Tag Archives: STEM

Why we’re betting on girls as cybersecurity defenders – and you should too

By Jill Zelmanovits, CEO and Chief Listening Officer, Girl Guides of Canada Hackers, encryption and cyber threats were once ideas relegated to dark basements and IT talk. Today, cybersecurity impacts every industry, every level of government and everyone with personal … Continue reading

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Space scientist? It’s now on these girls’ dream job list

What happens when girls meet women with awe-inspiring career trajectories? Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how inspiring women role models can help girls reach for the stars. That’s what happened when Girl Guides in Paradise, NL, … Continue reading

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How girls in Guiding are going full STEAM ahead as they experiment, design and create

Guiding has always been a place where girls can experiment, design, create and imagine as they explore the infinite possibilities of science and technology. (After all, Aeronautics was one of the first badges ever in Canadian Guiding.) Now, Guiding’s new … Continue reading

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When the pieces click together

At university, they say the first semester is the hardest. To say I was nervous was a bit of an understatement: on top of delving into my specialization degree in Immunology and Infection at the distinguished (and somewhat menacing) University … Continue reading

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The courage to start

Every day across Canada, girls in Guiding are accomplishing great and amazing things: overcoming obstacles, realizing their goals, and contributing in positive ways to their communities. I know this personally because I have seen it first-hand over the 13 years … Continue reading

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We are #STEMinists

As the world celebrates the best in cinematic achievement this weekend, all eyes will be on Hidden Figures, the Oscar-nominated film about female African-American mathematicians who played a vital role at NASA in the 1960s. This film has inspired many … Continue reading

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Full STEM ahead

The overwhelming theme for our unit’s activities this fall has been science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). With Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada programming like Girls Count, and instant meetings like International Day of the Girl 2016, it’s been … Continue reading

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An investment in girls is an investment in our future

This summer I took my nine-year-old daughter, Helen, to Kenya for the African Regional Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). While in the capital of Nairobi, Helen met Brownies and Guides and young leaders … Continue reading

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STEM and the gender gap: Let’s balance the equation

STEM – science, technology engineering and math. When we think of these things, we still typically picture men doing these jobs. While many women do in fact have careers in these fields, it still for some reason seems like a … Continue reading

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Splash! Water-balloon catapults at camp

This year, the 3rd Guelph Guides put their lashing skills to use on a different sort of camp gadget – catapults! This activity also reinforced physics, teamwork, safety and leadership skills. And, the fun of water balloons! Several parts of … Continue reading

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Guides learn the nuts and bolts of auto mechanics

This year, our programming has been focused on trying new things. Our unit brainstormed ideas of things that girls should know how to do but might not traditionally learn. Most of the girls had participated in a tool or building … Continue reading

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What has Guiding taught me? Where do I begin!?

A few weeks ago, I was at a community breakfast for volunteers when a woman across the table spoke of how her organization had recently partnered with a local youth organization. I immediately mentioned my involvement in Girl Guiding and … Continue reading

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Guiders like to play, too

Guiding encourages girls to try new things, learn through playing, and to challenge themselves, all while earning badges along the way. You can tell a unit meeting is going well by the sound of fun, the sound of laughter and … Continue reading

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Women are scientists, too

Girl Guides of Canada–Guides du Canada is bursting with pride to mark International Women’s Day today. It’s a powerful opportunity to to celebrate the trailblazing difference girls and women around the world are making. Most of my friends will tell … Continue reading

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Engineering some excitement

“Hi I’m Rose and I’m a mechanical engineer, and my job is really cool!” That’s how I started every ‘Mission to Mars’ and ‘Don’t Wake Mom!’ workshop I facilitated this March for National Engineering Month 2015 – with the aim … Continue reading

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Guiding the way to STEM

When I tell people that I am a Science Communication graduate student, I get many of the same questions as I get when I tell people that I am a Girl Guide leader: “What’s that?” “How is it relevant in … Continue reading

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Why math rocks

In elementary school I wanted to be a teacher because it seemed fun to work with kids and help them the way my teachers helped me. When I got to high school I wanted to be a doctor because I … Continue reading

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How engineering could take you to Mars

March is National Engineering Month (NEM), which shines a spotlight on the role of engineering in society and (hopefully!) inspires future engineers to pursue engineering as a career path. As a soon-to-be mechanical engineering graduate at the University of Guelph, … Continue reading

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In Defence of Crafts

A few weeks ago one of my fellow Guiders was telling me about her latest Guide meeting.  One comment struck a particular chord:  “Last [night] one of my Guides was stressed that she hadn’t finished her craft. When I offered … Continue reading

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A Careful Eye on Gender Messaging

Over my past 8 years as a Unit Guider, I’ve taken my girls to a variety of events, outings, and sleepovers – horseback riding, snowshoeing, wilderness camping, heritage villages, wood working workshops, ceramics making, and many more. A common thread, … Continue reading

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The Power of an Expert

We all wish that we were good enough at everything to teach the Girl Guide program in fun and creative ways for every activity, badge, and skill. But I know that while I am pretty good at most things and … Continue reading

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WISEST U Alberta’s IlluminateIT Program

WISEST (Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science & Technology) is an organization at the University of Alberta that develops and delivers outreach experiences designed to encourage and empower girls and women in science, engineering and technology. The BlazeIT camp that Casey has written … Continue reading

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Engineering Quest

Earlier this spring, Pathfinders and Rangers from GGC Units across Nova Scotia got their science on at Engineering Quest, an Engineers Nova Scotia event, offering the girls a unique opportunity to see what an engineering career is all about. As Ranger … Continue reading

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Rockets, chemistry and liquid nitrogen, oh my!

Bringing Science to Life for Girls  Everyone knows a sleepover with friends is pretty fun. But a sleepover at the Canada Science and Technology Museum? Now that’s out of this world. With their toothbrushes, sleeping bags and curiosity packed, girls … Continue reading

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