The STEM Leadership Center: A Hub for Girl Scouts and Community Learning

In this episode we welcome back Tammy Wharton, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland, to give an update on the Dream Big initiative and the new STEM Leadership Center at Camp Ken-Jockety.

Tammy shares the excitement surrounding the opening of the building and its functional purpose, emphasizing that it serves not only the girls but also the wider community and youth in Central Ohio.

Top takeaways

1. STEM Leadership Center: The Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland has opened a STEM Leadership Center, fulfilling the Dream Big program's promise of promoting STEM education for young girls in Central Ohio.
2. Dream Big Initiative: The program started in 2018, aiming to put 2.5 million girls in the STEM pipeline by 2025. It's a transformational step aimed at providing immersive STEM experiences.
3. Community Engagement: The STEM Leadership Center is for all children and community members in Central Ohio, offering various programs and collaborations with schools and community groups.
4. Ohio State of the Girl Report: This report, created by Girl Scout councils across Ohio, addresses the challenges girls face and includes actionable steps for teachers, caregivers, and mentors to support them.
5. Digital Literacy: A significant focus is on teaching girls digital literacy, as many challenges such as cyberbullying are linked to technology use.
6. Importance of Physical Activity: Limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor physical activities are vital for improving girls' physical and mental well-being.
7. Combating Bullying: Strategies to combat bullying include establishing supportive connections with caring adults and providing anti-bullying education in schools.
8. Economic and Social Importance of STEM for Girls: Recruiting more women into STEM fields is critical for the workforce, as women make up over 50% of the population but are underrepresented in STEM.
9. Hands-On Learning at the STEM Center: Programs at the center are designed to provide girls with hands-on learning opportunities, like building a dollhouse with a 3D printer, and showcasing potential career paths.
10. Building Confidence and Support Networks: It's crucial for girls to build self-confidence and have supportive networks to improve academic success, fight bullying, and create a positive body image.

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Key moments

04:10 Investing Early in Girls' STEM

07:29 "Essential Report for Educators"

11:52 Unrealistic Beauty Standards in Media

15:59 Promote Anti-Bullying Education

20:09 Empowering Girls Through Construction Skills

23:32 "Embrace Failure to Succeed"

27:15 Building Confidence to Prevent Bullying

29:58 Boosting Women in STEM

33:51 Empowering Gold Award Girl Scouts

39:46 Observations on Booth Interactions

42:16 Outdoor Classroom for All Schools

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