How Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Helps the Global Economy

How Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Helps the Global Economy

An Op Ed article by Emily Stanley BS MS 
Program Manager, New Initiatives Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois

GSSI's Imagine Your STEM Future Program in East St. Louis

When I was 12, all I wanted to do was be old enough to volunteer at the Belleville Area Humane Society.  I think about half the girls in my junior high were the same – we all wanted to help people and make cute puppies and kittens better.  Today's 12 year old has the same goals for her future – to help.

I see it all the time in my job – girls who want to make a difference in the world and affect real change.  I am fortunate to have a career where I get to be around these girls who are tomorrow's leaders and encourage them.  The girls I work with are part of the Girl Scout movement, specifically the STEM initiative.  Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois has approximately 13,000 girl members who are out to change the world for the better.  My job is to help them have positive experiences that help shape their future goals and contribute to the future of the United States in the Global Economy. 

Here's why it's important to reach all youth, but particularly young women interested in STEM careers.  The US News/Raytheon STEM index in 2014 showed that STEM employment has increased more than 30 percent from 2013 to 2014.  This isn't just the PhDs and researchers.  These are jobs that require analytical reasoning and problem solving.  A USA Today special report also noted that more than 2.5 million well-paying skilled labor jobs will be created over the next several years.  In the St. Louis area, a 12.4% increase in STEM jobs is projected compared to a 9.2% increase in non-STEM jobs, according to the St Louis STEM Workforce 2014 report published by St. Louis Community College.

GSSI Girl Scouts participating in FIRST LEGO League Robotics

With this growth, we will need a skilled and motivated workforce.  That's where Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois helps.  In 2009, we started to look for funding specifically for our Robotics and STEM programs.  We received a grant from Motorola Foundation and fielded one First Lego League robotics team from a small town in rural Illinois.  These girls learned basic computer programming and engineering, but what they learned more importantly was perseverance, team work and problem solving.  From that one robotics team in 2009, we have grown the program to include 10 First Lego League robotics teams, 12 First Lego League Junior teams and one First Tech Challenge team. Working on small, all girl teams, girls take on more active leadership positions.  They try programming and engineering.  They step outside their comfort zones when speaking publicly.

Over 100 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois also participated in a Made by Me camp this past summer, where, in addition to the normal fun outdoor activities like archery, hiking and campfires, girls voted on which Maker projects to try at camp.  The Maker Movement refers to the current wave of tech inspired DIY projects.  Our girls chose a wired light picture, a custom routed phone charging station, solar powered derby cars and battery powered flashlights created from Altoid mint tins.  Girl Scouts participation and sponsorship of Maker events is particularly important – the MakeHers study by Intel found that participation in Maker and STEM activities can help girls develop skills and improve their earning potential.  The study states, "As a result, the STEM talent pool expands, fueling competition and innovation and ultimately strengthening the global economy."

GSSI Family STEM Night 

What ultimately brings success to any program is volunteers.  In 2016, you will see girls learning origami and then wiring their creations with light and movement.  You will see girls learn leadership skills while working on their best slime recipe.  This summer, we will bring another great week of STEM camp – this time the Science of Superheros – and we need volunteer help!  Come for a half day, a couple hours or all week and share your skills to encourage a young woman in STEM!  Bring your girl and watch her grow in this exciting environment and beautiful outdoor setting.

STEM FOR THE SUMMER: GSSI STEM Day Camp (Jr.-Amb)   GSSI Mini STEM Day Camp

We have had a lot of success in the past 6 years and we still have much to do.  In order to continue to meet the demands of girls in our area for high quality and exciting STEM programs, we will need mentors, volunteers and donations.  So when you see that young entrepreneur asking you to buy Girl Scout Cookies, know that you are not just supporting her and her troop but also contributing to the future global competitiveness of the United States!

See what happened when GSSI FIRST TECH Challenge team Oops Robotics! paired Girl Scout Cookies with their design & programming power! 

