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STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Science and technology play a big part in just about everything we do and how we do it. It's all about discovering, creating, and solving mysteries-things that today's girls are good at. Girls push boundaries, test limits, and look at the world around them with inquisitive eyes. They're natural scientists! Although young girls are precocious learners (they learn to talk, read, and write earlier than boys), by fifth grade many girls shy away from math and science. Academic stereotypes and lack of encouragement for girls have caused fewer girls to take science or math classes than boys and to pursue further education/careers in these fields. According to the National Science Foundation, women constitute 46% of the U.S. labor force, but only 22% of scientists and engineers. Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is working to reverse this gender gap.
Girl Scouts introduces girls of every age to science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) activities that are relevant
to everyday In addition to these GSUSA science initiatives, the Girl Scout Research Institute continuously researches the need for and effectiveness of engaging girls in science and technology not only from a young age, but through their adolescent years. The most recent Girl Scout Research Institute publication on this topic is "The Girl Difference: Short-Circuiting the Myth of the Technophobic Girl. Ever since the birth of Girl Scouting in 1912, Girl Scouts have challenged conventional attitudes concerning girls and science. Beginning in 1913 with a Girl Scout handbook on how to teach natural history, girls have learned the importance of science in their society. Today, Girl Scouts have more opportunities than ever before to reap the benefits of informal education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. From hands-on experience in engineering, electronics, and computer repair to after school science clubs, GSUSA supports a wide variety of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology initiatives. Here are two ways Girl Scouts helps girls build strong, hands-on foundations to become future female leaders and meet the growing need for skilled science and technology professionals in the United States: Environmental Awareness
Leadership and Self-Esteem Today's Girl Scouts are tomorrow's leaders. Through activities that build self-confidence, creative decision-making skills, and teamwork, girls develop real-world leadership abilities that will last them a lifetime. By working towards such earned age-level awards as the Lead On Badge or the Leadership Interest Project Award, girls can interview female leaders, set goals, build team spirit and communication skills, develop successful problem-solving techniques, and learn to trust themselves in any situation. Girl Scouts - Zia Council will use resources from PBS, NASA, LEGO Robotics, The Franklin Science Museum, The Girl Solution and many more to lead girls of today into careers of tomorrow. Girl Scouts - Zia Council is offering elementary, junior high and high school girls hands on after school and lunch programs to ensure their interest in math, and science in school as well as the opportunity for a career tomorrow. Girls Scouts in Roswell, Dexter, Artesia, Hobbs, Carlsbad, and Alamogordo are participating in after school and lunch S.T.E.M. programs in local schools. For more information on how to get your school involved please call (575) 622-7801 or (800) 746-9846. |
New
inventions, new products, new ideas, and better ways of doing things!
Every day it seems like things are getting stronger, faster, and easier.
It's all happening so fast that it's an exciting time for girls to think
about what the future holds for them. 
life. Whether they're discovering how a car's engine runs,
becoming math whizzes, or learning about careers in STEM fields, girls
are moving forward into the future. They can host science fairs, design
Web sites, plan for space exploration, visit geological sites, and more.
Through collaborative Girl Scout science projects more and more girls
are gaining confidence, technological skills, career exploration
opportunities, and hands-on experience in science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology. 
Through
Girl Scouting, girls see the earth as their home. Whether they're
learning about endangered wildlife, developing creative recycling
projects, or working towards such earned age-level awards as the
Environmental Health Badge or the Eco-Action Interest Project Award,
girls focus on care, conservation, and responsibility and ensure the
safety of our planet for future generations.