STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

You are a scientist, an analyst, a mathematician, an engineer—even an astronomer! You are all of these things and more every single day. You look at the world around you with curiosity and wonder; questions fill your mind on how things work and ways to make the world a better place. You are ready to push boundaries, experiment with the world around you, and learn as you go. Girl Scouts will introduce you to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) so you are confident in your ability to go out and change your community and world for the better—whether that's designing a more eco-friendly car engine, running your own business, or caring for animals. Girl Scouts will give you the tools you need to get there.

When girls participate in Girl Scout STEM programs, they benefit in four important ways:

1. STEM Interest: Girls are excited about STEM subjects and want to learn more about them.
2. STEM Confidence: Girls have confidence in their STEM skills and abilities.
3. STEM Competence: Girls think scientifically to solve problems.
4. STEM Value: Girls learn the importance and relevance of STEM to people and society.

November is STEM Month! From programming robots, to discovering what lives in a watershed, to even building your own catapult there is always so much to do and explore throughout the month. In 2021 Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington held over 16 different STEM events, including an in person STEM Day celebration that over 350 people attended! Check out all the details of STEM Day 2021 and get excited for what new discoveries you will make next STEM Month. Check back here for information about STEM Month 2022 starting September 2022.

Even though STEM Month has passed there are still tons of exciting STEM events taking place. Check out STEM events and more on the Events Page.

Earn STEM Badges, Patches and Journeys

STEM Month Challenge Patch

Girl Scouts explore STEM throughout the month of November by taking on the Girl Scout STEM Month Challenge sponsored by First Tech Federal Credit Union! To earn this special STEM Month patch, complete the following steps:

Seek out STEM in your life.
Try something new.
Explore STEM careers.
Make a difference in your community.

Once you complete all four steps, fill out this STEM Month Challenge Submission Form to tell us about your experience, and we'll send you a STEM Month Challenge patch! The submission form is open beginning November 1 until December 31, 2021.

Questions about the STEM Month Challenge? Contact activities@girlscoutsosw.org.

Oregon Dairy Patch

All of the steps to complete this fun and educational program patch have at-home options. Learn where milk comes from, how it is processed, how dairy can play a role in our nutrition and what careers are possible in the wide world of dairy. Check out the Oregon Dairy Patch activity booklet!

The Science of Sewing Patch

Get ready to stitch together your next new adventure with GSOSW’s Science of Sewing Patch. You will explore the STEM that goes into any fiber or textile art by exploring some of the history, understanding career opportunities, creating your own project, and exploring ways you can lessen your impact on the world with these projects! Check out the Science of Sewing Patch Program!

STEM Badges

At a time when women account for half of the college-educated workforce but fill just 29 percent of science and engineering occupations, Girl Scouts is cultivating girls’ interest in STEM subjects from an early age, helping them build valuable STEM skills so they can take the lead.

From Designs in Nature to Digital Leadership Girl Scouts has many new ways for girls to explore STEM!

Check out the new STEM badges.

For more information, visit the Award and Badge Explorer. Volunteers can also access this new programming on the Volunteer Toolkit.

STEM Journeys

Through STEM journeys you will identify problems, work together to come up with creative and sustainable solutions, and then turn those ideas into a reality! As you work to find real world solutions to real world problems through STEM, you will build your skills and begin to take the lead as a change maker.

Some of Girl Scouts STEM Journeys are:

Engineering: Think Like an Engineer
Girls discover how to think like an engineer by participating in hands-on design challenges and completing a Take Action project.

Computer Science: Think Like a Programmer
Girls learn how programmers solve problems by participating in computational-thinking activities and completing a Take Action project.

Outdoor STEM: Think Like a Citizen Scientist
Girls make observations and collect data by doing a citizen science project and completing a Take Action project.

Even More STEM!

Space Mission Experience: SPACE MISSION EXPERIENCE WEBINAR (GRADES 6-12): Interview with an Astronaut Dr. Sandra Magnus and GSOSW’s very own Girl Scout Erin! Watch now!

SPACE MISSION EXPERIENCE WEBINAR (GRADES K-5): Interview with an Astronaut Captain Wendy Lawrence and Girl Scout Katelyn. Watch now!
Space Exploration: Mars to the Stars: SPACE EXPLORATION: MARS TO THE STARS FOR GRADES 6-12: Join experts for an overview of the 2020 Mars mission and the stars beyond. Click the link and fill out the necessary information to view a recording from the live virtual event. Get started!

SPACE EXPLORATION: MARS TO THE STARS FOR GRADES K-5: Join experts for an overview of the 2020 Mars mission and the stars beyond. Click the link and fill out the necessary information to view a recording from the live virtual event. Get started!
Pi Day: Have fun learning about the fascinating and important mathematical ratio Pi. Check out the Pi Day activity booklet!
Girls Get STEM: Unleash your inner citizen scientist! Explore family STEM activities, check out educational videos and companion curriculum, and take a virtual field trip. Learn more and get started.

Space Science Spotlight

Join an Astronomy Club: Do you love space? Exploring the great unknown and pursuing answers? Do you enjoy helping others learn in fun and creative ways? Join the GSOSW Astronomy Club! Enjoy night sky viewing, try out space science activities, plan outreach events and connect with astronomy experts. Discover space, try at-home activities and stay connected with the monthly Space Girls Gazette newsletter, produced completely by girl members of the GSOSW Astronomy Club.

If you are interested in joining the GSOSW Astronomy club, please contact gsoswastronomyclub@gmail.com.
Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts: Girl Scouts can explore the science of our universe through badges, clubs and travel thanks to the NASA-funded Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts in partnership with the SETI Institute, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and more!

“Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts” is based upon a cooperative agreement (NNX16AB90A) from NASA’s Space Science Directorate through the SETI Institute.