Olivia Martin ’16 was recently awarded the Gold Award from Girls Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM). The Gold Award represents the highest honor bestowed by Girl Scouts of the USA, earned by Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts. Only 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts successfully earn the Gold Award.
This prestigious award challenges individuals to change the world. Olivia’s Gold Award Project was “What’s the Buzz…..BEE Attitudes,” an environmental science project that explores the important role bees and bee habitats play in our community; while exposing underrepresented minorities to STEAM careers and addressing socio-economic issues that disproportionately impact urban youth.
The What’s the Buzz Gold Award Project supports the efforts of four organizations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter Educational Development Program (SLMAC) and St. Louis County MU Extension Delta 4-H Club, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), St. Louis PCI Chapter and SisterKeeper, community based organizations that service youth across the St. Louis, Metropolitan Area.
Through a series of workshops, guest speakers and interactive demonstrations, the What’s the Buzz Project provided information to program participants during monthly meetings and area youth during the: 2014 SLMAC College and STEAM Careers Panel, 2014 NSBE Walk for Education, 2015 St. Louis Science Center Minority Scientists Showcase, 2015 National Engineers Week Expo and the 2015 Fair St. Louis STEAM Expo, increasing awareness of local and national medical research, conservation efforts, industrial impact, educational pathways and STEAM careers that involve bees and bee habitats.
In June 2015, the What’s the Buzz Community Garden was established at Florissant Valley Community College to support Ferguson youth and NSBE participants, instilling the importance of collective work and community while promoting agricultural, environmental, plant and biological engineering/science.
Olivia plans to pursue studies in biomedical engineering in college. She will be honored at the Girl Scouts Reflection Ceremony in June 2016.
For more information, visit Olivia’s blog: https://beesandsunflowers.wordpress.com/