My Journey to Become a Citizen Scientist

Let's start out by thinking about what it means to be a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) thinker (not an expert). As a Co-leader, we are expected to take on roles that we might not be familiar with. Thankfully, Girl Scouts offers instructional materials via their gsLearn portal, so that volunteers like ourselves can feel confident teaching our future girl leaders topics that we might not have much knowledge about. 

I was in the Coast Guard for 6 years as an Information Systems Technician second class, so I have a lot of knowledge in the areas of telephony and computers. After I got out and got my BFA in animation and visual effects, I went on to work for KiwiCo as a technical illustrator, illustrating instructions for kids DIY projects for 6 years. I love STEM.

The field of Citizen Science is a great place for girls to explore and help other scientists around the world work on STEM projects and contribute to meaningful research and make a difference in their community.

Girls will need to complete a Take Action project and come up with an initiative that has a lasting impact on their community, long after their initial Citizen Scientist Journey is complete. 

Our local council, North Carolina Coastal Pines is hosting a Journey of a Journey Citizen Scientist event on November 20, 2021 at the Havelock campus of Craven Community College for 80+ registered girls representing Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow and Pamlico counties. All levels, Daisy-Ambassador will be represented, so it is going to be an AWESOME event. 

I contributed two worksheets for the girls participating, so they could have a clear understanding of where they need to start, for their Take Action project after the event. Girls are encouraged to use the project finder on the scistarter or zooniverse platforms to find a project and make it happen!

You can download the two worksheets here, if you couldn't make it to the event , but still want a resource for your troop to have for the Citizen Scientist Journey. 

Want to join a Girl Scout troop in your area? Use the Girl Scout Council Finder and get started!

Here is the PDF download for the Citizen Scientist Worksheets (All Levels):