Take part in hands-on activities and learn about a variety of STEM jobs and skills.
A group of graduates have designed the “Science and Engineering Careers Challenge” for Scouts and Girl Guides, inspired by their own job roles at STFC’s RAL Space facility in Oxfordshire. The challenge will help young people find out about the kinds of jobs in science and engineering and get excited about where studying STEM subjects could lead them.
Please be aware this is a legacy girlguiding and scouting challenge and has been replaced by our new STEM Careers Challenge badge.
What is the challenge?
The challenge is to complete six activities – each one involves tasks and skills that are also used in a particular job role. The challenge pack linked below includes resources, lists of any materials required and instructions for all the activities, which can be done at home with adult supervision or as part of regular unit meetings. There is specific guidance for leaders to run the activities online. The pack also has background information about the careers and opportunities for young people. By taking part in this challenge, young people can start to develop some of the skills they would need for a future career in science or engineering, including creativity and using imagination, and learn that anyone can be a scientist or engineer.
Challenge participants are encouraged to read the case studies from people working at STFC (linked below) to find out how and why scientists and engineers chose to do these jobs, the top skills they use and what they do in a typical day.
Who is it for?
All age groups in Girlguiding and Scouts can complete the challenge. There is a table at the start of the challenge pack that lists which activities are suitable for each age group, and other related activity badges. The recommended age groups and adaptations are for guidance; leaders are encouraged to choose activities they think will best suit their groups.
How do I order a badge and how much do they cost?
As this is a legacy challenge, we no longer issue badges. Please refer to our new STEM Careers Challenge badge for our most recent challenge and badge order form.
You can still take part in this challenge and issue a certificate achievement (linked below) to your group members.