On November 9, 2024, Girl Scouts from across central and eastern North Carolina gathered at Meredith College for TechnoQuest 2024, our council’s signature STEM event, presented by Duke Energy. This year, we “Invented the Future,” showcasing how with the right resources and support, girls can create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. With over 209 Girl Scouts, 59 adult participants, and more than 80 volunteers, the day was filled with excitement, innovation, and countless opportunities to spark curiosity and inspire future STEM leaders.
A Day of Discovery and Innovation
TechnoQuest 2024 offered an incredible lineup of workshops, mentoring sessions, and interactive activities designed to empower Girl Scouts to explore the boundless possibilities in STEM fields. With 24 youth workshops and 5 adult workshops, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Highlights included:
- Meredith College’s Forensic Workshop: A fan favorite, this session explored blood spatter analysis and gave participants hands-on experience in forensic science.
- NC State University’s Alternative Energy Workshop: Girl Scouts learned about renewable energy sources and their critical role in building a sustainable future.
- Girl Scouts’ Chemical Engineering Workshop: Girl Scouts unleashed their creativity in two separate workshops—one led by Triangle Women in STEM and another by Meredith College, where they crafted their own beauty products and discovered the science behind chemical formulations.
- GS-NCCP’s Robotics Demonstrations: Our Mobile Program Team wowed attendees with hands-on robotics activities, inspiring budding engineers.
Mentoring the Future
Mentorship played a pivotal role in TechnoQuest 2024. Attendees participated in three unique mentoring sessions, connecting with STEM professionals from diverse backgrounds:
- STEM Professional Panel: Featuring experts like Patricia Neri and Sondra Rivers-Kobler (TriWiSTEM), Jennifer Shevach (Pendo), Maria Pickering (Meredith College) as well as STEM student Caroline Camden (Meredith College), this session provided valuable insights into their careers and advice for pursuing STEM pathways.
- Speed Mentoring: About 35 mentors facilitated rapid, one-on-one conversations, offering participants the opportunity to ask questions and receive personalized career guidance.
- Minute to Win It Challenge: Over 20 mentors joined Girl Scouts in a fun and fast-paced “Minute to Win It” style session, showcasing the importance of teamwork and quick thinking in STEM environments.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of all our sponsors. A special thank you to Duke Energy, our presenting sponsor, for their ongoing commitment to empowering young women in STEM. We were honored to have Kacie Fore— Duke Energy’s representative, GS-NCCP Board Member, and Meredith College alum and keynote speaker- who inspired attendees with her journey and vision for the future.
Additional thanks go to our STEM sponsors:
- ABB
- SAS Institute
- Pentair
- Dominion Energy
- ShareFile
Your contributions are helping us prepare the next generation of leaders to invent the future!
A Community Effort
TechnoQuest 2024 wouldn’t have been a success without the dedication of our volunteers and the support of Meredith College. From hosting seven incredible workshops to providing delicious food that attendees raved about, Meredith College created a welcoming environment for learning and exploration.
A heartfelt thank you to the Meredith College students who volunteered throughout the day, helping to make the event unforgettable. We also extend our gratitude to the organizations that led workshops and mentored Girl Scouts, including IBM, UNC Chapel Hill, Women in Bio, Blue Cross NC, and many more. Together, we provided a platform for Girl Scouts to discover their strengths and explore exciting career possibilities.
Empowering Girl Scouts to Lead the Future
Through workshops, mentoring sessions, and hands-on activities, TechnoQuest 2024 demonstrated that Girl Scouts are ready to lead the way in STEM. Events like this equip girls with the courage, confidence, and character needed to invent a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Thank you to everyone who made this day possible, from our attendees and volunteers to our sponsors and hosts. Together, we’re ensuring that every Girl Scout has the opportunity to unlock her full potential and achieve amazing things.
We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these incredible young leaders! For more information about Girl Scouts or our signature events, visit our website today!
