Roxana Girl Scouts Work on Community Garden for Challenge & Change Project

 

 

 

Girl Scouts in Roxana have been working on a community garden for their Challenge and Change project.  Challenge and Change is a program funded United States Department of Agriculture to strengthen rural communities. Girls become change-makers through such programs as they envision and start long-term community service projects in their very own communities.

 

Girls begin with an initial day long training where they learn leadership, problem solving and entrepreneurial skills through a comprehensive curriculum. Led by trained facilitators, the girls discover what effective leadership looks like, connect with local experts and take action by digging into issues affecting their communities. After the training, girls recruit a community action team, including an adult who serves as their community champion, to turn their good idea into a sustainable, long-term project.

 

In Roxana, Girl Scouts from Service Unit 101 have created a Heritage Garden to highlight different plans and natural features of Southern Illinois.  They are partnering with the Roxana Parks and Recreation Department, The Nature Institute and Tom the Plant Guy to offer engaging learning and service experiences for students and local community members.

 

 

GSSI Receives Challenge and Change Grant from U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois received another grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with Girl Scouts of the USA, to implement Challenge and Change projects in three Southern Illinois communities.  The three communities where girls will plan and implement a project are Pontoon Beach, Roxana and Anna.  

Challenge and Change: Challenge Yourself, Change the World strengthens rural communities. Girls become change-makers through such programs as they envision and start long-term community service projects in their very own communities. Girls begin with an initial day long training where they learn leadership, problem solving and entrepreneurial skills through a comprehensive curriculum. Led by trained facilitators, the girls discover what effective leadership looks like, connect with local experts and take action by digging into issues affecting their communities. After the training, girls recruit a community action team, including an adult who serves as their community champion, to turn their good idea into a sustainable, long-term project.

Pontoon Beach- Girls in SU 102 are excited to work with leaders to create a community park or garden in the Pontoon Beach area.  They have met with the mayor and have secured a plot of land and are meeting with community members to determine needs and resources.

Roxana- Girls in SU 101 are creating a Heritage Garden in Roxana which will highlight different plants and natural features of So IL.  They will be partnering with the Parks and Recreation to offer learning experiences for schools to bring students as well as encouraging participation from community members of all ages. 

Anna- Homework Pals is a continued project which offers a tutoring program to Elementary students in Anna IL.  This past school year, the tutoring program has moved locations from the local library to the Elementary school which now houses a new library funded by this grant.  Starting in July, a summer reading program is being implemented so that students can continue their learning throughout the summer as well.

GSSI Robotics Team TBot 907 Wins Core Values Inspiration Award at State Tournament

 

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.

“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. 

 

Four GSSI Robotics Teams Take Home Awards at FIRST LEGO League Tournament

GSSI Teams mingle while waiting to compete on game table.

Four GSSI Robotics Teams took home awards at the FIRST LEGO League Robotics Tournament at Carriel Jr. High in O'Fallon on Jan. 11, 2014.The tournament was an exhibition that made up for the McKendree University Regional that was cancelled due to weather in December.  Because of the large number of teams participating, squads were split into two groups that competed in identical tournaments, "Class A" and "Class B."

Teams from the McKendree University Regional were selected to advance to the state tournament by lottery after the cancellation.  While the tournament at Carriel Jr. High did not determine which teams qualified for state competition, awards were given for remarkable performance. 

GSSI teams receiving awards were:

Class A Tournament:

TBot 907 from Roxana earned the "Champions Award" for the team that displayed the best overall performance.

Gir! - Girls Investigating Robots from Staunton earned the "Core Values Award" for best exemplifying the cornerstones of the FLL program, which include active participation, teamwork and gracious professionalism.

The Tornado Twist*rs from Albers earned the "Rookie Award" for the best first-year team.

Class B Tournament:

Lightning Storm of Belleville earned the "Judges Award" for the team that the FLL Judges found to be remarkable.

Additional teams to compete in the Jan. 11 tournament were The Purple Robot Penguins from O'Fallon, The Fireworks from Glen Carbon, The Catastrophic Cadettes from Staunton and Robo Fury from Alton.  In addition, two GSSI teams, Shiloh Robo Bears and The Tornado Tech Girls from Pinckneyville were unable to attend the rescheduled tournament. GSSI also had four Girl Scout Robotics teams participate in a Regional Qualifying tournament on Dec. 7: The Lego Divas from Effingham, The Twisters from Troy/Marine, The Robotic Gems from Washington Park and The Unknowns from Belleville.

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Four GSSI Robotics Teams will compete at the FLL State Tournament on Jan. 18 at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.  These teams are TBot 907, Lightning Storm, The Lego Divas and G4S4 from Ozark. 

