Girl
Scouts from throughout southern Illinois gathered at Camp Torqua in
Edwardsville on Sept. 14 to participate in Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois’ STEM Kickoff event. During the morning,
girls learned about natural disasters that affect the metro-east area and in
the afternoon they worked on programming robots and planning strategy for this
year’s FIRST Lego League robotics
competitions, which have the theme “Nature’s Fury.” See photos...
In 2009, GSSI began its STEM and
robotic journey with one robotic team. This
year, GSSI is sponsoring 25 Girl Scout robotics teams in three different
leagues. Robotics teams are a key
component to GSSI’s initiative to get more girls in southern Illinois
interested and involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM). Other STEM programming ranges
from doing basic chemistry experiments with younger girls to teaching financial
literacy during the Girl Scout Cookie Program to introducing older girls to
career mentors in engineering and medicine.
“Engaging girls in STEM in exciting, relevant ways is
vital,” said GSSI STEM program manager Mary Buchanan. “Research shows that many
students, especially girls, drift away from STEM around middle school. Today’s kickoff is just one of the ways GSSI
is providing diverse opportunities to build and reinforce girls’ interest in
these important fields. As shown by our
growth in the number of robotics teams, many girls are searching for ways to
stay involved in STEM and we strive to provide them with unique and
constructive experiences.”
“I like working with the Girl Scouts robots and
technology and making solutions to problems,” said Caroline Stewart from
Belleville. “I get a leadership
experience not only by programming the robots, but working with the younger
girls and sharing with them my love of technology and robots,” Caroline, who is 14, has been with GSSI’s
robotic program for 4 years.
GSSI’s metro-east FIRST Lego League teams are
funded by United Way of Greater St. Louis and through a $20,000 grant from
the Monsanto Fund. “Girl Scouts of
Southern Illinois is very grateful to be able to provide even more girls with a
STEM opportunity and a chance to compete on a robotics team through the
financial support from the Monsanto Fund and the United Way,” said Villie M.
Appoo, GSSI Chief Executive Officer.
“Working together, we are ensuring girls in southern Illinois are
learning about STEM and robotics, gaining confidence in building and
programming robotics and starting to think about a possible STEM career,” Appoo
added. “Thanks to our United Way and the
Monsanto Fund partners, Girl Scouts is keeping girls engaged in STEM in fun and
creative ways which will help keep them interested in these important career
fields, as well as develop their confidence, teamwork and problem solving
abilities.”
Girl Scouts has a long history of
encouraging girls to participate in STEM.
The first STEM badges – the electrician badge and the flyer badge – were
introduced in 1913!
Robotics teams are a key
component to GSSI’s initiative to get more girls in southern Illinois
interested and involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM). GSSI currently participates in three different robotics leagues: FIRST Lego League, which is run during the fall, and Jr. FIRST Lego League and Botball, which run during the spring semester of school. Other STEM programming ranges from doing basic chemistry
experiments with younger girls to teaching financial literacy during the Girl
Scout Cookie Program to introducing older girls to career mentors in engineering
and medicine. To get involved in GSSI's STEM program, please contact Mary Buchanan at 800.345.6858, ext. 1115 or e-mail mbuchanan@gsofsi.org.
About the Monsanto Fund
The
Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and
Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.
About United Way of Greater St. Louis
United Way funds more than 170 health and human service
agencies located throughout a 16-county area in Missouri and Illinois. One in
three people in our community receive services that strengthen families, help
the elderly, keep children healthy and safe, and build stronger neighborhoods.
For more information, contact 314-421-0700 or visit www.stl.unitedway.org.
