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Press Release

NEW JERSEY – Girl Scouts of the USA and Johnson & Johnson worked collaboratively on new badge programs which will encourage and inform girls about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) opportunities and careers.  We hope that you and your audience will be interested in how this collaboration will impact girls in New Jersey.

Last week, sixty-seven (67) New Jersey girls from the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey were among the first Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors to earn the NEW ‘Think Like A Citizen Scientist Journey’! During this one-day workshop, girls learned how to observe, collect, and analyze data that will be reported online to help scientific research projects.

The girls, who came from across the region, toured the Johnson & Johnson Museum (“J&J”) to learn more about the history of women in STEM.  Did you know that J&J launched in 1886 with only fourteen (14) employees and eight (8) of them were women?  It took another twenty-two (22) years for Chemist Edith von Kuster to become the company’s first women scientist in 1908.

After their tour, girls were assigned to smaller groups to participate in an activity led by a J&J Fellow.  The girls had to 1) observe like a scientist 2) analyze data like a scientist and then 3) capture new data for an experiment run by NASA.

The final part of the day’s program was an open discussion with J&J staff members concerning their career journey in STEM. The girls asked about what it is like to work at J&J; they asked what Fellows are doing in their current role; and what skills are needed to be a J&J Fellow.

Girl Scouts of the USA is one of the largest leadership development organization for girls, preparing our nation’s female youth to become leaders and advocates for themselves and their communities. Building on years of evidence-based research, they are expanding the scouting experience to include more experiential explorations in STEM.

This program is a collaboration between Girl Scouts of the USA and Johnson & Johnson Corporation. With J&J Headquarters located within the GSCSNJ’s footprint, these Girl Scouts have an advantage with access to this and future Citizen Scientist programs.

Except as noted, all girls from Millville- Julianna G., Alyssa L. (Upper Deerfield), Olivia Z., Rene Hogan (GSCSNJ), Isabella G., Gianna W, and Hannah G.

(L to R): Lianna P (Sayerville), Emaya A. (Iselin), Michelle P (Perth Amboy), and Mia A., (Perth Amboy).