STEM, Caves and Cookies

Girl Scouts and Sigma Gamma Rho Help Girls Imagine Engineering Careers

I'm going to wait right here while you click that link and read the blog. But please come back to join me here..

STEM

I read this article and was very impressed, but why. I wrestled with why this is so important to us, cavers.

When most Americans are asked what their first thought is of when we mention Girl Scouts, we think of cookies. REALLY??? Is that what we really think is the biggest contribution of the largest girl's organization in the United States? GSUSA is stepping up their game and we need to take notice. We need to spread the word. Girl Scouts of United States of America are strong supporters of girls in S.T.E.M. carreers.

While a large majority of STEM careers in the US are held by men, it's important to know that many contributions have been made by women. Google Gertrude B. Elion, Ann Druyan, Dian Fossey, Carol Greider, Grace Murray Hopper, Stephenie Kwolek, Rosalyn Yalow, and Sally Ride. There are many, many more women of science, technology, engineering and math you can learn about and their contributions.

Caves

What does this have to do with youth and caving?

Biology, geology, hydrology, cartography are some of the sciences we directly associate with caves, caving and cavers. The equipment that we use has been greatly enhanced, making caving safer, by science and engineering. LEDs for lights, balistic nylon for gear, helmet tecnology and new rope materials are just a few major improvments to caving safety. Just about everything we do has been effected by STEM in one way or another.

Cookies

The next time you buy a box of Thin Mints take a look at the girl who is selling them. Think of what the possibilites of her future hold for her and how those cookies will support her dreams. Those cookies will seem to taste a whole lot better.

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Thanks,
Allen
"Take nothing but picture, leave nothing but well place footprints, kill nothing but time." - caver's creed