Developed in partnership with General Motors, Girl Scouts'
new playbook will serve as a comprehensive guide for adults, geared
to get girls of all grade levels interested in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM).
NEW
YORK, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Girl
Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), the
largest girl-led organization in the world, announces a new STEM
Playbook, offering guidance, resources and support to all staff,
volunteers and caregivers on how to continue sparking girls'
interest in STEM. This multifaceted playbook, supported by General
Motors, provides adults with ideas to help create hands-on,
exciting activities to engage their Girl Scouts in STEM.
Whether girls are passionate about protecting the environment or
developing an app that saves lives, Girl Scouts' curated program
helps girls explore their passions and reach for the stars. The
program considers the topical problems girls care about and equips
them to take part in building the solutions. With each STEM badge
earned, girls across the country are provided with a multitude of
activities that blend technical skills with the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience (GSLE). Through these badges, Girl Scouts
expand their identities as users, shapers and creators while
gaining the skills, confidence and ambition needed to address the
problems that directly affect their local communities.
With the new playbook in hand, all Girl Scout staff and
supportive adults are equipped with resources and expertise to
support girls through their very own tailor-made STEM journeys.
This playbook serves as a comprehensive guide, walking readers
through a wide variety of topics, including the need for women and
girls in STEM, barriers that often deter girls from exploring STEM
and what can be done to improve accessibility. It provides a
resource directory with topical information, examples of careers,
Girl Scout programs and other opportunities to grow Girl Scouts'
interests and skills. The playbook also uplifts stories of Girl
Scouts and Girl Scout councils already making a difference.
"We are grateful for our partnership with General Motors," said
Bonnie Barczykowski, chief executive
officer of GSUSA. "This new playbook provides the support our troop
leaders and volunteers want and need as they engage in STEM
activities with their Girl Scouts in exciting new ways."
With Girl Scouts earning more than 5 million STEM badges since
2018, Girl Scout councils have voiced a need for additional
resources to support Girl Scouts' participation in STEM
experiences. With increased investment in STEM
programming, councils can ensure that troop leaders and
supportive adults have easily accessible support and resources to
confidently usher girls though their individual journeys. Many
adults who work with Girl Scouts are not science or engineering
experts, and that's okay—Girl Scouts' program is designed for
non-experts. Offering resources like this playbook will make the
supportive adults in Girl Scouts' lives more comfortable with
engaging in STEM activities and make it easier for them to
facilitate opportunities for girls to explore their interests and
possible career paths.
"From the launch of the Automotive Badge series to this new STEM
playbook, General Motors is proud of our work with Girl Scouts of
the USA over the last five years,"
said Kristen Puchek, chief
diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at General Motors.
"Programs like these are inspiring the next generation of women
leaders and visionaries in STEM fields and are a real asset to our
industry."
Girl Scouts is dedicated to ensuring girls across the nation
have the confidence, courage, and character needed to take on the
world of STEM. To access Girl Scouts' STEM activities and more
visit girlscouts.org/STEM.
We Are Girl Scouts of the USA
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to
build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl
Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically
themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new
challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the
top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for
climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by
trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl
Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that
affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer,
reconnect, or donate,
visit girlscouts.org.
About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on
advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible
to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery
platform, which will power everything from mass-market to
high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries, and
its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet,
Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun, and Wuling brands. More information
on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global
leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at
https://www.gm.com/commitments/social-impact/stem-education.
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SOURCE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE U.S.A.