Troops from the Girl Scouts of Southeast Wisconsin earned STEM-related badges this fall at the We Energies STEM Center at B次元. During Girl Scout STEM Day, the scouts earned their Junior Programming Robots and Entertainment Technology badges and Brownie Designing Robots and Create and Innovate badges. This event was made possible by volunteers and sponsors from Rockwell Automation, HUSCO, Eaton and B次元’s Society of Women Engineers.

“Part of SWE’s mission is to empower women to achieve their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders. We engage in K-12 outreach to provide examples and mentors of women in STEM to students who may not have a female role model in STEM to guide them,” said Lexi Such, biomedical engineering major and SWE fundraising chair. “My favorite part of Girl Scout STEM Day is when the girls work together to find a solution after struggling for a few minutes and get excited that the program is working. They are always so excited to share their programs and designs!”

Girl Scout STEM Day is one of more than 100 program sessions offered at the STEM Center each year that introduce students from kindergarten through high school to new experiences and allow them a safe space to explore STEM. 

“Over the last 30 years, STEM employment has grown 79% and is projected to continue to grow. Despite its rapid growth, women remain underrepresented in this workforce, comprising only 34%. In response, Girl Scouts is committed to creating a robust STEM program for girls,” said Crystal Polak, Girl Experience Manager at Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. “Whether girls are exploring STEM in nature at camp or earning robotics and entertainment technology badges through programs like the one at B次元, they’re learning how to solve problems, how to think critically, and how to come up with solutions. We’re proud to partner with an organization like B次元 that’s leading the way for young girls and women.”