SCE Partners with IE Girl Scouts to Encourage STEM Careers for Girls

Nothing is more synonymous with Girl Scouting than cookies. Yet today, Girl Scouts across the country have an additional, rather different focus—one that often goes unnoticed by the public eye: STEM. Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio, whose reach extends over Riverside to San Bernardino counties, received a grant from Southern California Edison to help fund the “Imagine Your STEM Future” project. The programs are targeted at high school-aged girls and aim to encourage increased interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers. The “Imagine Your STEM Future” project will begin in January 2014, using the Edison grant to enable high school girls from Corona to participate. With additional funding pending from other businesses, foundations and individuals, the Girl Scouts expect extend the program to high schools throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council Program Managers in each location will implement the sessions. Girl Scout alumnae with expertise in one or more STEM disciplines, like long-time Girl Scout and President of Moreno Valley College, Dr. Sandra Mayo, will provide special STEM-related presentations, along with campus and workplace tours. Girls from low-income households will benefit the most; because many of these girls are not yet part of a Girl Scout troop and experience Girl Scouts via their school or in a community-based setting. The “Imagine Your STEM Future” project aligns with essential elements of the high school curriculum and encourages girls to work in teams to perform hands-on activities, solve problems, and explore STEM-related career opportunities. The “Imagine Your STEM Future” project outcomes include: • Girls’ increased interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). • Girls become more informed about STEM careers. • Girls better understand the importance of studying math and science in school. • Girls improve self-confidence in their STEM skills. • Girls increase critical thinking abilities and resourceful problem solving.