December 10, 2019

​Today’s Girl Scouts do much more than just sell cookies – these young ladies also are preparing for brighter futures and exciting careers. FirstEnergy and the FirstEnergy Foundation are playing major roles in providing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)-related programs for the girls.

This fall, the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) launched the FirstEnergy Patch Program for junior- and cadette-level girl scouts in 18 northeast Ohio counties. The program consists of a two- to four-hour workshop, where attendees participate in hands-on experiments such as making electric circuits, harnessing the wind for energy and using the sun to generate power. The girls also learn about energy terminology, electric safety, energy conservation and STEM careers, in addition to using safety equipment and seeing a bucket truck in action. Upon conclusion of the “girl power” program, the scouts earn a FirstEnergy Patch.

Jay Foringer, director, Operations Support, The Illuminating Company, and Amanda Richardson, manager, Engineering Services, Ohio Edison, co-developed a troop-level curriculum on how power is created for third, fourth and fifth-grade girls. Long-time volunteers, Amanda and Jay work closely with GSNEO by mentoring and engaging young girls on STEM-related activities.

The FirstEnergy Foundation provided a $50,000 grant for the program – which is expected to involve 4,000 girl scouts over the next year. The program also provides a great opportunity for FirstEnergy’s high-performing female employees to engage with the young girls on their career options.

“What a great opportunity to begin building a pipeline of talent in STEM, as women continue to hold less than 28% of all STEM-related careers in the United States,” said Lorna Wisham, vice president, Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement. “These young leaders are learning about the different aspects of our business and could drive future innovation. This initiative is a win-win for the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio and for FirstEnergy.”

Our Ohio Edison and FirstEnergy Service Company volunteers pose for a photo during one of the workshops. L.-r.: Marie Ralston, Natalie Camp, Sharon Lewis, Cindy James-Ross, Amanda Richardson; Brian Donahue, Michelle Schmidt, Steve Bell, Amanda McIntosh, Mary Philips, Brinton McIntosh and Lee Crano. Not in picture is Jessica Scharrer.