Girl Scout Space Science Badges and Beyond: Collaborative Learning for Girls and NASA Sci Act Collaborations
Abstract
Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts (Girl Scout Stars) engages Girl Scouts in NASA planetary and astrophysics science and programs through badges and summer camps, disseminates STEM education-related resources, and fosters interaction between Girl Scouts and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). Space science badges have been released for three levels of Girl Scouts: Daisies, Grades K-1; Brownies, Grades 2-3; and Juniors, Grades 4-5. Space science badges for Cadettes, Grades 6-8; Seniors, Grades 9-10; and Ambassadors, Grades 11-12 are scheduled for release next year. The badges consist of science activities, finding role models (SMEs), and opportunities for girls to share their findings and excitement with others. Badge steps capitalize on NASA resources available through the Sci Act Collective. In Girl Scouting, girls discover their skills, talents and what they care about; connect with others in their community; and take action to change the world. This is called the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). With girl-led, hands on activities where girls can team up and work together—they successfully achieve the five leadership outcomes: strong sense of self, positive values, challenge seeking, healthy relationships, and community problem solving. When girls exhibit these attitudes and skills, they become responsible, productive, caring, and engaged citizens. The badges' activities are aligned with these principles.
Girl Scout Stars also offers three unique training and camp experiences that support the facilitation of space science exploration at the council and troop levels: The University of Arizona holds Girl Scout volunteer and staff astronomy training; Astronomy Adventure Destination Camp, for individual girls ages 13 and older, is held at Pine Mountain Observatory, OR; and the Girl Scout Astronomy Club training at NASA Goddard for council teams two girls, a council volunteer, and an amateur astronomer. Training opportunities for Girl Scout Councils in partnership with key Sci Act Collective members in development This session will highlight the evaluation indicators of success, the badge activities, how SMEs can connect with their local Girl Scout council or troop, and how the Girl Scout Stars team is collaborating with NASA Sci Act Collective. Funded by NASA:NNX16AB90A.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFMED41E1242H
- Keywords:
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- 0805 Elementary and secondary education;
- EDUCATIONDE: 0815 Informal education;
- EDUCATIONDE: 0840 Evaluation and assessment;
- EDUCATIONDE: 0855 Diversity;
- EDUCATION