Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore Unveil Innovation Station Van to bring STEAM Programming Across Monmouth & Ocean Counties
December 20, 2023
FARMINGDALE, NJ – (December 20, 2023) STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, is a form of education that combines academic lessons with real-life approaches. Our Girl Scout’s passion for STEAM is endless and now the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore will take STEAM on the road!
With support from Attentive Energy, Horizon BCBSNJ, ACECNJ and Jersey Shore BlueClaws, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore has launched a brand-new Innovation Station, a completely mobile STEAM learning center to provide empowering, hands-on STEAM learning opportunities to underserved girls in their communities.
On Saturday, December 9th at the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore annual Grinchmas and Light Fight at Camp Sacajawea in Farmingdale, Girl Scouts and Innovation Station sponsors gathered to unveil the unique cargo van that is now ready to be outfitted with modern, state of the art STEAM equipment.
STEAM is one of the fastest-growing job fields worldwide and STEAM education has been shown to break the cycle of poverty in low-income families through access to STEAM careers which offer higher salaries and job stability. Girl Scouts is a proven leader in providing STEAM education and mentorship for girls aged 5-18.
Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore has been working on this project for the past year, securing sponsors, locating the appropriate cargo van, and designing the eye-catching wrap for the vehicle. The next phase will require additional funding to support a STEAM program specialist and STEAM equipment such as 3D printers, robotics, microscopes, water and soil testing kits, and much more – giving girls a hands-on experiential learning experience.
Currently Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore serves 529 girls in low or no cost troops in 17 schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Heather Coburn, CEO, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, expressed to donors, “External factors such as transportation can prevent Girl Scouts from joining programs that enable them to grow personally and professionally. By bringing our STEAM programming on the road, we’re able to meet Girl Scouts where they’re at so they can continue exploring their interest in STEAM and future STEAM careers, helping to fill the workforce pipeline, and aid in closing the gender gap.”
Bob McLane, Jersey Shore BlueClaws General Manager, attended the unveiling and said, “The BlueClaws are proud to support the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore. STEAM education is an important part of a child’s development, so being able to bring these educational opportunities to underserved communities throughout the Jersey Shore is amazing.”
Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore was presented with a Senate Resolution from Senator Vin Gopal that states, “Thanks to the unwavering support of many generous donors, the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s mobile STEAM unit will ensure Girl Scouts from disadvantaged and remote areas have ample opportunity to learn, explore, and develop a variety of practical skills that will serve them well in their academic and professional journeys.”
“The Attentive Energy Two team has been proudly partnering and supporting Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore to ensure girls from across Monmouth and Ocean Counties have the access and opportunity to learn about the future of New Jersey’s growing offshore wind industry,” said Christen Wittman, Project Director, Attentive Energy. “As a Girl Scout for close to 10 years and an engineer, I know personally how hands-on experiences like using the mobile STEAM Innovation Station are instrumental in strengthening girls’ confidence, curiosity, and character. We are dedicated to supporting scouts from traditionally underserved communities in their exploration of STEAM careers and have donated 20 offshore wind model turbine kits as we launch this exciting new resource.”
For more information about opportunities to sponsor Innovation Station, contact Carla Scarabino at cscarabino@gsfun.org or call (800) 785-2090.
