girl scouts

The number of women in tech is a huge downer: just 14 percent of executive positions in tech companies are held by women, and only three percent of tech start-ups are founded by women. Frankly put, men outnumber women by a huge margin in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, but several female-powered programs are looking to change the ratio and lure more ladies into coding and programming.

Increasing the much-needed presence of women in tech starts with nurturing the next generation, and the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles are on it. In partnership with Women in Games International, the Girl Scouts are introducing a new video game designer patch requiring members to program games (unlike the Boy Scout version, which can be earned by just designing).

While the Girl Scouts' video game designer patch is not nationally recognized yet, Women in Games International's CEO Sheri Rubin told NBC that the organization is working to prove the patch is effective for fourth through sixth graders, before expanding to grades seven through 12 across the US.

If you're beyond your scouting years, don't give up just yet. All-female, career-changing coding camps are cropping up all around the country. Join your sisters in software and learn to code at one of these girl-powered programming courses.

Boy Scouts across America can now sew a new kind of patch onto their sashes: a Game Design merit badge. The Boy Scouts of America are holding a three-day event at next week's SXSW Gaming Expo to unveil the new skill challenge and put amateur gamers and game designers to the test.

What does a scout need to earn this geeky honor? He must take a game from concept to production, using logic, strategy, and mathematics skills to design, test, and build the game, just like a professional game developer. Before the badge is bestowed upon him, the Boy Scout must present the final product, which can be in the form of cards, boards, dice, or, for the techiest scouts, a smartphone app.

And in addition to the game, he is required to prove knowledge and understanding of the industry with analysis of different types of games, themes, play value, and even intellectual property. All of these prerequisites are quite the tall order for a young scout! But we're digging the Boy Scouts' integration of science, tech, engineering, and math skills into the program.

Now don't worry, Boy Scouts aren't the only ones who get to have STEM-filled fun; our girl geeks in training have 21st-century-ready badges, too, including Computer Expert for Brownies and Game Visionary for Senior Girl Scouts.

Apparently, today is National Girl Scout Cookie Day, and I figure there's no time like the present to get something off my chest. I don't like Girl Scout cookies. There, I said it! They're just processed packaged cookies, and I've never really seen the appeal. That being said, if I had to pick a favorite, I would go with Thin Mints. I've always wanted to try making them from scratch. How about you? What's your preferred Girl Scout cookie? Samoas? Tagalongs? Do-Si-Dos?

Source: Flickr User amylovesyah

With declining sales, counterfeit currency issues, and a slew of knockoffs, Girl Scout cookies have taken a hit in recent years. So in hopes of cutting costs and generating more revenue, an increasing number of Girl Scout councils across the country are trimming their offerings.

The top five cookie varieties compose 77 percent of Girl Scout cookie sales; the test program, known as the Super Six pilot, will take advantage of that, with a pared-down lineup of peanut butter Do-Si-Dos, shortbread Trefoils, caramel coconut Samoas, citrusy Lemon Chalet Cremes, patty-like Tagalongs, and, of course, Thin Mints. What it won't include? Dulce de Leche, Thank U Berry Munch, All Abouts, or the Thanks-A-Lot fudge-dipped shortbread cookie, a new goodie proffered by licensed supplier ABC Bakers. Councils partaking in the trial hope the move will streamline sales, speed up delivery, and ultimately increase profits.

Also, for the first time ever, individual scouts will also be allowed to advertise online. I'm betting a box of Thin Mints that the new program will do well. After all, who buys those other novelty flavors? Do you agree, or are you bummed that there'll be less to choose from?

Source: Flickr User Stephen Cummings