In an effort to bolster girls’ interest in science and technology, Girl Scouts of America has invited the Geek Squad summer academy to New Orleans this August, where 200 girls aged 10 to 14 will dismantle and rebuild computers and learn about the technology behind digital photography and music.
Geek Squad, Best Buy’s tech service brigade, will focus on teaching girl scouts about technology in a fun, engaging way: The scouts will learn that “the process is more than just pressing a button and turning on the computer and playing a video game,” says Kevin Shipp, program and event coordinator for Girl Scouts Louisiana East. Other topics to be covered include “responsible Internet use, protecting personal information, how to handle cyber-bullying and communicating with peers.”
A focus on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, activities marks one of the many ways in which Girl Scouts culture is adapting for the future. “This is the age that girls sometimes lose the drive to succeed in science, technology, engineering and math, because of peer pressure from boys and sometimes even teachers,” says Jill Pollard, vice president of program and volunteerism for Girl Scouts Louisiana East. “We are reinforcing that this is a cool topic.”
And frankly, it’s a reinforcement that still has to be made the right way, especially when campaigns to spark girls’ interest in STEM fields can go so horribly, horribly wrong. It’s great that the Girl Scouts will be looking at technology through the lens of activities all kids enjoy, like listening to music or taking photos, in addition to exploring real cyber-bulling issues faced by real girls
Strong(ly negative) feelings about Geek Squad customer service aside, we think it’s fantastic that they have committed to targeting young girls and encouraging their interest in technology by partnering up with the Girl Scouts of America, an organization that, according to Pollard wants to “see [their] girls as CEOs, chairwoman of the board, [or] president.”
With any luck, this summer camp will see the birth of the next Sally Ride, Sheryl Sandburg, or Marissa Mayer. Dream big, nerd girls!
(via Nola News.)
Published: Aug 2, 2012 02:02 pm