Awesome! Girl Scouts Just Added 23 New STEM Badges

[demmiblue]

Source: The Mary Sue

Plenty of studies have shown that girls begin to feel excluded from STEM fields at a young age. From the overwhelmingly male portrayals in film and television to the gender-based marketing of STE-related toys, girls grow up subconsciously hearing that science and technology is not a place they inherently belong. To combat that idea and to shrink the gender gap in these fields, we have to reach girls early and make sure they see the same inclusion, the same access to opportunities as young boys.

The Girl Scouts of the USA announced today that they’re introducing 23 new badges in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as the outdoors. I have to say, I’m pretty jealous of anyone who gets to be a Girl Scout today. Check out some of these new badges:



The new badges are meant to address “the lack of exposure many girls have to STEM,” and they’re being introduced into all levels of the organization, even as early as the Daisies, the group for girls in Kindergarten and 1st grade.

To create them, the Girl Scouts have paired with other organizations like GoldieBlox, Code.org, SciStarter, and the Society of Women Engineers.

Read more: https://www.themarysue.com/girl-scouts-stem-badges/

[riversedge]

1. Thanks for post. Nice to know

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. With all due respect: "social innovator"?

Perhaps I need to find out more about what that means, but I'm not now seeing the connection.

Thanks.

[demmiblue]

4. My take: using technology to spread information about important issues...

and, hopefully, bringing like-minded people together in order to effect change.

[blaze]

10. Social Innovator

From the link:

"Social Innovator

Girl Scouts are always on the lookout for ways to help others and make a difference. But how do you go from identifying a social problem to developing a social solution? This badge will show you how! And with the skills of a social innovator in your pocket, you'll be able to create Take Action projects for your Leadership Journeys or your Gold Award that are useful, informed, and truly do change the world.

1. Explore the big picture
2. Make connections
3. Build empathy for people affected by your issue
4. Develop a solution from a specific point of view
5. Practice pitching ideas and getting feedback

When I've earned this badge, I'll know how to think like a social innovator."

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. I don't see the math, science, or engineering. NT

[blaze]

15. Oh, you just have to dig a bit

If you go to this link, you can select STEM as a filter and there you have it!

http://www.girlscouts.org/en/our-program/badges/badge_explorer.html

[Wounded Bear]

3. Sounds great!

[exboyfil]

5. Here is a transcript of the speech

Michelle Obama gave to a Girl Scouts' group. Compare and contrast to our current administration.

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/08/remarks-first-lady-let-girls-learn-event-celebrating-international

[BadgerMom]

6. Girl Scouts as an org vs Boy Scouts as an org

Girl Scouts are awesome. Boy Scouts? Not so much.

[Javaman]

7. Girl Scouts have always been awesome...

when I was a kid and asked to join the boyscouts, I went to one meeting. all the members where the bullies that picked on me. Fuck them.

[Lucinda]

8. KNR

[spooky3]

9. When I was a GS, there was a "Housekeeper" badge.

Glad times are changing.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. I think I have that one.

First thing that popped in my mind - "That's the one with the 2 keys", did a quick search and voila!

[spooky3]

17. Keys are better than aprons, pearls, and high heels :-).

[BumRushDaShow]

18. I think I had 30-some badges between Juniors & Cadettes

I moved them all onto a sweat jacket about 40 years ago and stuffed it in a box that still sits in a closet.

I hear ya though!

[dchill]

11. Why did you leave out what the Boy Scouts are doing?

(Sarc.)

[demmiblue]

12. Lol!

However, I will just say this: The community level BSA is far different from what one would think.

[dchill]

13. Of course. Good leadership is hard to find...

in Republicanworld.