interest or teach us more about the world. But some animals face danger every day. Because they can't speak up when they need help, it’s our job to protect them. When your Daisy, Junior, or Cadette starts earning one of the new Girl Scout Animal Badges, they’ll embark on a fun journey into the world of animals.

Unlock a NEW badge by downloading one of our free, fun activities! Animal Habitats and Animal Helpers badge—made possible thanks to The Elliott Wildlife Values Project. 

Animal Observer–Daisy (K-1)

Girl Scouts are naturally curious and eager to explore their surroundings. With the new Animal Observer badge, Daisy Girl Scouts will hone in on their observation skills to discover more about animals, near and far. They’ll start by using their senses to identify animal sounds, prints, and behaviors and take notes like an animal scientist. Then they’ll play games to solidify their knowledge and have the chance to visit one of their favorite animals in real life!

Animal Habitats–Junior (4-5)

Animals live in all types of homes—in trees, underground, underwater, and even on glaciers! With the Animal Habitats badge, Junior Girl Scouts can investigate different animal habitats at home and around the world. They’ll use their curiosity to explore animal homes and try their hand at building one. Then they’ll learn about endangered animals and the importance of protecting their habitats to benefit the planet.

Animal Helpers–Cadettes (6-8)

The connection between humans and animals has always existed. Whether animals are serving to protect or provide comfort in difficult times, the animal-human connection is an essential part of human history. With the Animal Helpers badge, Cadette Girl Scouts will learn about this connection and its mutual benefits. They will learn to translate knowledge into action and become advocates for animals by actively participating in organizations dedicated to animal welfare.

The Girl Scout Animal badges not only teach Girl Scouts about their favorite animals, they also help them discover more about the world around them and how to use what they learn to create positive change.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Coining History: Juliette Gordon Low Takes Her Place on the Quarter


Get ready to celebrate because history is in the making! Our very own trailblazer, Juliette Gordon Low, is about to make her mark on American currency. That's right, Juliette Gordon Low, the unstoppable founder of Girl Scouts, has been selected to appear on the American Women Quarters™ in 2025. As Girl Scouts, we're absolutely thrilled and honored by this announcement. Juliette's passion and commitment have always been an inspiration, and now she'll join the ranks of incredible women who have made a difference and will continue inspiring generations for years to come.

What is the American Women Quarters Program, and why is it so significant?

According to the United States Mint: “The American Women Quarters Program is a four-year program that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women of the United States. Beginning in 2022, and continuing through 2025, the U.S. Mint will issue up to five new reverse designs each year.” These quarters pay tribute to women from diverse backgrounds who have left their mark on suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, the arts, and more. It's a powerful recognition of the incredible impact women have had on our nation's history.

Just think about the trailblazers who've graced these quarters to date: Maya Angelou, Bessie Coleman, Celia Cruz, and Eleanor Roosevelt are just a few examples. Now, Juliette Gordon Low is joining their esteemed company, and we couldn't be prouder. Learn more here.

Why is this important?

The selection of Juliette Gordon Low for this prestigious honor on the national stage serves as a powerful reminder that her visionary spirit and the Movement she founded are beacons of hope for every girl. And today, the world needs Girl Scouts more than ever. Low’s legacy comes to life in every Girl Scout and Girl Scout alum who speaks up for what they believe in, leaves the world better than they found it, and blazes a trail of their very own.

How are honorees selected?

Here’s how the Mint describes it: “The Secretary of the Treasury selects the honorees following consultation with the Smithsonian Institution’s American Women’s History Initiative, the National Women’s History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. In 2021, the public was invited to submit recommendations for potential honorees through a web portal established by the National Women’s History Museum.” Want to know more? Learn more about the design process here.

What does the journey to 2025 look like?

While we're all eagerly awaiting the big reveal, let's talk about what's on the horizon. The design of the Juliette Gordon Low quarter will be finalized by spring 2024, and it will be in circulation in 2025. This is the fourth and final year of this historic program featuring coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of 20 American women.

That gives us plenty of time to get excited, plan celebrations, and reflect on the incredible impact Juliette has had on Girl Scouts and the world.

This announcement is a monumental milestone not only for Girl Scouts but for everyone. It's a reminder that the vision and determination of one person can change the course of history. Juliette Gordon Low's journey from trailblazing leader to a face on our nation's currency is a testament to the power of girls and women everywhere.

We invite you to stay connected with us and be part of this historic moment. Don't miss a beat on updates and breaking news from Girl Scouts. Sign up for News from Girl Scouts to stay in the loop.

Let's celebrate Juliette Gordon Low's legacy together as we look ahead to 2025 and beyond!
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