Kansas State University Salina joins Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland for Program on Demand initiative
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015
SALINA — After collaborating with the Girls Scouts of Kansas Heartland for the past five years in a variety of capacities, Kansas State University Salina is elevating the partnership by joining the Girl Scouts' Program on Demand initiative.
Exactly what the name suggests, K-State Salina will be a resource for troops at their request, creating learning experiences tailored to the individual troops' interests and schedule. These specifically designed programs will have a focus in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, and will coincide with badge work, community service projects or extracurricular activities.
"We're thrilled to be working with an organization as iconic as the Girl Scouts and we value the importance of educating, motivating and empowering these young women," said Kirsten Zoller, K-State Salina's event coordinator. "Whether it's through our collegiate degrees, our youth Discover Programs or this new partnership, the campus wants to help young people change the world."
A signature Program on Demand K-State Salina will offer fulfills the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland's Product Designer badge. During the workshop, the girls will learn about product development and discuss how everyday items they use are created and what needs they fill. The troop members also will brainstorm their own product ideas and then design them.
One of the goals of the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland is to make sure every girl has the opportunity to explore and build an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The organization's collaboration with K-State Salina is a relevant fit because most of the campus's degree programs are deeply rooted in STEM disciplines and faculty and students can contribute hands-on learning and expertise.
"K-State Salina offers technology and resources that are not always accessible to our average troop leader," said Julie Schott, the youth leadership community developer for Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. "Having university experts as facilitators provides a huge benefit to the girls as they can share real life experiences and detailed knowledge about each topic."
Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland covers 80 counties and serves 15,000 girl and adult members.
K-State Salina's professional education and outreach department works with a variety of community members offering youth programs in the summer, lifelong learning programs through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, professional development courses and college credit for high school students.
For more information about K-State Salina's professional education and outreach department's programming, contact Zoller at 785-826-7182 or kzoller@k-state.edu.
