Girl Scout ‘Invention Convention’ coming to SRU

March 18, 2016

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - What do windshield wipers, COBOL computer languages, Kevlar and chocolate chip cookies all have in common? Women invented them all.

Approximately 300 young women in the form of Girl Scouts from the Western Pennsylvania Council will visit Slippery Rock University from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 2, for the "Invention Convention" in the McKay Education Building.

SRU's student chapter of the National Science Teachers Association will host the event and provide 30 student volunteers to assist with the day's activities.

Representatives from SRU, Box of Light, LEGO Robotics and the PITT Mobile Science Lab will be on hand to provide scouts with some tech savvy, hands-on experiences that will teach them how to turn their ideas into realities. Sigma Alpha Iota, the international music fraternity for women, will also be on hand to provide some musical fun.

Through the event, Brownies will be able to earn the home scientist badge; Junior Scouts, the product designer badge; and Cadettes the special agent badge. Daisies, Senior Scouts and Ambassadors will each be able to earn a fun patch.

NSTA student volunteers will engage the Scouts in such science programs as "Weird Glop and Balloon Blowing," "Magnet Hunt and Static Electricity," First Class Airplane," "It's the Last Straw," "Aluminum Boat Float," "Rotor Promoter" and "Life Save Puff Mobiles." The activities are a two-fold experience, providing learning opportunities for the Scouts, and an occasion for the student volunteers to practice teaching skills.

Troop leaders and parents will accompany the Scouts throughout the day's activities.

MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu