While women have made great strides in education and entry into the workforce, they continue to be underrepresented in STEM college majors and careers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, when today's girls graduate from college, the United States will need 3 million more scientists and engineers. However, women currently hold less than 25% of STEM jobs. Additionally, a Girl Scout Research Institute study found that 74% of girls surveyed are interested in STEM; however, only a small percentage say it's their first choice as a career. National research suggests that it is possible to increase girls' interest in STEM through projects that involve interaction with female role models and learning how STEM can make the world a better place. Therefore, we have developed a unique approach to STEM based on the evidence that girls need a safe space to challenge gender stereotypes in an out‐of‐school, girl‐led, learning-by-doing, and cooperative learning setting. Through our STEM program/badge curriculum, we help girls build the skills necessary for college and career readiness ‐ putting them on a path to success.

Through our Financial Literacy program, girls are challenged to work in teams and create their own businesses in the largest, most successful girl-led business in the world, the Girl Scout Cookie Program. In the Cookie Program, girls learn five skills that will financially empower them and build them up to be our women business leaders of tomorrow: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. The financial literacy program’s power to teach entrepreneurship and develop business and financial skills that will serve girls throughout their lives is unrivaled. Girl Scouts is unique in that we start teaching financial literacy through the Cookie Program in kindergarten.

Whether it’s by exercising and staying healthy; developing strong relationships with adults and peers; advocating on behalf of others; identifying and solving a community problem; exploring careers that can truly change the world for the better; or gaining practical knowledge in areas such as budgeting, philanthropy, making smart buying decisions, and financial planning, girls gain the life skills and the inspiration to accept challenges, overcome obstacles, and take the lead.

Through spending time outdoors, girls gain increased health benefits by participating in challenging physical fitness activities (i.e., canoeing, hiking, challenge course, horseback riding, and swimming) and an appreciation for the great outdoors. They will push themselves outside their comfort zone and develop the resilience to overcome initial setbacks toward success in mastering a new skill. They will also develop leadership skills and 21st century skills that are necessary for success in school, careers, and in everyday life. Girls will also develop a stronger sense of self by overcoming fears, successfully leading activities, and mastering tasks they thought they might not be able to accomplish. Girl Scouts’ research shows that girls who recognize their value, strengths, and have a stronger sense of self (confidence) are less likely to drop out of school and are more likely to avoid risky behaviors.

Through our Outreach Mentoring Program, we provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for little or no cost to girls with proven financial need. We supplement the cost of supplies and provide paid mentors in areas where it is difficult to recruit volunteer troop leaders. The assistance provided by paid mentors makes it possible for more girls to participate while still allowing us to provide a high-quality program at minimal cost. A study conducted by the Girl Scout Research Institute found that Girl Scout programs have a positive impact on girls’ academic success, especially underserved girls (Linking Leadership to Academic Success: The Girl Scout Difference, 2012). Our Outreach Mentoring Program reaches girls at a critical age where there is an opportunity to prevent future challenges such as depression, substance abuse, truancy and drop-outs, teen pregnancy, poverty, or unemployment.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) includes four program areas: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Financial Literacy (Entrepreneurship), Life Skills, and Outdoor Education (Camp). The GSLE is specifically designed to help girls develop five outcomes or skills: sense of self, positive values, healthy relationships, challenge seeking, and community problem solving. When a girl develops these five skills, she'll become a girl who stands up for herself and believes she can do anything; a girl who is honest, reliable and caring; a girl who isn't afraid to go outside her comfort zone; a girl who gets along with and works well with others; and a girl who is an active and engaged citizen. All activities within the GSLE are carried out using the following three processes to achieve positive outcomes. In the GLSE: 1) Activities are "Girl Led." Girls take an active and age-appropriate role in figuring out what, when, how, and why they are going to do something. They lead the planning as much as possible. 2) Girls "Learn by doing." All activities are hands-on. Girls learn best when they learn to do things themselves and have an opportunity to ask questions and find answers. When girls actively participate in meaningful activities and later reflect on them, they gain a deeper understanding of concepts. 3) Girls engage in "Cooperative Learning." Working together promotes the sharing of knowledge, skills, and learning. Girls collaboratively in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) includes four program areas: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Financial Literacy (Entrepreneurship), Life Skills, and Outdoor Education (Camp). All girls in grades K-12 are eligible to participate. In the GSLE, girls earn badges by completing activities in a variety of different areas in order to master new skills and develop invaluable social-emotional skills. The GSLE is specifically designed to help girls develop five outcomes: sense of self, positive values, healthy relationships, challenge seeking, and community problem-solving. When a girl develops these five skills, she'll become a girl who stands up for herself and believes she can do anything; a girl who is honest, reliable and caring; a girl who isn't afraid to go outside her comfort zone; a girl who gets along with and works well with others; and a girl who is an active and engaged citizen. All activities within the GSLE are carried out using the following three processes to achieve positive outcomes. In the GLSE: 1) Activities are "Girl Led." Girls take an active and age-appropriate role in figuring out what, when, how, and why they are going to do something. They lead the planning as much as possible. 2) Girls "Learn by doing." All activities are hands-on. Girls learn best when they learn to do things themselves and have an opportunity to ask questions and find answers. When girls actively participate in meaningful activities and later reflect on them, they gain a deeper understanding of concepts. 3) Girls engage in "Cooperative Learning." Working together promotes the sharing of knowledge, skills, and learning. Girls collaboratively in an atmosphere of respect and collaboration.