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Girl Scouts Reach for the Stars at Sacramento’s Aerospace Museum
How an inspiring STEM expo turned a weekend into a launchpad for young dreamers.
The sound of laughter and discovery filled the air at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan Park as Girl Scouts from across the region gathered for an unforgettable day of exploration.
Under the theme “Reach for the Stars,” the Girl Scouts Heart of Central California hosted their annual expo—an energetic showcase blending hands-on STEM experiences with leadership and creativity.
The moment guests stepped through the museum doors, they were met with a buzz of excitement.
Girls in crisp green sashes darted between exhibits, their eyes wide as they tinkered with robotics, experimented with circuits, and built paper rockets beneath towering aircraft. The scene looked like the future taking shape—curiosity in motion.
A Playground for the Imagination
The museum’s spacious hangar became a playground of science and innovation. At one corner, scouts peered through microscopes at shimmering slides.
In another, volunteers guided them through mini-engineering challenges, showing how small adjustments could make a structure sturdier or a vehicle move faster.
One of the biggest crowd-pleasers was the Mobile STEM Center, a vibrant traveling lab designed to bring science to life wherever girls gather.
The center was packed with tech-forward activities—coding games, mechanical puzzles, and creative experiments—all designed to make STEM learning accessible and fun.
Linda E. Farley, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, said it best:
“Events like this give girls the space to imagine boldly, experiment freely, and see themselves as future innovators. That’s what empowerment looks like in action.”
The sentiment rang true throughout the day. Whether they were programming a robot to dance or crafting their own model rockets, the girls weren’t just following instructions—they were leading their own learning.
Leadership Starts with Curiosity
What made the event feel truly special wasn’t just the experiments or activities—it was the sense of shared purpose.
Older scouts mentored younger ones, explaining projects and encouraging them when things didn’t go as planned. Parents and volunteers stood nearby, not to direct, but to cheer on the creativity unfolding in front of them.
Each activity was designed with intention: not just to teach science or math, but to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership.
Many girls earned badge steps in STEM and innovation, while others simply walked away with new passions and friendships.
“It’s amazing to see them take ownership of their learning,” said one troop leader from Elk Grove. “You can actually see their confidence grow from the start of the day to the end.”
Community Support Behind Every Success
Behind the excitement was a strong network of community partners. The Aerospace Museum provided an inspiring environment—complete with real aircraft, NASA exhibits, and hands-on exploration zones—while local educators and volunteers made the activities come alive.
Events like these demonstrate how Sacramento continues to invest in youth development, particularly for girls who may not always see themselves represented in STEM.
The expo echoed a broader community effort to encourage inclusion, creativity, and opportunity for all young minds.
As one parent summed up: “It’s not just about science—it’s about showing our daughters that they belong in every room, whether it’s a lab, a boardroom, or a launch pad.”
Looking Ahead: Building the Next Generation of Innovators
The timing couldn’t be more relevant. Across the nation, women make up less than a third of the STEM workforce, and efforts like this are helping to change that narrative—one curious mind at a time.
As society continues to evolve with technology, the need for diverse voices in innovation becomes critical. By sparking curiosity at a young age, the Girl Scouts are doing more than teaching science—they’re shaping the future workforce, the inventors, and leaders of tomorrow.
Expect to see more initiatives like this across the Central Valley in the coming year, from mobile maker labs to regional STEM badge events and virtual coding camps.
Join the Movement
For Sacramento families, the Girl Scout Expo is more than a one-day experience—it’s an invitation to be part of something lasting. Parents, teachers, and volunteers are encouraged to get involved, attend local troop meetings, or sign up to help with future STEM-focused programs.
It’s easy to see why so many left the museum that day with inspired smiles. The event wasn’t just about rockets or robots—it was about possibility.
And as the sun dipped behind the planes outside the hangar, one young Scout summed it up perfectly:
“I didn’t just reach for the stars today—I think I actually touched one.”
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