THE GIRL SCOUTS
SHOOT FOR THE STARS
With STEM Badges
how a young girl perceives her own ability. Girl Scouts CEO Sylvia Acevedo understands the power of earning a coveted badge. AGirl Scout herself since the age of 7, Acevedo grew up mesmerized by the stars and earned her science badge by building a rocket. “From that, I learned I could do science, during a time when not a lot of girls were studying engineering.” Acevedo attributes Girl Scouts to having the power to “change destinies.” Her first job as an engineer was as a rocket scientist in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Acevedo would go on to work for IBM, Apple, and Dell before creating and selling her own software startup.
1913, the group introduced the electrician and flyer badges, and beginning in the 1980s, Girl Scouts could earn computer- related badges. However, the introduction of these new badges, with a focus on encouraging an interest in STEM, speaks to the organization’s desire to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields. While women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, only 24 percent of STEM positions are filled by women. A number of factors contribute to this imbalance, but the assumption that women cannot succeed in “smart” fields persists, even among young girls. Research from New York University found that, at the age of 5, girls and boys alike are inclined to associate traits like “brilliance” with their own gender. However, by the age of 6, there’s a shift, and girls become less likely to believe a girl can be “really, really smart.” Can a single Girl Scout badge turn the tide of gender imbalance in STEM fields? No, of course not. But a single badge can change
Since the first troop meeting in 1912, the Girl Scouts of the USA have strived to build the courage, confidence, and character of girls around the world. In July 2017, the Girl Scouts proved once again why they are one of the most respected leadership development organization for girls by introducing 23 new badges focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
It's not all cookies and homemaking, and these aren’t the first STEM badges Girl
Scouts have been able to earn. The Girl Scouts have a long history of encouraging young women to explore STEM- related fields. In
With more STEM badges to come and a rocket scientist leading the charge, the future of the Girl Scouts looks brilliant!
TOO YOUNG FOR BRACES? 7 Ways Early Evaluation Helps Kids at Age 7 3. Help end bad habits. When permanent teeth start to come in, thumb sucking or pacifier use can lead to future dental problems.Your orthodontist can help break these and other harmful habits, like thrusting the tongue into the front teeth when swallowing or breathing through themouth.
clearly. For example, having an open bite, when the front top and bottom teeth don’t touch, can impair speech. 6. Prevent or correct crowding. Beyond aesthetics, crowded teeth can be painful and difficult to clean properly, leading to a high risk for tooth decay and gumdisease. 7. Boost self-confidence by improving appearance. No child should be afraid to smile. Early evaluation can help give your child healthy, beautiful teeth they’re proud to show off. Early evaluation gives orthodontists the opportunity to use less invasivemethods and correct minor issues before they can become major problems. At PitnerOrthodontics, you don’t need a referral froma dentist to take advantage of the free evaluation!
Losing baby teeth is an exciting experience. For kids, it means a visit from the tooth fairy! For parents, it means it’s time to think about orthodontics.While few children will needmajor orthodontic treatment at this age, the AmericanAssociation ofOrthodontists recommends children be evaluated by an orthodontist at age 7. Here are seven ways early evaluation can benefit your child. 1. Guide permanent teeth into the correct position. At 7, the first molars and incisors begin to erupt.With regular evaluation, an orthodontist can help these permanent teeth grow correctly, hopefully avoiding additional, expensive treatment in the future. 2. Correct an underbite or crossbite. Underbites, when the lower teeth rest in front of the upper teeth, and crossbites, when the back top teeth rest inside the lower teeth, can only be corrected before your child’s mouth finishes developing at age 10.
4. Guide jaw development. Orthodontics can spot if your child’s jaw is misaligned and take steps to correct it while the upper jaw is still growing. 5. Improve speech patterns. The way your teeth come in affects your ability to speak
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