Spring 2022 Lead & Learn

Around Council

Discover Girl Scout Robotics Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri has a proud history of supporting all-girl robotics teams across various levels of competition. Since the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri’s robotics program began in 2009, it has grown from five teams to 75 teams in 2021 at every age level.

GSUSA has partnered with For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology ( FIRST® ) to offer STEM program opportunities around the country. Girl Scout robotics programs inspire young girls to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs. Through participation in robotics programs, Girl Scouts: • Are confident they can solve real- world problems • Develop awareness of the careers in the STEM fields • Develop and apply specific strategies to promote cooperation • Identify ways in which science can help solve a problem in the real world

I’m interested! How do I start a Girl Scout robotics team? Visit girlscoutsem.org/robotics to view the application. You will need two unrelated adults to sign up as coaches and at least two girls to start a team. This sounds like fun, but I don’t have any programming experience. What should I do? It’s okay if you don’t have a background in programming or engineering! We offer training to teach FLL Explore® and FLL Challenge® rookie coaches how to program the robot. Howmuch does it cost? If accepted for funding, Girl Scouts will cover the major expenses (including the robot, software, field kit, and T-shirts) but the teamwill be responsible for a portion of the overall cost. The team registration fee is different for each Robotics level.

32 Lead & Learn Spring 2022