Girl Scout's Outreach
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In FIRST, we realize that children are the future. At the Dunlap Eagles Robotics Team (DERT) we believe that we have found a way to inform the coming generations of the possibilities that the world of STEM and FIRST provide, while simultaneously teaching Girl Scouts the skills they will need to succeed in life.
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Why
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DERT knows just how much children can influence our futures, after all they are our future. And so we, as a team, saw that we could make a difference. But this isn't just about us, DERT realizes just how much of an impact this idea could have, not only within our own community, but all communities that are, or could one day be, influenced by the FIRST program.
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Taking Action
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During past off-seasons, DERT teamed up with The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois to educate young girls in the field of STEM through FIRST related programs. These programs grew in number when the Girl Scouts published 3 new robotics badges in 2017. DERT saw the badges as the perfect opportunity to introduce young girls to FIRST. In partnership with Bradley University, DERT invited 40 Girl Scouts to explore a FIRST Robotics Competition through an event set up to aid them in earning the newly minted badges, through hands-on activities inspired by FIRST. With the help of 7 other robotics teams and 40 volunteers the event was a huge success!
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Badges
After their debut in the summer of 2017, these Robotics-themed badges inspired us to help our local Girl Scouts strive to earn the badges in fun, interactive activities. There are three different badges in total. The two badges covered in DERT's event are covered here.
Programming Robots Badge
The Programming Robots Badge is awarded to Girl Scouts that know how robots receive instructions. Scouts who have earned this badge are able to create simple programs for a robot.
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Showcasing Robots Badge
This badge is awarded to Girl Scouts that have shared their prototype and design process with others. They will get to see robots in action and learn about robotics teams and competitions.
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We're not here to say pink and princesses are bad, we just want girls to know that they can build their own castles, too!"
-Debbie Sterling; Founder and CEO of GoldieBlox
