Math In Nature Survey Results

 

I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my lengthy survey on the Math In Nature badges.  I wrote about these badges when they first came out and my troop did the Shapes In Nature badges for Brownies and Junior.  My posts will give you a good idea of what I think about the GSUSA plans.  

Daisy Create and Innovate

 If you look at the previous posts on this blog, you will see that this year GSUSA introduced three "Maker" badges for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors.  All these badges focus on planning and conceptual concepts, not on the skills to do particular crafts.  The third badge in this set is Create and Innovate and this post will look at the Daisy version of the badge.

Junior Craft and Tinker

 

This is the third in a series of posts on the Craft and Tinker Badges.  I previously wrote about the Daisy and Brownie plans.  I did this review by reading the VTK plans.  I do not have the badge brochure, and as I do not have Juniors, have no intention of buying it.  If you have it, I'd love it if you'd leave a comment about how it is different from VTK. 

Badge Steps

Learn how to make something with care, skill, and imagination and then improve it.

• Explore crafting and tinkering
• Tinker with a craft
• Learn about users
• Craft for form, fit, and function
• Tinker with your project

When you've earned this badge, you'll know how to craft and tinker to solve problems.

Review of New Badge: Brownie Craft and Tinker

 

In the fall of 2023, GSUSA came out with three new badges for Daises, Brownies and Juniors, all of which involved "making".  Craft and Tinker is one of those badges.  

Requirements

According to Badge Explorer, to earn this badge, girls

Discover how to be a problem solver by making or crafting solutions. Explore making

• Learn the basics
• Figure out the function
• Discover form and fit
• Tinker with your craft

When you've earned this badge, you'll know how to craft and tinker to solve a problem.

Opening Activity No. 1

The VTK plans have the girls making SWAPS as the opening activity at the first meeting.  The SWAP is supposed to remind the girl of Girl Scouts.  During the opening circle, girls show off their SWAPS and explain them.

Daisy Craft and Tinker: My Review

 During the fall of 2023, GSUSA released three new "maker" badges for Daisies, Brownies and Juniors.  This post will take a look at the Daisy Craft and Tinker Badge.

Requirements:

According to Badge Explorer, Daisies find out how how to make objects and then tinker to make them better.  They:

1. Learn the basics
2. Craft with purpose and
3. Tinker with your craft

When you've earned this badge, you'll know how to craft and tinker to make useful objects.

Opening Activity

As an opening activity for meeting 1, VTK recommends having a variety of craft supplies available and asking the girls to make anything they like from those supplies.  These creations can be discussed in opening circle.  

Art and Design Badges: My Reflections

I recently wrote about the Daisy, Brownie and Junior Art and Design Badges.   The main thing I've heard about them is that people are disappointed that they are taking the place of popular badges like Painting, Jeweler and Pottery.  I agree.  

Art and Design Junior Badge: My Review

 

This year's new badges include a series of Art and Design badges at the Daisy, Brownie and Junior levels. I have reviewed the Daisy badge and the Brownie badge already. This post will look at the Junior badge.  

Requirements

According to Badge Explorer, the requirements for the Junior badge are: 

Examine and explore different styles and elements of art and design.

1. Discover art and design around you
2. Make art about a subject
3. Experiment with the elements
4. Explore composition
5. Design an art display

When you've earned this badge, you'll know how to turn ideas into art and design projects