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| TBot 907 displays the Core Values Inspiration Award |
Four GSSI Robotics Teams participated in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) state tournament on Jan. 18 at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana: TBot 907 from Roxana, Lightning Storm from Belleville, The Lego Divas from Effingham and G4S4 from Ozark.
At the State Tournament, TBot 907 won the "Core Values Inspiration" award, which is awarded to the team, "that is empowered by their FLL experience and displays extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit." This is the second award that TBot 907 has won this season -- they also took home the ‘Champions Award" from the Jan. 11 FLL exhibition at Carriel Jr. High.
Girl Scout Robotics teams are part of GSSI’s initiative to engage more girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Studies show that girls tend to drift away from involvement in STEM activities around middle school, despite a continuing interest in STEM subject matter. Other STEM programming at GSSI 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.
"We are so proud that four GSSI Robotics Teams represented Girl Scouts at the FLL State Tournament," said STEM Program Manager Mary Buchanan. "These girls are ambassadors in their communities to show that not only can girls do STEM activities, but they can do them well."
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In 2013-2014, GSSI's Metro East Robotics Teams, including TBot 907 and Lightning Storm, were sponsored by 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 GSSI's Robotic Program:
In 2009, GSSI began its robotics 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.
In 2009, GSSI began its robotics 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. GSSI provides diverse opportunities to build and reinforce 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.”
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!
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves 14,000 girls and 4,800 adult volunteers in more than 40 counties in southern Illinois. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. Girl Scouting is focused on providing a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in the 21st century, while ensuring the traditions and values that have been core to Girl Scouting since its beginning remain strong and relevant.
