Girl Scouts get hands-on look at STEM careers

About 50 Girl Scouts explored the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during a half-day program at Grand Valley State University. 

The Girl Scouts STEM College Readiness Experience took place October 4 on the Allendale Campus. The group participated in a campus scavenger hunt and science lab activities in Padnos Hall.

Brittany Dernberger, assistant director for Grand Valley’s Women’s Center, said the goal is to engage young women in the STEM fields. “Women are still the minority in these fields. If they’re exposed to the possibility of majoring and pursuing a career in the STEM fields at a young age, it will hopefully lead to an increase of women in these professions,” Dernberger said. 

The scouts are middle and high school students affiliated with the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore. Grand Valley faculty, staff members and more than 20 students helped with the event. 

The third annual event was organized by Grand Valley physics and chemistry faculty, Women’s Center, Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) Living Center, and Girls Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore staff members.