Digital Scotland Challenge Badge – Girlguiding Scotland

Published 08/08/2019.  Last updated 11/04/2023
sourcePractice exemplars groupsCommunity Learning and Development (CLD) categorySTEM categoryInclusion Wellbeing and Equality

​The Digital Scotland Challenge Badge was created in partnership with Skills Development Scotland and Education Scotland.

The badge offers a range of activities and challenges and is open to Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers - so girls of all ages can get involved in STEM-related learning.

Why a Digital Scotland Challenge Badge?

Research by Girlguiding Scotland highlights that science and technology still continue to be perceived as more male subjects, with one in two girls saying science, technology, engineering and maths subjects were ‘more for boys’ while only 37% of girls said they would consider a job in technology. The Digital Scotland Challenge badge aims to change those perceptions and teaches young girls about computers, algorithms, creativity, design, and computational thinking, as well as highlighting career options in the industry.​

Guiding Leader with Guide​

 

Claire McGinley / STEM Girls

YMCA Paisley STEM Girls​

The YMCA developed the first STEM club for girls in 2018 after their own research found that boys made up over ninety per cent of their digital workshops. The YMCA hope that their innovative code clubs will debunk the myth that STEM learning is for boys and will help girls develop skills that will support them become the next generation of digital experts.

It's the first time the YMCA has delivered a girls only project. At the weekly clubs, girls aged between eight to sixteen tap into creativity and design through science and cutting-edge tech projects - from making musical instruments to designing interactive virtual reality environments.

A Girl Guide's View

Challenge/Self-improvement questions

  • How well do you ensure the provision of learning opportunities for your staff and volunteers to improve their competence and confidence in using digital technology and social media?
  • How well do you ensure all your digital learning opportunities are up-to-date and relevant?
  • Are there guidelines and/or practices addressing gender stereotyping and bias in your organisation?  Are these relevant and up-to-date?
  • How well does your organisation collaborate with digital champions within the sector and beyond to deliver quality learning and development opportunities?
  • Are your staff aware of the various learner pathways and job opportunities w​ithin STEM​.

Download(s)

PDF file: Improving Gender Balance - Literature Review (735 KB)

PDF file: Youthlink Scotland's - Digitally Agile National Principles (224 KB)​​

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Digital Scotland Challenge Badge – Girlguiding Scotland

Published 08/08/2019.  Last updated 11/04/2023
sourcePractice exemplars groupsCommunity Learning and Development (CLD) categorySTEM categoryInclusion Wellbeing and Equality

​The Digital Scotland Challenge Badge was created in partnership with Skills Development Scotland and Education Scotland.

The badge offers a range of activities and challenges and is open to Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers - so girls of all ages can get involved in STEM-related learning.

Why a Digital Scotland Challenge Badge?

Research by Girlguiding Scotland highlights that science and technology still continue to be perceived as more male subjects, with one in two girls saying science, technology, engineering and maths subjects were ‘more for boys’ while only 37% of girls said they would consider a job in technology. The Digital Scotland Challenge badge aims to change those perceptions and teaches young girls about computers, algorithms, creativity, design, and computational thinking, as well as highlighting career options in the industry.​

Guiding Leader with Guide​

 

Claire McGinley / STEM Girls

YMCA Paisley STEM Girls​

The YMCA developed the first STEM club for girls in 2018 after their own research found that boys made up over ninety per cent of their digital workshops. The YMCA hope that their innovative code clubs will debunk the myth that STEM learning is for boys and will help girls develop skills that will support them become the next generation of digital experts.

It's the first time the YMCA has delivered a girls only project. At the weekly clubs, girls aged between eight to sixteen tap into creativity and design through science and cutting-edge tech projects - from making musical instruments to designing interactive virtual reality environments.

A Girl Guide's View

Challenge/Self-improvement questions

  • How well do you ensure the provision of learning opportunities for your staff and volunteers to improve their competence and confidence in using digital technology and social media?
  • How well do you ensure all your digital learning opportunities are up-to-date and relevant?
  • Are there guidelines and/or practices addressing gender stereotyping and bias in your organisation?  Are these relevant and up-to-date?
  • How well does your organisation collaborate with digital champions within the sector and beyond to deliver quality learning and development opportunities?
  • Are your staff aware of the various learner pathways and job opportunities w​ithin STEM​.

Download(s)

PDF file: Improving Gender Balance - Literature Review (735 KB)

PDF file: Youthlink Scotland's - Digitally Agile National Principles (224 KB)​​

^ Back to top