Girl Scouts of Western New York introduces 28 new badges focused on STEM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — This week the Girl Scouts of Western New York announced 28 new badges scouts can earn while attending the youth organization.

The 28 new badges include categories in entrepreneurship, math in nature, and digital leadership to help build skills for the girls to have whatever path they want to take in life.

“A lot of times girls don’t have a ton of confidence in themselves to be able to participate in science, technology, engineering and math it tends to be something that their interested in but they aren’t really directed to engage in that and so girl scouts are trying to change that for girls,” assistant of Girl Experience Amanda Dzierzanowski said.

Dzierzanowski said as society changes and more women get involved in STEM — knowing the basics is key.

“I think really girls learning for a young age to explore and maintain their interest in the STEM field instead of being discouraged from the STEM field is really important,” Dzierzanowski said.

The badges for math in nature will go to scouts in grades K-5, while digital leadership and ‘The Cookie Business’ will go to those in grades K-12.

“Learning entrepreneurship how to plan their own business, and now we are taking it online with more updated concepts like going out and finding research and having market research really help them to make their business plans,” Dzierzanowski said.

When it comes to digital, the scouts will learn what it’s like being a leader online in a safe way by learning topics like time management, dealing with misinformation, clickbait, and biases in advertising. With the hope that these badges will teach girls that they can be ambitious and do whatever they set their mind to.

“I just think that going forward these badges are really going to make a difference in how prepared they are to lead the future,” Dzierzanowski said.

For information about renewal or joining the Girl Scouts of Western New York, click here.