A new Think Like a Citizen Scientist Girl Scouts journey was released this morning in collaboration with SciStarter as part of the Girl Scouts of USA’s announcement that it is adding 23 new badges related to science, technology, engineering, math and the outdoors. Girl Scouts can now earn badges through activities like programming robots, citizen science, designing model race cars, writing code and going on environmentally conscious camping trips. The Girl Scouts of the USA, founded in 1912, created these badges in collaboration with organizations like Code.org, SciStarter, GoldieBlox and the Society of Women Engineers.
Here’s more information on the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey
Here’s more information on the Girl Scouts’ STEM initiatives
“Girl Scouts is thrilled to collaborate with SciStarter on new citizen science programming, which will allow girls around the country to substantively contribute to and impact research that professional scientists are conducting,” said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. “Connecting Girl Scouts with SciStarter’s enriching platform further enhances our engaging and comprehensive STEM programming. Girls who participate in the ‘Think Like a Citizen Scientist’ series will be fully immersed in the scientific process—some for the first time―as well as gain a broadened understanding that science is for everyone.”
“Girl Scout programs inspire and support girls to take action on an issue, and make their efforts sustainable,” said Darlene Cavalier, Founder of SciStarter and Professor of Practice at Arizona State University. “We are excited to help mobilize Girl Scouts across the country to advance scientific research while applying new SciStarter 2.0 analytics tools so the Girl Scouts of the USA can understand what types of citizen science projects appeal to girls, and use that information to continue to offer even more relevant and impactful STEM programming for girls.”
Girls will earn their badges by completing one of seven citizen science projects with the option of continuing their Journey with their choice of 30 additional, vetted projects featured on SciStarter. The selected projects exemplify ways citizen science can engage people of all ages to advance scientific research. The projects use clear protocols, and simple tools and instruments, making them accessible for Girl Scout troops and leaders across the country. The seven projects get girls engaged in science in the outdoors in a new, unique way. Finally, the projects integrate SciStarter affiliate tools, making it possible for the Girl Scouts to use SciStarter’s analytics to understand what types of projects attract, engage, and sustain involvement among girls. The seven projects are:
Stream Selfie, Ant Picnic, Project Squirrel, iSeeChange, NASA GLOBE Observer, Nature’s Notebook, Globe at Night.
The “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” Journey—a form of Girl Scout programming that includes several troop meetings dedicated to the topic—begins in a Girl Scout troop and online with SciStarter. A troop learns how to make and share careful observations to contribute to research efforts. Next, the troop decides how to take action: they discuss the scientific research they’ve done and identify a related problem, come up with a creative and sustainable solution, put a team plan into action, and document their project on SciStarter. The girls have now earned an award for completing the “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” Journey!
If you manage a project you’d like us to consider for the “additional projects” or future Journeys, please add it to the SciStarter project finder and email GirlScouts@SciStarter.com to indicate your interest.
Our goal at SciStarter is to help as many people as possible discover and participate in awesome projects!
Now…please go encourage your favorite Girl Scout to begin her journey to Think Like A Citizen Scientist!
