Girl scout science

Thanks to a new partnership between the Optical Society of America’s nonprofit foundation and the Girl Scouts of the USA, Girl Scouts who complete an activity book focusing on optics and photonics will earn an optics charm—similar to a merit badge—to wear on a special bracelet. Gary Bjorklund, chair of the OSA Foundation, said the partnership proposal was made to the Girl Scouts because the foundation “has been looking for a broad-reaching program to make a major impact on youth science education. The Girl Scouts were a natural fit for us to address these objectives on a national scale.” While the foundation is not giving a direct grant to support the program, it is paying for the books, charms, and other material involved in the project. The overall cost hasn’t been determined.

Monica Shah, manager of science and technology for the Girl Scouts, said the OSA partnership proposal addressed one of her organization’s key goals: helping girls become and remain enthusiastic about math and science. Shah cited studies indicating that girls tend to lose interest in science as they progress through elementary school into middle school; she said, “Engaging girls in science at an early age is absolutely critical to allowing them to reach their full potential. Without education in this area, doors close for them before they even realize what has happened.” The Girl Scouts expect to begin using the new optics book, which will include activities, experiments, and career profiles, in 2006.