Monday, May 15, 2023

Every Council's Own Girl Scout Fun Patch Program That Your Girl Scouts Can Earn from Anywhere: Science


Welcome back to my very weird series in which I am listing, week by week, topic by topic, every single Council's Own Girl Scout fun patch program that your Girl Scouts can earn from everywhere!

My Girl Scout troop enjoys earning Council's Own fun patches, as well as official badges and retired badges. I usually look for a fun patch that they can earn in addition to a badge whenever we're planning a big project or a trip, etc. This list is essentially just my own research written down for easy reference.

This week's category: Science! This includes fun patches on all kinds of scientific topics, as well as fun patches devoted to hands-on activities. There are plenty of environmental stewardship and women's health fun patches, and several fun patches that could build context or add depth to badgework.

It turns out that Girl Scouts REALLY love biology! I could have separated out Biology into its own category and still had a couple of lengthy lists. As it is, there are a LOT of Science fun patches here, so many that I doubt that even the most science-loving Girl Scout troop could ever earn them all.

For this list, I only included fun patch programs that fit the following criteria:

  1. Girl Scouts can earn this fun patch wherever they are. I did not include any fun patch programs that have site-specific criteria, unless I felt that those criteria would be easy to substitute and still maintain the point of the fun patch program. I also didn't include fun patch programs that require time-specific criteria that have already passed, such as patches programs designed for the 2020 COVID lockdowns. I noted in the description of each patch when substitutions would be required.
  2. Girl Scouts can obtain the council's requirements to earn this fun patch. I found several instances in which the council still sells a specific fun patch, but has deleted all the requirements from its website. If I couldn't find an easy link to those requirements from another site, I did not include the patch.
  3. Girl Scouts can obtain the physical fun patch. There were also several instances in which councils still host the requirements for a fun patch program, but no longer sell the patch (or, as in the case of a few GSAK patches, they have fewer than ten remaining). If it is unlikely for a Girl Scout to be able to obtain the fun patch, I did not include it. The link to purchase each fun patch is in the caption for its graphic.

SCIENCE


Albuquerque BioPark GSNMT

Albuquerque BioPark, Girl Scouts of New Mexico TrailsLearn about giraffes, their importance to their ecosystem, and how to conserve them. There are a couple of site-specific activities that you could substitute with a visit to a zoo or conservation park near you.

Amphibians and Reptiles GSNCCP

Amphibians and Reptiles, Girl Scouts of North Carolina Coastal PinesYounger Girl Scouts complete activities to learn about amphibians and reptiles. This pairs well with any of the Outdoor badges, since you can combine it with a nature walk, hike, or camping trip. A state park nature center should have exhibits or animal encounters to further support this fun patch program.

Animals in Winter GSAK

Animals in Winter, Girl Scouts of AlaskaLearn how animals survive the winter months.

Archaeology GSACPC

Archaeology, Girl Scouts of Arizona Cactus-Pines Council. Explore archaeology and the native peoples of your location. The guide book references Arizona locations, but it would be easy to substitute research and activities in your own state.


Baking Science GSAK

Baking Science, Girl Scouts of AlaskaExplore STEM topics through baking. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Cooking badges.

Bat's So Awesome GSWO

Bat's So Awesome, Girl Scouts of Western OhioComplete activities to learn more about bats.


Brain Health GSAK

Brain Health, Girl Scouts of AlaskaLearn about the brain while growing emotional resiliency. This fun patch program pairs well with the Junior Independence badge, the Senior Women's Health badge, and the Ambassador On My Own badge.


Butterflies GSSEF

Butterflies, Girl Scouts of Southeast FloridaLearn about butterflies, migration, and the butterfly life cycle. This fun patch program pairs well with the Brownie Bugs badge. 

Citizen Scientist GSOH

Citizen Scientist, Girl Scouts of Ohio's HeartlandComplete a Citizen Science project to earn this fun patch. This would pair well with any of the science-based badges or Journeys, or you could use it for a Girl Scout who participated in the Citizen Science part of a badge or Journey with the troop but didn't complete the rest of the requirements to earn that award.

Conservation Champions GSWCF

Conservation Champions, Girl Scouts of West Central FloridaComplete science activities to explore issues in conservation. This fun patch pairs well with any of the Eco badges. Some activities are Florida-specific, but the guide book is so meaty that it shouldn't be a problem choosing different activities. This is a great fun patch program for troops with a high interest in science, or to give Girl Scouts more context for future Citizen Science TAPs.

