Girl Scouts of the USA Creates New FIRST Participation Patch
As part of the ongoing partnership between FIRST and the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), the national scouting organization recently created a new participation patch, which will be awarded to a Girl Scout who takes part in any FIRST competition, tournament, or championship event.
The colorful patch includes the FIRST logo, as well as a symbolic representation of technology and girl-power on and off the FIRST playing field. The patches are available for purchase at local or regional Council Stores.
“Special thanks goes to the Girl Scout members of FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 1302 'PoJo Robotics' and 'Rock n' Roll Robots,' a FIRST Tech Challenge team comprised of girls from Greater Long Beach, San Fernando Valley, and Mt. Wilson Vista Girl Scout Councils, in helping to conceptualize this patch,” says Suman Sabastin, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Project Manager for Technology and Engineering at the GSUSA.
The Girl Scouts partnered with FIRST in April 2008 to encourage more girls to pursue careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. In addition, the partnership is designed to foster opportunities for girls to explore STEM careers by providing hands-on experience in the designing, building, and programming of robots while applying the concept of Gracious Professionalism – the FIRST motto that defines a way of performing which encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community where fierce competition and mutual gain can be simultaneously achieved.
"In this ever-increasing technologically-focused global society, it is essential for us to give our girls the tools they need to thrive," said Norma Barquet, Executive Vice President, Girl Scouts of the USA.