GSSI STEM Program Team Attends "Spotlight on STEM" Conference

 

 

 

GSSI's STEM Program team Emily & Mary recently participated in a "Spotlight on STEM" conference at Girl Scouts' Edith Macy Conference Center. The conference, sponsored by Noyce Foundation and Techbridge, focused on developing exciting programming, building community partnerships and other ways to engage girls in science, technology, engineering and math.

 

Emily and Mary also gave a presentation about GSSI's successful "Imagine Your STEM Future" program, which provided more than 200 girls in underserved high schools with hands-on activities and learning sessions designed to inspire interest in STEM careers.  The program was funded by a grant from Girl Scouts of the USA and AT&T.

 

See "Imagine Your STEM Future" photos...

 

"It was great learning from GSUSA and from the 40 councils (and GSUSA overseas) the different ways we all implement STEM programming," said Stanley.  "It was an honor to represent our success at the Grant Funded Initiatives Showcase session and really show that GSSI staff and volunteers are experts at implementing tough programming and inspiring girls to succeed."

GSSI Meets With Congressman Rodney Davis

 

 

 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois representatives met with Congressman Rodney Davis on Oct. 1 at his Glen Carbon Office to provide an update on Girl Scouting and seek his support of the Child Protect Act. During the meeting, Girl Scouts also shared with the Congressman various girl programs that are helping to build leaders for America. These girl programs included, Be A Friend First (anti-bullying), healthy living, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math). Pictured: (from left) Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer; Congressman Rodney Davis, 13th District of Illinois; and Emily Stanley, GSSI STEM Manager.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Receives $4,000 Grant From the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) has received a $4,000 grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis to fund STEM programs and financial assistance for girls in East St. Louis.  Girl Scouts’ goal is to send 50 East St. Louis girls to STEM Camp next summer where they will not only experience science and technology, but be able to explore nature and the outdoors as well. 

STEM and robotics are a key component of GSSI’s commitment to giving girls opportunities and guidance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).  By participating in three different robotics leagues at three different age levels, GSSI aims to engage more girls across southern Illinois in STEM, so that they can explore valuable career options, build critical thinking and technical skills and sustain a lifelong interest in topics that many girls drift away from by middle school.

“Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is very grateful to receive this grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis to provide girls in East St. Louis with STEM opportunities,” said Emily Stanley, GSSI STEM Manager.  “Engaging girls in STEM in fun, creative ways helps keep their interest in these valuable career fields, as well as develop their confidence, teamwork and problem solving abilities.”   Stanley added that through valuable partnerships with Boeing and other generous funders, GSSI’s STEM program  serves more than 1,800 girls.

GSSI’s STEM program continues to be a progressive and forward-thinking initiative that has grown exponentially in recent years.  In 2009, GSSI had just one robotics team.  In 2014, GSSI hosted 24 teams.  GSSI has dedicated staff and volunteers who develop the STEM program through research, collaborator cultivation, training and hands-on experience.

GSSI strives to offer diverse and high-quality STEM programming, such as simple circuit wiring, programming robots, exploring forensics and more.  To ensure that all girls have the chance to take advantage of these future-building opportunities, GSSI has integrated STEM activities into its outreach programs – which bring Girl Scouting to girls in underserved populations, such as low income neighborhoods, housing projects, rural communities and even detention centers. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Representatives Discuss Leadership Programming with Congressman Shimkus

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois representatives met with Congressman John Shimkus Tuesday morning at his Maryville Office to provide an update on Girl Scouting and seek his support of the Child Protect Act.

During the meeting, the Girl Scouts also shared with the Congressman various girl programs that are helping to build leaders for America. These girl programs included, Be A Friend First (anti-bullying), healthy living, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math).

Pictured: (from left) Linda Manley, GSSI Board of Director vice chair; Congressman John Shimkus, 15th District of Illinois; Villie M. Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer; and Emily Stanley, GSSI STEM Manager