Girl Scout leaders want to spark interests in STEM careers at an early age. Tuesday the organization introduced 23 new badges related to science, technology, engineering, math along with the outdoors.
This is Girl Scouts largest addition of new badges in almost a decade. The stem badges were tested and approved by girls. Scouts locally said they are excited to earn them.
Junior Scout Cassandra Shiver is happy to show off the badges she’s earned so far. “I was very proud to say that I had gotten this drawing badge.”
Now she and other girl scouts will be able to get their hands on 23 new STEM related badges. “I would especially like the engineering because I like designing stuff and building stuff,” said Cassandra.
Girl scouts can earn badges through activities like designing race cars, programming robots and going on environmentally conscious camping trips. The goal is to address the lack of exposure many girls have to STEM.
“It’s really amazing to see. The girls, maybe something they’ve been interested in before, but haven’t really been exposed to very well, to be able to say I’m interested in learning about this,” explained Karen Shiver, leader of Troop 469 in Eastern Limestone County.
Troop leaders said the new badges will encourage girls to pursue STEM careers. “Our girls are super excited about camping, super excited about computers and about technology, so I think they’ll be very interested in these badges,” Shiver said.
The new badges also give girls the hands-on experience they need to feel more confident. Scouts said that’s important to them.
“I don’t like sitting in a classroom, and looking on a paper to see all the answers, I like to do hands-on stuff,” said Cassandra.
The STEM badges are available starting this week. Last month, Girl Scouts added cybersecurity badges which will be available over the next two years.
