Today is the perfect day to encourage girls to use their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to make real, positive differences in our communities and our world.  We are proud to be one of three councils collaborating with GSUSA and the Infosys Foundation USA to support the implementation of Coding for Good badges through Family STEM Nights. Female leaders of tomorrow are built TODAY!

On Thursday, October 17th, we hosted Girl Scouts, their friends, and families for our first Family STEM Night and it was a huge success!  The event exposed girls to coding concepts and ideas that could spark new interests and maybe even lead to a rewarding career in STEM!

All of the Family STEM Night activities were inspired by Girl Scouts’ Coding for Good curriculum and rooted in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. By learning from the Coding for Good curriculum, girls were given the chance to develop​ computer science skills in areas they were already interested in, such as app and game design.

“My family liked best drawing the robots and working together as a team for the patch quilt algorithm,” said Girl Scout mother Heather Wrenn. In true Girl Scout spirit, the badges focused specifically on how coding can be used to develop products and services that help people and the world!

Our Family STEM Night event connected STEM topics to exciting STEM careers in a fun, learn-through-play environment. The best part? Families gained confidence and tools for meaningful STEM exploration—fun for the whole fam! “We loved that the activities were geared toward all ages! I love to see my girls work together!” said Girl Scout mother Portia Bristol.

The research is clear: girls are interested in making a difference in the world and need more STEM exposure, education, and exciting and creative experiences with the help of adults. This is why partnerships and events such as Family STEM Nights are essential to preparing more girls to boldly pursue STEM and use it to make positive contributions to the world!

Enjoy the photo recap below!

During the Girl Scout Family STEM Night girls and their families worked through hands-on coding activities.     

Girl-led STEM exercises helped girls use coding concepts to solve problems.

Girl Scouts used their knowledge of algorithms to create a paper quilt.  

Creating an algorithm to code a robot to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich became a bonding moment for all participants! 

The Girl Scout Family STEM Night fostered interactions between parents and girls as they enjoyed fun, educational experiences together! 

Through the event girls and families gained a sense of community, outside of their regularly scheduled troop and school activities.  

The Girl Scout Family STEM Night event was an awesome experience for the whole family! 

Learn more about Infosys Foundation USA:

Infosys Foundation USA is committed to expanding computer science and maker education in the United States, with a specific focus on increasing access to underrepresented communities. The Foundation works with nonprofits, academic institutions, policy makers, educators, and experts in the computer science and maker fields to prepare students and teachers for bright opportunities in a digital future.