An Electric Idea In 1996 the National Science foundation awarded the Mid-Continent Council of Girl Scouts in partnership with Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, a $503,409 three-year grant to introduce an exciting new program called Plugged In! to improve girls' skills and confidence in math, science and computer technology. An additional $99,664 grant was awarded in 1997 to support development of a web site. During the grant period, the project will reach 4,400 girls, aged 5-17, and 125 adults with diverse racial, cultural and economic backgrounds in an 18-county urban, rural and suburban geographical area. It will also serve as a model for Girl Scouts of the USA and its 3.5 million membership.
Short-Circuiting gender Inequities the cold hard facts are that females consistently score lower on math tests and the number of females in science-related careers in America is declining. Even cyberspace threatens to be a man's world unless something is done to attract and engage girls. And the consumer market churns out one computer game after another designed around combat and winning - which appeal more to boys than girls who relate better to story-driven scenarios.
Unfortunately, studies have shown that gender inequities exist in our classrooms - technology education favors the development of boys' skills. Many girls and underprivileged youth have difficulty acquiring extended experience with computer technology.
To address this issue, Ottawa University will teach future educators specific learning styles that will enable girls to have an equal opportunity in the classroom to learn subjects in math and science. Teachers at Ottawa will examine their curricula and develop gender-neutral classroom activities to encourage girls' participation. Plugged In! program modules will be evaluated by Ottawa education students, who will then develop activities specific to certain age groups to make the modules more developmentally appropriate. They'll also observe the presentation of these modules to Girl Scouts, comparing the presentations with mixed gender classes in order to evaluate differing learning styles. Additional Ottawa University students and Girl Scout volunteers will complete training in the skills identified for successful presentation of these programs to girls.
Wired for Success Plugged In! will enable girls, grades 1-12, to learn and apply science, engineering and mathematics in conjunction with Girl Scout math and science badge work. Hands-on programs will be offered in weather, astronomy, exercise physiology, math, biology, and computer and through mentoring, introduce girls to exciting careers in science, engineering, and mathematics. There won't be any limit on girls' involvement and, because they won't have to compete with boys, there won't be any limit on their blossoming interest or curiosity either!
Learning While They Earn Badges - The program will enhance badge activities through computer technology at all age levels served by Girl Scouts. Brownies through Senior Girl Scouts will have an opportunity to gain new levels of learning through real-world exercises, interactive software and the Internet. Whether it's monitoring their own heart rate, accessing NASA reports on space flights or communicating over the Web with women role models, girls will see for themselves the limitless possibilities of science and experimentation.
Self-discovery Plus Fun Equals Growth - Girls will advance in computer and science literacy by completing fun modules that teach them problem-solving, research and critical thinking skills. They'll learn by doing - a basic educational principle of Girl Scouting. Only with Plugged In! they'll also have computers and other technological innovations to support their activities, expand their perspectives and take them beyond their physical boundaries into the international scientific community.
Here's an Overview of Plugged In! classes and which Girl Scout levels are encouraged to attend:
All Weather Detectives - Someone has vandalized Sara's Tree Farm. Girls use weather data and equipment along with crime scene clues to find the culprit. (Brownies, Juniors)
Focus on Birds - Girls take a bird hike, use a bird call and develop bird observation skills by using binoculars. They'll examine feathers with a magnifying glass and microscope. (Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors)
Fractal Finders - In this class, girls sharpen their perception and learn to recognize patterns in nature. They explore snowflakes, sunspots and trees to find fractal patterns and learn how to describe them. Use Microsoft Encarta software to build fractal trees based on their observations of the real thing. (Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors)
Wet and Wild - Girls explore the pond and the life it supports using aquatic nets and microscopes. Then they create their own model earth and follow the movement of water from land to sea and back again. (Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors)
Web and Wild S.O.S. - This class gives girls the opportunity to monitor an actual stream. They determine water quality by collecting and identifying macro-invertebrates. Their data will become part of a state-sponsored stream quality assessment. (Cadettes, Seniors)
Computer Insiders - Girls take a computer apart and see how it works. They learn to recognize computer parts and what they do. Plus they use a microscope to observe floppy disks and other parts, upgrade a computer with new video cards or modems, and install software on their newly upgraded computer...and play. (Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors)
StarGazers - Girls explore the planets, moon and constellations with the computer. They predict moon phases and star positions, use telescopes and binoculars to verify their predictions, learn to recognize some constellations, and use the Internet to view space form the Hubbell telescope! (Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors) Camp with Girl Scouts from throughout Kansas and the United States, as well as Girl Guides from other countries.
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