On Saturday, Sept. 26, more than 200 Girl Scouts spent the day exploring and discovering during Science Alive, an event hosted by Norfolk State University to introduce girls to the world of science, technology, engineering and math. More than 100 students and faculty from Norfolk State volunteered to assist with the event.

Girl Scouts were welcomed to Norfolk State University by Dr. Sandra DeLoatch, provost and vice president for academic affairs at the university. As a former board member for Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, Dr. DeLoatch is familiar with the needs in today’s society to give girls a fun and comfortable environment to develop their interests in science, technology, engineering and math careers.

Throughout the day, Girl Scouts rotated through a variety of workshops where they programmed robots, put together electronic circuits, explored the world of microbiology and discovered symmetry in nature. They also had the opportunity to see chemical reactions come to life by making slime and gained insight into a science-related career in the nursing lab. While girls were learning and experimenting, parents had the opportunity to participate in workshops about financial literacy and tutoring.

During lunch, the Girl Scouts had the opportunity to speak with the Norfolk State students to learn about college life. They also participated in the traditional lunchtime dance party.

Science Alive is designed to give girls the chance to investigate the world of science and technology in the supportive, all-girl environment of Girl Scouts, where they are more likely to try new things and ask questions. Today, women hold only approximately 25 percent of science, technology, engineering and math careers, and Girl Scouts is working with community partners, such as Norfolk State University, to fill this gap. By giving girls the opportunity to interact with women in these careers, girls are inspired to envision themselves in similar careers in the future. Science Alive is a fun and informal way for girls to develop their critical thinking skills, expand their curiosity and improve their confidence.

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the Society of Women Engineers will be hosting a workshop for girls in fourth and fifth grade on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Old Dominion University. Girl Scouts is also hosting a STEMagination Expo at its regional program center, A Place for Girls in Chesapeake, on Jan. 24. These events are open to all girls, whether or not they are Girl Scouts. For more information about attending an upcoming event or joining Girl Scouts, visit www.gsccc.org.