Georgia Southern Partners with Girl Scouts for New Project

A partnership between Georgia Southern University and the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia is providing girls with broader opportunities to engage in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. Interactive and hands-on activities are being offered at the new GIRL Center in Savannah, which officially opened in March as part of the Girl Scouts 110th birthday celebration.

Two years ago, the University’s College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) signed a memorandum of understanding with Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia to assist with scientific displays, programming and exposure to the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses. COSM brought in the College of Education’s Center for STEM Education (i2STEMed) to assist with creating STEM activity kits that can be provided either on-site at the GIRL Center or checked out for local troop use. i2STEMed created kits on secret coding (cyber security), basic computer coding (binary beads), tree identification (biology) and forensic science (chemistry). There are plans to develop additional activities in engineering, drawing, ornithology, space science and environmental science.

“As a team, we hope to build the love of STEM in girls from across the county and do everything we can to be that positive influence in their lives, which in turn will hopefully lead them to pursue a major and a career in STEM, said Delana Gajdosik-Nivens, Ph.D., assistant vice president for strategic initiatives. “COSM is proud to do our part to bring more girls into STEM.”

Each year, thousands of Scouts from across the world visit Savannah, the birthplace of the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts who complete activities at the center will earn a unique co-branded badge.