Girl Scouts learn how to make a difference with new 'Coding for Good' badges

Girl Scouts of the USA just unveiled 18 new badges that its members can earn for computer programming. But these badges come with a typical Girl Scouts twist: Participants will learn how to use the power of computer programming to make a difference.

The "Coding for Good" badges are available for every age group in Girl Scouts, which serves girls from kindergarten through 12th grade. As participants learn the basics of coding, which includes algorithm design, they also get opportunities to build memes, games, and features that spread positive messages, tackle important issues, or promote healthy habits.

Girl Scouts has long offered STEM programming, but the Coding for Good badges are an effort to show girls how tech skills are relevant to their broader interest in doing something useful or important in their communities.

"Girls are much more interested in STEM careers if that connection is made for them," says Suzanne Harper, senior director of national STEM strategy for Girl Scouts of the USA.

A 2016 Girl Scouts survey of more than 1,000 members also indicated that they enjoyed using digital products like games and apps but wanted to create those tools, not just consume them.

After hearing from members that learning experiences shouldn't feel like school, Girl Scouts designed its computer science programming to focus on fun activities. To learn about algorithms, for example, Daisies (girls in kindergarten and 1st grade) get a recipe and ingredients to make a S'more. Older Girl Scouts receive two different sets of instructions for making trail mix, then split into groups to prepare the tasty snack. The task is meant to mimic what a "detailed" algorithm would look like compared to an "efficient" algorithm. (Yes, the Girl Scouts get to eat whatever they've created.)

Once the foundational concepts are in place, the girls complete coding activities that include programming a simple maze game, creating a meme, building data visualizations, and developing app ideas. Participants learn about influential women in computer programming, and how they can use their new tech skills to address an issue they care about.

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The badges can be earned with or without access to a computer or mobile device, making it possible for members of all socioeconomic backgrounds to participate. Girl Scouts launched the badges as part of the debut of 42 new badges, including nine new cybersecurity badges.

The Coding for Good badges, which were piloted by 342 girls, couldn't have come at a better time given the ongoing debate over how the lack of diversity in artificial intelligence and computer science ultimately perpetuates stereotypes and bias.

"It's very appealing to girls to think about how they can bring that lens to the work they’re doing," says Harper. "They know in their own lives how powerful it is."