Girl Scouts’ NCIS and MedSim Experience
On Saturday, February 1, Girl Scouts put their detective skills to work at a program hosted by NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service in Norfolk. NCIS is the primary investigative law enforcement agency of the U.S. Department of the Navy. They have a broad mandate including national security, counterintelligence, counter terrorism and cyberwarfare.
The Girl Scouts in attendance learned some self-defense moves, how to lift fingerprints, how to take imprints from shoe casings, and had the chance to take a lie detector test. During lunch, Girl Scouts got to speak with several agents who discussed their careers and the importance of women succeeding in male-dominated fields.
Then, on February 22, Girl Scouts got to find out what it’s like to be a med student as they tried activities at different stations with the staff from the Macon & Joan Brock Sentara Center for Healthcare Simulation & Immersive Learning at Old Dominion University. Activities included Stop the Bleed techniques, patient-centered communication methods, and even applying some Girl Scout knot-tying skills to surgical knot tying! Participants also had the opportunity to speak with experts in the field.
These kinds of immersive programs help Girl Scouts develop the skills and confidence to succeed in STEM fields, and offer the opportunity to meet successful female STEM professionals which helps them to visualize themselves in similar careers.
Find more STEM activities coming up and plan your next day of discovery at gsccc.org/events.
