The STEAM Center at Burnham Woods

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.

Pardon our mess at Burnham Woods!

Exciting things are happening at Burnham Woods in Fort Smith. Renovations are now underway at Kelley Cabin and our future Arts Building (formerly the office).

We’re committed to keeping the STEAM Center open and accessible throughout this project. You can continue making reservations through our reservation management system as usual. A property technician will reach out within 7 days of your scheduled visit to walk you through check-in/check-out procedures and any construction-related updates.

Learn more about the project and our safety precautions in the drop-down menu below.

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Burnham Woods Renovation Project Press Release and Fact Sheet

Safety First!

Your safety is our top priority at Girl Scouts – Diamonds. Construction zones will be marked with cones, fencing, and signage. Our property technician will let you know about any changes. like using an alternate entrance or avoiding certain paths, when they confirm your reservation. These logistics may shift as the project progresses, so please follow all instructions from property management during your visit.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility during this exciting transformation. If you have questions about booking a day trip to the STEAM Center or want more information about the construction project, contact us at info@girlscoutsdiamonds.org or 1-800-632-6894.

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.

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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.

Find STEAM programs and events

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.

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FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) aims to inspire girls to become science and technology leaders. This mentor-based program is designed to inspire innovation, cultivate interest in STEM fields, and foster life skills (such as self-confidence, verbal communication, and team-building).

About FIRST

For more information about current teams or starting a team, contact us.

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ABB Girls in STEM

Get your girl or Girl Scout troop excited about STEM with this fun, hands-on patch program sponsored by ABB! Practice the Design Thinking Process by creating a paper circuit, a hydraulic piston robot, or an electromagnetic recycling-sorting machine.

Attend a STEAM Center event or request a FREE supply kit including a Troop Leader Guide, Girl Scout Workbook, and select supplies to complete this patch on your own. Kits will include your ABB patch.

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Learn about all the STEM badges Girl Scouts can earn using the Badge and Award Explorer! Select STEM from dropdown list to see all STEM badges, or add in a grade level to see the STEM badges available for each Girl Scout age level.