Crazy for Chemistry GSC

Crazy for Chemistry, Girl Scouts of CitrusExplore the field of chemistry through a variety of activities. 

Dairy Fun GSOSW

Dairy Fun, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest WashingtonVisit a dairy farm and learn about dairy production and nutrition. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Cooking badges.


Dark Skies GSCTX

Dark Skies, Girl Scouts of Central TexasLearn about the issue of light pollution and how it can be prevented. This fun patch pairs well with any of the Space Science badges. It would also be a good patch program to earn with a troop that's preparing to earn Journeys or Higher Awards and trying to understand the concept of a "problem that needs solving" or "underlying problem," etc.

Dolphins GSAK

Dolphins, Girl Scouts of AlaskaExplore simple activities to learn more about dolphins. This easy little patch program would be a good fit for a younger troop preparing for a field trip to an aquarium.

Endangered and Extinct Animals GSAK

Endangered and Extinct Animals, Girl Scouts of AlaskaComplete activities to learn more about extinct and endangered animals from all over the world.


Flipping for Dolphins GSDH

Flipping for Dolphins, Girl Scouts of Dakota HorizonsLearn more about dolphins and their biology.

Florida Manatee GSWCF

Florida Manatee, Girl Scouts of West Central FloridaLearn about manatees and how to protect them in the wild. This fun patch program pairs well with the Senior Voice for Animals badge and the Ambassador Water badge.


Fly Like an Eagle GSEIWI


Fungus Among Us GSAK

Fungus Among Us, Girl Scouts of AlaskaLearn about mushrooms and other fungi.

Generation Rx GSOH

Generation Rx, Girl Scouts of Ohio's HeartlandLearn how to safely handle and properly dispose of prescription medications. This fun patch program pairs well with the Junior Independence badge and Senior Women's Health badge, and could be the basis for a community service project.


Geology GSSS

Geology, Girl Scouts of Silver SageLearn about geology through hands-on activities.

Girls Go to Mars GSNorCal

Girls Go to Mars, Girl Scouts of Northern CaliforniaComplete a variety of space science activities created in collaboration with the SETI Institute. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Space Science badges.

Girl Scouts Love Sea Turtles GSSEF

Girl Scouts Love Sea Turtles, Girl Scouts of Southeast FloridaLearn about sea turtles and their importance to the ocean. This fun patch program pairs well with the Ambassador Eco Advocate badge. 


Habitat Detective GSC

Habitat Detective, Girl Scouts of CitrusLearn about habitats and what types of creatures live where. 

Hurricane Awareness GSTF

Hurricane Awareness, Girl Scouts of Tropical FloridaLearn about hurricane prediction and tracking, and emergency preparedness. Depending on how many activities your troop wants to do, you might have to sub out a couple of the activities that would require living in a hurricane-prone area, but most troops should be able to do most activities as-is. This would be a great fun patch program to complete during hurricane season, when your troop can track and log live hurricanes.

Koalas GSAK

Koalas, Girl Scouts of AlaskaComplete activities to learn more about koalas. This fun patch program pairs well with a field trip to a zoo where Girl Scouts can see koalas.

Leaping Lemurs GSAK

Leaping Lemurs, Girl Scouts of AlaskaLearn about lemurs through this fun patch program. This patch program would pair well with a field trip to the zoo.

Maine Lobster GSME

Maine Lobster, Girl Scouts of MaineLearn about the Maine lobster and how to conserve its habitat. You'll have to substitute for some site-specific activities, but I think this fun patch can still work as one that can be completed anywhere. It pairs well with the Senior Voice for Animals badge and Locavore badge. 



Monarch Propagator GSH

Monarch Propagator, Girl Scouts of HawaiiLearn entomology, environmental science, and sustainability while raising and releasing monarchs.

Monk Seal GSAK

Monk Seal, Girl Scouts of AlaskaComplete activities to learn about the monk seal. This fun patch program pairs well with a field trip to a place where Girl Scouts can see monk seals.

The Night Sky GSAK

The Night Sky, Girl Scouts of AlaskaLearn more about the Aurora Borealis and the locations where it can be seen. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Space Science badges and the Cadette Night Owl badge.

