Girl Scouts introduce 30 new badges aimed at powering female leadership in the 21st century

Gateway Council to continue to equip girls to create positive changes in modern issues

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Girl Scouts of Gateway Council and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) recently revealed 30 new badges to further enhance the Girl Scout experience available to girls ages 5-18.

The new badges address some of society’s most pressing needs, such as cybersecurity, environmental advocacy, mechanical engineering, robotics, computer science, space exploration and more. In a safe all-girl space, Girl Scouts develop important soft skills, including confidence and perseverance, as well as hard skills, setting them up for success and preparing them to take action for a better world.

 “We’re thrilled to be able to offer our Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn new badges that address very important modern day needs in our communities and beyond,” said Mary Anne Jacobs, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council. “Today’s girls are vocal about changes they want to see and it is important that we educate and empower our girls to be future change-makers.”

According to the Girl Scout Impact Study, girls who participate in Girl Scouts are more than twice as likely to exhibit community problem-solving skills than girls who don’t (57 percent versus 28 percent). Studies also show that 76 percent of women today wish they had learned more about leadership and had more leadership opportunities while growing up.

With the new programs available at Girl Scouts, girls can now dive deeper into modern day interests, issues and challenges and earn badges in:

Environmental Stewardship: Girls will learn to respect the outdoors and take action to be good stewards of the environment. These badges are the first to specifically prepare girls to be environmental advocates who address problems, find solutions and protect the natural world.

Cybersecurity: Girls are introduced to age-appropriate online safety and privacy principles, information on how the internet works, and how to spot and investigate cybercrime.

Space Science: Girls will channel their inner NASA scientist as they learn about objects in space and how astronomers conduct investigations.

Mechanical Engineering: Girl Scout Juniors in grades 4 and 5 can have hands-on engineering experience by designing paddle-boats, cranes and balloon-powered cars, while learning about buoyancy, potential and kinetic energy, machines and jet propulsion.

■ Robotics: Girls will continue to explore the world of science and technology introduced last year through programming, designing and showcasing their robot creations.

College Knowledge: High-school aged Girl Scouts in grades 11 and 12 will have a badge completely dedicated to college exploration. Girls will learn how to research the admissions process, financial aid and much more in this highly requested program.

 “I am so proud that our new programming continues to push girls to be forward-thinking and equips them with the skills they need to make the world a better place,” said Jacobs. “We believe in the power of all girls, and we invite them to strengthen their unique abilities by joining Girl Scouts.”

To join, volunteer or donate visit www.girlscouts-gateway.org or contact TriciaRae Stancato at tstancato@girlscouts-gateway.org or (904) 421-3484.