Shea-Porter encourages Girl Scouts at Star Party to stay involved in STEM
BEDFORD, NH | Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains (GSGWM) hosted a visit from Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter during a Star Party advocating for girls in STEM, at the council’s office today.
“I absolutely love the Girl Scouts,” she said, who noted that her own daughter was a Girl Scout. “Girls and STEM go together,” she said.
The Star Party brought about two dozen Girl Scouts of all ages together to learn about space science while having fun at the same time. They made paper mobiles of the solar system, rockets that were propelled by a breath of air, flip books that showed the phases of the moon, and more. One demonstration showed how many layers there are in our atmosphere, by layering liquids with different densities in a jar. All activities integrate crucial elements of STEM learning.
Junior Girl Scout Holly Emery said she liked the edible constellations made from pretzel sticks and marshmallows, and found the astronaut box, where girls manipulated objects in a mock-space laboratory by putting their hands through gloves in the side, interesting.
Shea-Porter had just returned from a trip to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, and talked with the girls about how they are working on a mission to Mars, and how women continue to play an integral role in today’s astronaut program.
Girl Scouts of the USA recently released 30 new badges and two new Journeys for girls to explore engineering, robotics, space science, environmental stewardship and more.
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains was chosen to pilot the Reaching for the Stars program through a partnership with the SETI Institute and NASA’s Space Mission Directorate.
“Girl Scouts continues its tradition of challenging stereotypes and providing girls of all ages with interactive programming,” said Patricia Mellor, GSGWM CEO. “For more than 100 years, our program and badges have provided girls with opportunities to try new things and explore the world, and stars, around them. We are proud that nearly every female who has flown in space was a Girl Scout. By offering Star Parties and the Reaching for the Stars program, we continue our success in developing leaders in STEM.”
Whether making gooey slime with her troop or programming her own robot, Girl Scouts is where girls stretch their STEM skills and live the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ philosophy. Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is happy to have the support of Congresswoman Shea-Porter in its efforts to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who strive to make the world a better place.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our innovative leadership programs help girls discover, connect, and take action as they develop strong values, a social conscience, and a deep sense of self and their potential. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving more than 10,000 girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
