NASA heliophysics event sees 165 Girl Scouts earn space science badges in Maryland
Led by NASA heliophysicist Nicholeen Viall, the weekend-long program allowed participants to study the Sun and space weather, with older scouts taking on mentoring roles.
From 1 to 3 May 2026, NASA staff and volunteers hosted a heliophysics education event at Camp Conowingo in Maryland for Girl Scouts. Led by NASA heliophysicist Nicholeen Viall and supported by the Heliophysics Education Activation Team (HEAT) and the PUNCH mission outreach program, the weekend included hands-on science activities across seven stations. One hundred and sixty-five participants earned the Space Science badge and the Ancient and Modern Sun-Watching patch. High school senior Girl Scouts also led several stations, gaining mentoring experience. The event focused on space weather, the Sun, and careers in science, with additional lessons provided to three other troops due to high demand.
The event took place at Camp Conowingo, a Girl Scouts of Central Maryland property on the Susquehanna River north of Baltimore. Participants were divided into eight groups named after constellations: Ursa Major, Leo, Orion, Cassiopeia, Pegasus, Cygnus, Lyra, and Canis Major. Daytime activities occurred on Saturday, 2 May, with groups spending approximately 45 minutes per station. Evening activities on Friday and Saturday included star and Moon gazing, during which participants located Jupiter.
Station 3 featured Sunspotter telescopes provided by HEAT, with assistance from team member Carolyn Ng. HEAT team member Laura-Ashley Alegbeleye was onsite leading activities, particularly at Station 1. Viall noted that the Space Science Career station leveraged HEAT educational materials and activities designed for the Ancient and Modern Sun-Watching patch by the PUNCH team. She emphasised that a NASA mission requires diverse skill sets, including financial analysts, communications personnel, writers, and artists, alongside scientists and engineers.
Approximately half of the skits performed at the Saturday campfire were themed around space, the Sun, astronauts, or Mars exploration. The Ancient and Modern Sun-Watching patch leverages PUNCH Public Outreach products; a prototype event was previously convened by Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas in 2024. High school senior Girl Scouts led five of the seven activity stations, providing mentoring to younger participants after Viall met with them a month in advance to prepare materials and teaching strategies.
Due to high demand exceeding the campground’s capacity, Viall conducted additional lessons for three other troops at their local meetings. The Girl Scouts of the USA have offered the Space Science badge series for kindergarten through twelfth grade students since 2019. Viall, the PUNCH Mission Scientist, stated that the event helped activate a love for science in a new generation of learners.
