Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass. and Suffolk, launches STEM-based “Daisies Who Build” curriculum and patch program

Waltham, MA Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA) revealed its newest STEM curriculum in partnership with Suffolk. “Daisies Who Build” will introduce Girl Scouts in kindergarten and first grade to construction careers while teaching them the fundamentals of building processes through hands-on experiential learning. The program serves as an expansion of existing beloved curricula, “Juniors Who Build,” “Brownies Who Build,” and “Cadettes Who Build.”

To kick off the “Daisies Who Build” curriculum with GSEMA, Suffolk hosted an event at its Boston headquarters, welcoming a group of 65 Girl Scouts from throughout the region. The group received a tour of the national contractor’s headquarters, engaged in a hands-on STEM building activity alongside some of Suffolk’s leaders, and was presented with patches and certificates for completing the program.

The accelerating pace of technological advancements and AI’s impact underscore the growing importance of strong foundations in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). These skills are essential for the next generation, and cultivating them is important to both leading organizations like Girl Scouts, because it teaches real life skills while building curiosity and confidence, as well as to tech-forward companies like Suffolk, as it redefines how America builds by leveraging artificial intelligence and innovation. A recent UNESCO report analyzing trends on women in science-related fields noted that closing the gender gap requires sustained, collective commitment and specifically highlighted the significance of educational programs for young girls and creating workplaces that attract, retain, and advance women in STEM.

Building on the type of sustained, collective commitment the UNESCO report emphasized, GSEMA and Suffolk have expanded the reach of their programs over the past five years from Girl Scout Brownies (grades 2-3) and Juniors (grades 4-5) to Cadettes (grades 6-8) and now Daisies (grades K-1), providing opportunities to engage with Suffolk’s women leaders as mentors for formative exposure to different pathways. This evolution creates meaningful connections at a crucial age for early exploration into possible careers and seeks to inspire the next generation to pursue construction and engineering with an eye towards addressing the industry’s gender gap.

The “Daisies Who Build” curriculum takes Girl Scouts through a three-step process of constructing a building, with options to choose an activity for each step. Upon completion of the program, Girl Scouts will gain knowledge of building design, tool safety, and an introduction to skilled trades career pathways.

“Expanding the ‘Girl Scouts Who Build’ series to include our youngest Girl Scouts is an exciting step in giving every girl early access to STEM and construction careers,” said Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts CEO Monica Roberts. “Through hands-on experiences, mentorship from women leaders, and fun, skill-building activities, we help girls see that these fields are not only accessible but full of opportunity. Our mission is to empower girls to explore their interests, develop confidence, and imagine themselves as future innovators, builders, and leaders in industries where women have historically been underrepresented.”

“Suffolk’s long-standing partnership with Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts reflects our commitment to introducing young women and girls to STEM-related career pathways, like those in construction,” said Pat Lucey, President, Northeast and National Centers of Excellence at Suffolk. “For many of these Girl Scouts, it may be their first introduction to this industry and what it takes to build. We hope this early learning experience sparks a powerful sense of possibility as we work to cultivate future builders, engineers, architects, and innovative leaders in whatever path they pursue.”