The Village School Girl Scout Troop earned three robotics badge with guidance from Village robotics teacher, Chad Huffman, in pursuit of the newest girl scouts initiative in engineering. They took part in creating a functional robot and engaged in discussions about what defines a robot and what applications they have both now and in the future.
The junior Girl Scouts engineering and robotics badges come as part of the newest set of initiatives from Girl Scouts International, released in July 2017, that include 23 new badges in topics ranging from STEM to outdoor ethics. After surveying what members wanted to pursue they partnered with Code.org to develop these curriculum and assist young girls in sparking their interest in STEM topics. This badge is one of three in this series that hopes to prepare girls for each step in the computer programming process, from invention and execution to presentation of robotics products.
Members began by working in teams of two to create individual pieces of the robot which they then assembled to create one larger entity. After a brief lesson in programming and robotic capabilities the troupe named their creation and began to utilize the sensors, they had placed. The activity culminated with a fully programmed robot capable of navigating a maze.
These three badges complete the available girl scouts robotics offerings, however, the troop has plans to pursue a digital photography badge to further their STEAM skills.