Has anyone else noticed that more and more of our complex world is becoming automated? Robotics, and its heavy STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) focus, is sweeping the nation. Factories are progressively relying on automation for production, using machines with increasingly complex software, and as we mentioned in our post National Engineers Week, STEM careers are growing five times faster than any other occupation.

While recognizing that Girl Scouts is about so much more than preparing girls for future careers, recent research (Generation STEM: What Girls Say about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) found that 74% of girls surveyed across the country are interested in the field and subjects of STEM. And if the girls are interested and excited about a topic, Girl Scouts wants to be a part of that fun. Just look at the joy and empowerment seen on the faces of these Girl Scouts from Eastern Missouri as they explore robotics. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

Anyone who works with girls knows that girls are exceptional problem solvers, enjoy exploring how things work, and want a career that will help people and make a difference in the world. STEM careers can do all of those things but women are traditionally under-represented in those fields (only 20 percent of engineering degrees, 25 percent of math and computer-science degrees are earned by women). To help close the gap and get more girls engaged and involved in STEM activities, girls need more out-of-school opportunities to develop their skills and become confident in these subjects (Girl Scout Blog: Making Her Future).

Here at Western Ohio, we’ve added STEM Events like Robots, Robots, Robots (all regions), Creative Contraptions (Girl Scout Rube Goldberg day-Dayton), and Design It, Build It-Thrill Builders (Toledo) and more to our program opportunities. These events give girls a chance to dig into STEM through fun hands-on activities and boost their confidence so they can close that gender gap and add the creativity and innovation that women bring to those career fields. Can’t make an event? Check out our community partners in the Program Events Book such as COSI, Boonshoft Museum, Armstrong Air and Space Museum, Imagination Station and many others for quality STEM programming. Some of them even have badge specific workshops for Girl Scouts. Let’s help our girls make the world a better place by inspiring them to pursue STEM careers!