Girl Scouts Heart of Central California (GSHCC) is proud to announce that a Mobile STEM Center + MakerSpace will be available beginning in June, the newest high-tech example of its commitment to providing hands-on and inspiring instruction for girls in science, technology, engineering and math. There are only a handful of such mobile centers nationally.
The Mobile STEM Center + MakerSpace will be housed in a customized 30-foot RV and will feature equipment allowing girls to work in areas such as engineering, robotics, astronomy and computer programming projects. It also includes virtual reality as well as solar panels on the roof to power most of the equipment. It is wheelchair accessible.
The mobile center will enable the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California to reach even more Girl Scouts in its 18-county territory, which stretches from Yuba to Merced counties, including the Sierra foothills and major cities such as Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto. The mobile center will augment STEM-related programming already available at the permanent STEM centers in Sacramento and Modesto that have opened in the past two years.
“The Mobile STEM Center + MakerSpace is an investment in the next generation of Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers and Leaders (G.I.R.L.s.), and will allow us to serve as a hub for girl innovation, exploration and discovery for Girl Scouts,” said Dr. Linda E. Farley, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California. “We are proud and excited to make this amazing and important STEM experience available to girls in our region.”
The Mobile STEM Center + MakerSpace will be on the road starting at the end of June, serving Girl Scout troops in all areas of its council, with a focus on serving the underserved populations and rural/remote locations. Closing the STEM gender gap—especially the low-income gender gap—requires innovative solutions and community collaboration. Through partnerships with after-school providers and support from funders, the Mobile STEM Center + MakerSpace will bring STEM curriculum to girls most at risk for failing in school as identified by Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The mobile center will serve more than 2,100 girls in its first year.
Girl Scouts Heart of Central California is grateful to SMUD (GSHCC is one of the 2018 recipients of SMUD’s Shine Award), the County of Sacramento, and a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, who were the largest contributors to the Mobile STEM Center + MakerSpace. GSHCC also extends our gratitude to the many local community and individual donors who made this project possible.
About Girl Scouts Heart of Central California
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts is celebrating 108 years as the premier leadership development organization for girls, building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. The local council, Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, is headquartered in Sacramento and serves nearly 18,000 girls in 18 counties* in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit girlscoutshcc.org.
*Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Mariposa, Merced, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba.
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