Friday, January 7, 2022

The 411 on a New STEM-Focused Adventure Developed with Amazon


Make space for girls to lead! As the world continues to become more technology-driven and today’s workforce looks to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for new ideas and discoveries, it is more important now than ever to harness the unique insights, skills, and potential of girls.

The current generation of girls will soon enter a fast-changing workforce in need of innovative thinkers. This presents an enormous opportunity for Girl Scouts to dream big and do even bigger. However, according to the Girl Scout Research Institute’s Generation STEM report, 74% of teen girls are interested in STEM, but their interest fades as they move through middle and high school. That’s why inspiring and exposing girls to even more unique opportunities will help them lead, break barriers, and create positive change in their communities and globally. If she can see it, she can be it! So, together with Amazon, we’ve designed an adventure your Girl Scout is going to love, even if STEM is not her thing.

Here are three key things you need to know:

What Is This New Experience and Who Can Participate?

What exactly happens behind the scenes when you shop at Amazon? How is Amazon able to fulfill so many customers’ orders each day? What kind of technology is used and how are Amazon’s massive fulfillment centers so efficient? Your girl will explore the answers to these and many other interesting questions with the Girl Scouts Amazon Fulfillment Center Tours. Girls will have an opportunity to see STEM put into action in the workplace and get inspired by exploring computer science, robotics, engineering, and creative problem-solving.

Did you know that many Amazon fulfillment centers span the equivalent of 28 football fields and can hold tens of millions of items on any given day? All that space and product means room for innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, and Girl Scouts get front row seats to it. Expect fun activities, quizzes, mind-blowing facts, and a special behind-the-scenes look at the fulfillment center operations, developed especially for Girl Scouts—EPIC! The two tour options, in-person and virtual, are specifically tailored to younger and older girls so that all grade levels can enjoy! There’s also a snazzy new patch your girl won’t want to miss.

How to Participate?

Girl Scouts Amazon Fulfillment Center Tours will be available virtually on Girl Scout Activity Zone (former Girl Scouts at Home) as well as in-person at Amazon fulfillment center locations. All in-person tours will follow COVID-19 protocols for the safety of everyone participating. At this time, in-person tours are only accessible at select fulfillment centers and are therefore only available at these Girl Scout councils:

• Girl Scouts Heart of Central California
• Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
• Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey
• Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
• Girl Scouts of Central Texas
• Girl Scouts of Colorado
• Girl Scouts of Gateway
• Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana
• Girl Scouts of Minnesota & Wisconsin River Valleys
• Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland
• Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio
• Girl Scouts of San Jacinto
• Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England
• Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians
• Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada
• Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains
• Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida
• Girl Scouts of Utah
• Girl Scouts of Western Washington
• Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast
• Girl Scouts—Arizona Cactus-Pine
• USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO)

When Will It Be Available?

Mark your calendars! Virtual tours will be available starting Spring 2022—the exact date will be announced soon. As for in-person experiences, be sure to follow Girl Scouts’ social media channels to get the most up-to-date info. Once in-person tour dates are announced, check with a participating council (listed above) for local guidance and details.

Let’s face it. We live in a world dominated by technology. So, whether your girl dreams of becoming a programmer, a robotics engineer, or a fashion designer, through this new experience, she’ll learn the value of using STEM creatively and thinking like an innovator. The Girl Scouts Amazon Fulfillment Center Tours will spark her curiosity and expose her to awesome opportunities—she’ll get inspired and stay inspired.

Special thanks to Amazon for partnering with us! Through our partnership, we plan to educate hundreds of girls in grades K–12 about critical STEM concepts, such as algorithms, computer coding, and robotics engineering. Girl Scouts attending the tours, in-person or virtually, will have the opportunity to see these concepts come to life as Amazon employees work side by side with robots in fulfillment centers. Amazon is also providing grants to select Girl Scout councils to help even more Girl Scouts experience this unique, real-world STEM experience.
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