Girl Scouts is all about showing girls their potential, helping them to discover their skills and passions, and inspiring them to break down barriers and accomplish their goals. That’s why we offer awesome events in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) that make learning a fun and hands-on experience.

One of our most popular events is the biannual TechnoQuest event, where Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors explore the world of STEM  by participating in awesome activities. Girls learn from the experts, often females successful in the STEM fields themselves, and are able to visualize themselves pursuing similar careers and passions. In doing so, they are inspired to break gender stereotypes and build their confidence.

This year, our Raleigh TechnoQuest took place at Meredith College on Saturday, November 9th and 118 girls attended. Check out some highlights below!

TechnoQuest opened at the Jones Auditorium where Kacie Fore from Duke Energy welcomed attendees by sharing about her experience as a woman in STEM, and the potential that exists for girls in STEM fields. This year’s TechnoQuest event was sponsored in part by Duke Energy, and we are so thankful for their generosity!

ChickTech offered a workshop on E-Wearables – technology that can be integrated into clothing and accessories. Girls designed a fabric applique and practiced stitching their design together. Then, they used electrical thread to create a circuit in their design, which enabled it to light up!

Robotics with the Mobile Program was a big hit – girls programmed their robots to navigate mazes, problem solving and working collaboratively to achieve their goals.

Tinkering Labs participants used assorted materials in their kits to create designs to address engineering challenges. Girls enjoyed being able to use their creativity to come up with ways to create machines that could perform specific tasks, like beating an egg or writing.

The Professional Engineers of North Carolina (PENC) group from NC State University delivered workshops on water filtration and spectrometry (the science of using light to measure different properties of matter).

Other workshops included sessions on chemistry by Glaxo Smith Kline and UNC, product design and marketing by Citrix, virology by Duke Women in Science, magnetics and engineering by Techsplorers, an introduction to LinkedIn by Microsoft, coding and robotics by Zebra Robotics, space science by NASA Solar System Ambassadors, and citizen science by council staff.

Adults attending TechnoQuest took part in workshop sessions as well – NC State offered a session about supporting girls in exploring college majors and careers. Girl Scout volunteer Sara Olson delivered a session about Girl Scout Highest Awards, and NASA Solar System Ambassadors offered a session about facilitating the new Girl Scout Space Science badge curriculum.

Thank you to all of the girls that participated and the facilitators and donors that made the event possible! Register now for TechnoQuest East in March by visiting our website!