Wabash Valley Girl Scouts were encouraged to become leaders in the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematics March 24 during a special Girl Scouts Discover STEM @ Rose-Hulman event.

Nearly 90 Girl Scouts in the second through eighth grades filled the Sports and Recreation Center to participate in multiple hands-on activities to discover fun aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Completing these activities gave them the opportunity to earn the Girl Scouts’ engineering badge, offered for the first time by the organization in hope of encouraging girls toward STEM careers.

Rose-Hulman student organizations hosting activities were Alpha Chi Sigma, Alpha Phi Omega, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Blue Key Honor Society, Chem E-Car team, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers.

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana and Novelis joined with Rose-Hulman’s Logan Library and Sports & Recreation Facilities Office to sponsor the event. Novelis provided a $2,000 grant as part of the company’s Women in Novelis initiative to increase the number of women working in STEM.

Youths and troop leaders wishing to participate next year should contact Jaime Hubbard of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana.