Girl Scouts
New Badges Research
I am currently excited about the new badges that have opened up for this school year.
Girl Scouts have been helping girls explore STEM with badges geared toward their interests and age levels. At the beginning of each year, as a Troop Leader and mom, I research what the latest badges cover so I can present them to the girls to see which they want to work on. The GS program is a girl-led leadership program and we have the girls discuss and vote on which badges they want to learn about and how they will complete them. This year they will do research as well on these - there is a mix of interests in our troop and girls gravitate towards one of three main themes: outdoor skills, STEM skills, and community engagement skills. We rotate through informally so all girls can lead what they are passionate about and learn from others who geek out over skills and concepts that are new to them. It is magic to see how they encourage each other and help each other learn, practice, and share these new skills.
Over the last four years, our 16 girls have completed badges in:
I am currently excited about the new badges that have opened up for this school year.
Girl Scouts have been helping girls explore STEM with badges geared toward their interests and age levels. At the beginning of each year, as a Troop Leader and mom, I research what the latest badges cover so I can present them to the girls to see which they want to work on. The GS program is a girl-led leadership program and we have the girls discuss and vote on which badges they want to learn about and how they will complete them. This year they will do research as well on these - there is a mix of interests in our troop and girls gravitate towards one of three main themes: outdoor skills, STEM skills, and community engagement skills. We rotate through informally so all girls can lead what they are passionate about and learn from others who geek out over skills and concepts that are new to them. It is magic to see how they encourage each other and help each other learn, practice, and share these new skills.
Over the last four years, our 16 girls have completed badges in:
- mechanical engineering
- cybersecurity
- physics
- space science
- coding and computer science
- robotics
- entomology
From the Girl Scouts' announcement for 2021 new badges:
Math in Nature (Daisies through Juniors)
After a year of learning inside, it’s time to get outdoors! The new Math in Nature badges build on one another as Girl Scouts learn about shapes, numbers, and design in nature. They’ll plan a hiking adventure, create trail maps, and design a bird feeder—all while learning math concepts and how they apply outside the classroom.
The new Math in Nature badges also boost girls’ interest and confidence in STEM; they’re more likely to connect with STEM concepts when they’re linked to things they love, such as outdoor time and helping others.
Cookie Business (Daisies through Ambassadors)
With more and more consumers shopping online, girls learn to think beyond the storefront and meet their cookie customers where they are through the Digital Cookie® platform. The 13 new Cookie Business badges are packed with activities to support every Girl Scout as they work collaboratively, set goals for themselves, and finesse their digital marketing campaigns. Girl Scouts of all ages will be ready to take their cookie business to the next level!
Digital Leadership (Daisies through Ambassadors)
Technology can help girls empower themselves and others—and by earning Digital Leadership badges, Girl Scouts of every age can do just that! They’ll learn about digital literacy and wellness and use what they’ve learned to raise awareness on a topic or cause they care about.
2021 Global Action Award: Sustainable Development The Girl Scout Global Action Award calls for girls to address the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by discovering, connecting, and taking action in their communities and the world. This year's award goal focuses on Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Read more: Four Ways Girl Scouts Builds Girl Leaders in STEM (PDF)
Browse the Badge Listing to see the full set of what Girl Scouts do
I am open to meeting girls virtually for troop meetings where they want to interview a woman in tech, engineer, or leader. I am a third generation Girl Scout and earned my Gold Award. Just reach out.