Four GSSI Robotics Teams Headed to State Competition

The Lego Divas from Effingham 

Four GSSI Robotics Teams are headed to the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) state tournament on Jan. 18 at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

FLL is a robotics program for 9 to 14 year olds which is designed to get children excited about science and technology, as well as teach them valuable life skills.   Teams use a LEGO MINDSTORMS set to build and program an autonomous robot to score points on a themed playing surface.  The theme for this year’s tournament was “Nature’s Fury” and concerned natural disasters and how science can help aid prevention and recovery efforts.  Along with programming robots, teams were also evaluated on an elaborate research project, as well as how well they demonstrate FLL Core Values, which include teamwork, collective learning, active participation and gracious professionalism.  After practicing and preparing for months, teams meet at regional qualifying tournaments to be graded on the three elements, with the top teams advancing to state competition.

On Dec. 7, the Lego Divas from Effingham advanced to the state tournament after competing at the O'Fallon regional qualifier at Carriel Jr. High.  They also took home the Project Award for their outstanding research project, the "Heat Buddy" a battery operated heated blanket designed to help stranded motorists.  

At the O'Fallon tournament, The Twisters from Troy/Marine completed the tournament with the fourth highest table score, while the Robotic Gems from Washington Park and The Unknowns from Belleville also had good showings during the competition.

On Dec. 14, eleven GSSI Robotics Teams had been scheduled to compete in the McKendree University Regional Qualifier.  However, a winter storm and icy road conditions caused the event to be cancelled.   As no makeup date could be arranged, eight teams were selected to advance to the state tournament through a lottery system.  GSSI teams made up nearly half of the total numbers of teams that were registered for the double tournament and three teams drawn ended up being from GSSI.   

The qualifying teams are:  TBot907 from Roxana, Lightning Storm from Belleville and G4S4 from Ozark. 

Other GSSI teams who were scheduled for the McKendree regional are: The Tornado Twisters from Albers, Tornado Tech Girls from Pinckneyville, Robo Fury from Godfrey, GIR! Girls Investigating Robots from Staunton, Catastrophic Cadettes from Staunton, The Fireworks from Glen Carbon, The Purple Robot Penguins from O’Fallon and The Shiloh Robo Bears from Shiloh.

"We are so proud of all of our GSSI Robotics Teams and excited that we have four teams competing in the FIRST LEGO League state tournament, " said GSSI's STEM Program Manager Mary Buchanan.  "Coaches and girls put countless hours of work into programming their robot, completing their research and practicing their presentation to get ready for FLL tournaments.  The girls are learning a lot -- not just about programming and research, but also about persistence, working together and dedication to achieving a goal." 

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.

“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. 

Have You Read GSSI's Girl Scout Stories?

Read personal experiences of GSSI Girl Scouts, volunteers and alumnae through GSSI's Girl Scout Stories!   Visit our website, www.gsofsi.org, or click the links below to read unique and interesting first-hand experiences from Girl Scouts throughout southern Illinois.

Girl Stories:

Troop #370 from Edwardsville: We Campaigned Against Bullying
TBot 907 from Roxana: From Rookie Robotics to Global Innovators
Katie Bowen from Staunton: Wild Times in Costa Rica
Samantha Lucy from Mason: One Summer, Two Trips
Claire Rankin from Carterville: Touring Europe with My Sister
Jordan Rankin from Carterville: From London to Lucerne
Shelby Wratchford from Fults: I Took My Dream Trip to Paris

Volunteer Stories:

Helen Holbert from Edwardsville: A Girl Scout Bond That Lasts
Paula Sherdian: Girl Scouts Going Strong in Oblong


Do you have a unique Girl Scout story?  Contact Erin Johnson at 800.345.6858 or ejohnson@gsofsi.org.

Tara Holbrook from Roxana Named February Pearl of the Month

Glen Carbon, Illinois – GSSI is pleased to announce that Tara Holbrook from Roxana has been named the February Pearl of the Month. The Pearl of the Month Award recognizes a Girl Scout volunteer who has delivered service beyond expectations and helped to ensure that the approximately 14,000 Girl Scouts in southern Illinois benefit from a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  Nominees must meet several criteria, including completion of all required training for his or her volunteer position as well as providing outstanding service to his or her Service Unit or the Council.

Tara is the leader of Troop #907 and coaches the GSSI Robotics Team TBot 907, which competed in a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) regional tournament in December 2012. Despite having no prior robotics experience, Tara led her girls to build and program an autonomous robot using a Lego NXT Robotic kit & software. She also helped the girls complete an extensive research project related to the FLL challenge, Senior Solutions, which prompted teams to address a problem faced by the elderly.

 For their project, TBot 907 invented a sliding cell phone cover with hidden illuminated magnifier, which they demonstrated during the tournament.   Although TBot 907 did not advance in the FLL tournament, Tara helped the girls enter their invention in the FIRST Global Innovation contest -- which only a small percentage of FLL teams do. To make the experience even more dynamic, Tara arranged for a patent attorney to educate the girls on how to secure a patent for an invention, and arranged for a graphic artist to help the girls make a promotional video. Because of Tara’s dedication, the girls in TBot 907 were able to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the growing fields science, technology, engineering and math.

 The mission of Girl Scouting states:  Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.   Girl Scouts is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to girls - all girls - where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.  In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives - like strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork.  Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912.