Girl Scout Summer STEM Workshop

This summer camp empowers Girl Scouts and their friends to explore creativity, engineering, and technology through hands-on activities that align with badges like Innovate and Create, Think Like an Engineer, Junior Art and Design, and Model Car Design Challenge. Scouts will design egg-drop contraptions, assemble and code CuteBots, create personalized wooden lanterns with laser cutters, and build model cars to test on custom tracks. They’ll also learn 3D printing and computer-aided design, creating unique take-home projects while developing problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation skills. This camp inspires girls to think like engineers, explore STEM careers, and confidently bring their ideas to life. You don’t need to be a girl scout to enjoy camp.

$435

Ages 7-14

5 Day

Day 1: Innovate and Create

  • Objective: Explore problem-solving and budgeting while designing contraptions to protect an egg from a high fall.

  • Activities:

    • Introduce the challenge: Scouts are tasked with designing an egg drop device.

    • Use “BuildMo Bucks” to budget for and purchase materials from a camp "store."

    • Prototype and test contraptions in teams.

    • Learn to use a laser cutter to create precision components for their designs.

    • Reflect on teamwork, budgeting, and lessons learned during a group discussion.

  • Badge Earned: Innovate and Create Badge.

Location

These classes are held in Innovation Academy's state-of-the-art classroom at The Garden, or on-site at your location.

Schedule

This camp will run from Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm with a 45 minute lunch break. There will also be snack and brain breaks during the day.

Day 2: Think Like an Engineer

  • Objective: Assemble, code, and navigate CuteBots using engineering and problem-solving skills.

  • Activities:

    • Introduction to engineering and coding basics.

    • Assemble CuteBots and program them using block coding via MakeCode.org.

    • Practice coding to control lights, play music, and respond to inputs.

    • Maze challenge: Navigate CuteBots through a custom-built maze, using coding skills to troubleshoot and adapt.

    • End with a debrief to reflect on problem-solving strategies.

  • Badge Earned: Think Like an Engineer Journey.

Day 3: Creative Tech and Design

  • Objective: Design and create personalized wooden lanterns using Adobe Illustrator and a laser cutter.

  • Activities:

    • Introduction to Adobe Illustrator: Scouts learn to create unique designs.

    • Workshop on laser cutting: Explore how lasers engrave and cut materials for precision.

    • Cut and assemble wooden lanterns with their personalized designs.

    • Learn about safe handling and operation of a laser cutter.

    • Take home completed lanterns.

  • Badge Earned: Junior Art and Design Badge.

Day 4: Model Car Design Challenge

  • Objective: Build slot cars and optimize designs for stability and performance.

  • Activities:

    • Design slot cars that maintain contact with copper tape on the track.

    • Experiment with motors to understand how kinetic energy converts to electrical energy.

    • Test cars on a smaller track section, observing and adjusting designs.

    • Emphasize teamwork and troubleshooting to optimize car performance.

    • End with a group discussion on energy conversion and design lessons.

  • Badge Earned: Model Car Design Challenge Badge.

Day 5: Junior Art and Design (3D Printing Focus)

  • Objective: Explore 3D printing technology and create personalized designs to print and take home.

  • Activities:

    • Introduction to 3D printing and CAD software (TinkerCAD or similar).

    • Learn the basics of Ender 3 3D printers and how they work.

    • Design unique creations using CAD software, emphasizing creativity and functionality.

    • Print designs on-site and assemble any multi-part projects.

    • Reflection on digital design and technology’s impact on creativity.

  • Badge Earned: Junior Art and Design Badge.