Girl Scouts Experience ‘College for a Day’ at Lone Star College, Earning STEM Badges and Exploring Tech Careers
A Saturday morning at Lone Star College-Westway Park Technology Center looked a little different than usual. Instead of the typical college crowd, the halls buzzed with the energy of nearly 90 Girl Scouts from the San Jacinto Council—grades 6 through 12—taking over classrooms for a unique “College for a Day” experience. Their mission: to explore the world of technology and earn badges in Coding for Good and Digital Leadership.
Now in its third year, this special event brought together students, faculty, and volunteers to spark a deeper interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among young girls—many of whom are just beginning to imagine what their futures might hold.
Dr. Shaunté Hulett-Abdin, Interim Vice President of Instruction at LSC-CyFair and a longtime Region 4 Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC) volunteer, said the day represents more than just hands-on learning.
“Events like this introduce girls to the careers and skills in STEM they might not otherwise have an opportunity to connect with,” she shared. “Ultimately, we would like to see them consider Lone Star College as their college of choice when making the determination to pursue a career in technology.”
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For the Girl Scouts, the experience was rooted in the core values of exploration, leadership, and self-discovery. Known nationwide for fostering leadership, confidence, and a commitment to community service, Girl Scouts provides a space for girls to try new things, take on challenges, and build lifelong friendships—all while learning skills that will carry them into adulthood. From Daisies to Ambassadors, Girl Scouts progress through grade levels with access to thousands of unique activities, including opportunities to earn badges in everything from outdoor adventure to robotics and civic engagement.
The "College for a Day" tech camp exemplified this spirit of curiosity and growth. Led by Lone Star College faculty—including Chelsea Branch, Heather Cannon, Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Carl DePasquale, Gongxiao Wang, and Karoline Whorton—the scouts dove headfirst into coding fundamentals, game design, and data analysis.
In Dr. Cooper’s session, scouts used web-based software to create playable games with avatars and interactive features. Meanwhile, in Cannon’s programming workshop, they used Scratch to collect user data and import it into Excel for real-time analysis. “One of the highlights was when all the computers were making different sounds at the same time as the scouts learned to incorporate sound files into their programs,” Cannon recalled.
Branch’s digital leadership session explored how technology can be used for advocacy, safety, and social impact. Scouts were introduced to terminology like digital footprint, digital communities, bias, and responsible engagement. The session encouraged participants to start thinking about how they can use their online presence to make a difference and become thoughtful digital citizens.
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The learning didn’t stop when the sessions ended, either. “My daughter had so much fun, she's at home working on coding another project and teaching her little brother,” one parent shared with Dr. Hulett-Abdin.
That ripple effect—one afternoon sparking an interest that continues at home—is exactly what this partnership aims to create. “We are excited to know that Lone Star College has played a role in increasing the number of girls committing to computer science,” said Dr. Hulett-Abdin. “We can’t wait until next year when the girls will learn about robotics and careers in STEM.”
Behind the scenes, the success of the event was made possible by not only faculty, but also LSC-CyFair computer science and Honors College students, who volunteered their time to support the program and serve as role models for the younger girls.
For these Girl Scouts, it wasn’t just a day on campus—it was a glimpse into a future they’re beginning to see themselves in. Through programs like these, and through the support of mentors, peers, and community partners, Girl Scouts continue to lead the way—discovering their strengths, dreaming big, and turning curiosity into courage.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for more local stories about youth education and community partnerships in Cypress and beyond.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
