Ladybirds earn STEM badges
BRAY Ladybirds were among the first members of the Irish Girl Guides (IGG) to complete the brand new STEM badge, launched during the recent Science Week from November 11 to 18.
The badge aims to encourage girls from as young as five to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Hundreds of Ladybirds - IGG members aged five to seven – earned the badge by taking part in science experiments and engineering projects, like building towers, making telephones using string and using magnets.
By taking part in these fun activities, the girls are learning about balance, stability and planning, how sound travels, magnetism etc.
It is hoped that doing this will spark an interest in STEM subjects that they will pursue inside and outside of school.
Sinead Bayliss, a leader with Bray Ladybirds, said: ‘ The STEM badge is a unique opportunity to cover a wide range of topics in a fun, creative and informative way.
‘Doing the STEM activities is a great excuse for girls to get messy with slime or oobleck, investigate with magnets and slopes, experiment with water and food colouring, play with numbers and stack or build with anything,’ she said.
‘ There was a great excitement as they set about the tasks, fascination as girls stuck pencils into bags of water and they didn’t leak everywhere and laughter as they mixed various concoctions from cornflour and made a terrible mess.
‘ This is the most fun badge we have ever worked on because the girls were so enthusiastic and the possibilities were endless!’
IGG Programme and Training Commissioner Jenny Gannon said: ‘We are delighted to launch our new STEM badge for Ladybirds during Science Week. It complements the Science Investigator and Engineering badges we already have for Brownies (aged seven to 10) and Guides (aged 10-14).’
She said that STEM activities help girls develop problem-solving, teamwork and other life-skills.