Paper Scientist GSME

Paper Scientist, Girl Scouts of MaineCovers activities on topics related to paper, from trees to paper manufacture to recycling. This would pair well with the Cadette Book Artist badge or with a fun field trip opportunity. If you don't have a paper manufacturing plant in driving distance, you probably DO have a recycling facility!

Penguin Patch GSAK

Penguin Patch, Girl Scouts of AlaskaComplete activities to learn about penguins. This fun patch program pairs well with a field trip to a place where Girl Scouts can see penguins.
Out of This World GSNCA

Out of This World, Girl Scouts of North Central AlabamaLearn about various space missions and the history of NASA. This would pair well with any of the Space Science badges. It would be especially fun to theme this fun patch program to a specific upcoming space launch or mission, so that you can follow it in real time!

Pollinators GSCTX

Pollinators, Girl Scouts of Central TexasComplete activities to learn about pollinators and their place in the ecosystem. This fun patch pairs well with the Brownie Bugs badge and any of the Eco badges. 
Quake Safe GSOC

Quake Safe, Girl Scouts of Orange CountyLearn the science of earthquakes, research historically-significant earthquakes, and learn disaster preparedness and first aid.


Rocks, Minerals, and Gemstones GSAK

Rocks, Minerals, and Gemstones, Girl Scouts of AlaskaExplore activities related to the science and identification of rocks, minerals, and gemstones.


Save a Bee GSCSA

Save a Bee, Girl Scouts of Southern AppalachiansLearn about bees and their role in the ecosystem. The requirements for this fun patch are few, so it's a good one to pair with a field trip to a honey farm, or to add onto one of the Eco badges.

Science GSNETX

Science, Girl Scouts of Northeast TexasTry science activities and learn about careers in science.

Sea Turtles GSNCCP

Sea Turtles, Girl Scouts of North Carolina Coastal PinesYounger Girl Scouts learn about sea turtles and why they need protection. This badge relies on games and meeting-based activities, so is quite doable even if you can't introduce your Girl Scout troop to a real, live sea turtle!


Sound Science GSAK

Sound Science, Girl Scouts of AlaskaComplete activities to experiment with sound.


Star Gazer GSNCA

Star Gazer, Girl Scouts of North Central AlabamaExplore activities related to astronomy. This pairs well with any of the Space Science badges at any level. 


Summer Solstice GSAK

Summer Solstice, Girl Scouts of AlaskaComplete activities to learn about and celebrate the Summer Solstice. This would make a good troop meeting on or around the Summer Solstice, or Girl Scouts could earn it independently over the summer.

Sustainability GSCTX

Sustainability, Girl Scouts of Central TexasTry out different types of environmental science activities to earn this patch. Most of the activities are fairly quick and/or easy, so this fun patch program could make a good single-meeting plan to build context within one of the science-themed badges.

Think Pink GSNCCP

Think Pink, Girl Scouts of North Carolina Coastal PinesLearn about breast health, breast cancer, and women's health advocacy. This fun patch program pairs well with the Senior Women's Health badge, or for activities related to Juliette Low, who died of breast cancer. 


Ultimate Ungulates GSAK

Ultimate Ungulates, Girl Scouts of AlaskaLearn more about the ungulates category of animals. This fun patch program pairs well with the Junior Horseback Riding badge or a field trip to see ungulates. 

GSSJC Urban Forestry

Urban Forestry, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto CountyExplore forestry, tree science, and land management. This fun patch program pairs well with the Cadette Trees badge and any of the Eco badges. 


What's the Buzz About Bees GSSN

What's the Buzz about Bees, Girl Scouts of the Sierra NevadaComplete this patch program to learn about bees and their place in the ecosystem.


Wild Horses and Burros GSSN

Wild Horses and Burros, Girl Scouts of the Sierra NevadaLearn about feral horses and burros, their history, and their role in the ecosystem.

Wonder Why with Water GSLE

Wonder Why with Water, Girl Scouts of Louisiana EastPractice conservation while learning about water.


Here's a look at my complete fun patch series:

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Culture, Diversity, and Equity
  • Games and Sports
  • Geography/History
  • Outdoors
  • Practical Life Skills
  • Reading and Writing
  • Science
  • Service Learning
  • Social-Emotional Skills
  • Technology, Engineering, and Math
Follow my Craft Knife Facebook page for more Girl Scout resources as I exhaustively compile them!

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