Five Girl Scouts from Avant Elementary School in Washington
Park will be featured as part of United Way of Greater St. Louis’ annual
fundraising campaign. Diavion, Jordan, Akayla, Mallorie and R’moni, all
11-year-olds, make up Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ robotics team called
the Robotic Gems. In 2012, the team was awarded the "Core Values" award in the FIRST LEGO League's regional tournament held at McKendree University.
Later this fall, the five Girl Scouts will not only be
featured in the United Way video, but will be seen on billboards and posters
throughout the Metro-East. The Robotic Gems is one of 25 robotic teams that
GSSI has formed as the center of their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering &
Math) initiatives. “We are so proud of these girls and they represent well what
today’s Girl Scouts are doing to hone their skills and learn more about
possible careers in STEM fields,” said Emily Stanley, GSSI STEM Manager. “Our
goal is to build and reinforce girls’ interest in STEM, to support their
continued involvement as they reach critical decision-making points and to
achieve parity in these fields. Thanks to Girl Scouting’s STEM initiatives, we
are providing today’s girls the courage, confidence and character to make the
world a better place,” Stanley added.
GSSI's robotics program has grown from one team in 2009 to 25 teams in three leagues in 2013-14. To learn more about joining GSSI's robot revolution, please contact STEM Program Manager and robotics coordinator Mary Buchanan at 800.345.6858 or e-mail mbuchanan@gsofsi.org.
GSSI is a proud partner of several United Ways that serve our 40 1/2 county jurisdiction.
