At Girl Scouts – Diamonds, we take the important task of introducing STEM topics to girls to the next level with our focus on STEAM programming. Our STEAM Center events give girls hands-on opportunities to incorporate Art into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
The STEAM Center at Burnham Woods is located at the Girl Scouts – Diamonds Midwest Region property in Fort Smith and is a place where girls can discover and explore their STEAM passions through hands-on, learning-by-doing activities in a girl-focused, girl-led environment. The STEAM Center is led by the STEAM Center manager, along with a STEAM activities leader and interns from the local university, who host STEAM-focused programs and badge workshops, as well as training for leaders.
When girls participate in Girl Scout STEM programs, they benefit in four important ways.
STEM Interest
Girls are excited about STEM subjects and want to learn more about them.
STEM Confidence
Girls have confidence in their STEM skills and abilities.
STEM Competence
Girls think scientifically to solve problems.
STEM Value
Girls learn the importance and relevance of STEM to people and society.
STEAM is a key program focus for Girl Scouts - Diamonds, and that focus is particularly strong at the ever-evolving space at Burnham Woods. Girl Scouting introduces girls of all ages to STEAM activities that help develop their creativity and hone their critical thinking skills. Whether it’s building a robot, learning to code, or conducting electrical experiments, we are helping girls move into a future that is constantly changing and evolving. Like all Girl Scout programs, STEAM activities offer girls the opportunity to explore and learn in a safe, peer-supportive, “okay-to-fail” environment. This increases girls’ confidence in their own abilities, enhances self-reflection and evaluation skills, and encourages positive social development.
A variety of programming and events happens on a regular basis at the STEAM Center and around the council, focused in the areas of robotics, engineering, computer science and outdoor/citizen science. Registration is required to attend STEAM Center programs. Search our events pages for STEAM activities.
Special thanks to ABB for sponsoring STEAM Center events for 2023!
