When girls have the ability to step up act independently, they grow into confident leaders who can make informed and empowered decisions all on their own.
At Girl Scouts there’s something for everyone, and girls have the freedom to tailor our program to fit all of their individual needs and interests.
Together with their troops, girls are able to pursue the activities that they’re passionate about — whether that be an overnight backpacking trip to a state park, a community service project to help shelter animals, or learning to build robots at a badge workshop.
In Girl Scouts, girls are nurtured to find their interests and their power. In a supportive, all-girl environment, they explore passions from coding to camping, ensuring they find something they love. Activities span STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math), outdoor adventures, financial literacy (hello, cookie sales!), civic engagement, and the arts, giving girls varied experiences that they may not get through school or other clubs.
And girls become life ready. Beyond hobbies, Girl Scouts develop resilience, leadership and problem-solving skills, paving the way to prestigious achievements like the Gold Award, which helps with college and careers. This award-winning program is open to all girls, from all backgrounds and abilities, ensuring every girl has a place to belong and grow.
We want our girls to dream big — no matter what the dream. Girl Scouts provides the tools, community, and safe space to explore and excel. Come to a Discover Girl Scouts event this season where girls will get a taste of outdoor activities in an indoor setting! When you attend, your girl will receive a free patch and free activity book, meet new friends, and have loads of fun! Learn more and find an event near you at gsccc.org/discover.
Try this Girl Scout STEM sampler activity at home with your girl to celebrate National Popcorn Day in January!
Dancing Popcorn: Demonstrates Chemical Reaction and Density
For National Popcorn Day (January 19), a classic and engaging activity is the “Dancing Popcorn” science experiment. Using seltzer water is the easiest way to perform this experiment with kids, as it requires fewer ingredients than the traditional baking soda and vinegar method.
How to Make Popcorn “Dance”
- Prepare the Liquid: Fill a clear tall glass or jar roughly 3/4 full with fresh, fizzy seltzer water or club soda.
- Add the Kernels: Drop 10–15 unpopped popcorn kernels into the glass.
- Observe: Initially, the kernels will sink because they are denser than the water. After a few seconds, carbon dioxide bubbles will attach to the kernels’ rough surfaces, acting like tiny life jackets that lift them to the surface.
- The “Dance”: When the bubbles reach the top and pop, the kernels lose their buoyancy and sink back down, only to be lifted again by new bubbles.
Educational Variations
- Compare Liquids: Set up a second glass with plain tap water to show that without carbonation, the kernels stay at the bottom.
- Test Temperatures: Try the experiment with cold seltzer versus room-temperature.
This engaging STEM activity is great for all ages, and is a good example of the kinds of hands-on fun that Girl Scouts participate in to earn badges!
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