BBCO Designs Girl Scouts STEM Campus
Embarking on a transformative journey to shape the future of STEM education for thousands of girls, BBCO is proudly joining forces with the Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland (GSOH) to design an innovative STEM campus in Columbus, Ohio.
Among many highlights, the 220-acre campus will boast state-of-the-art science and technology labs, community spaces and a maker space where girls can practice trade skills like welding and carpentry.
GSOH recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction, where BBCO Co-Founder and CEO Bhakti Bania broke ground with other leaders.
“We are so proud to be part of such an innovative and impactful project,” Bania said. “This organization dreams so big—and then acts on those dreams. We love doing this empowering work alongside them.”
The project is an integral part of the Girl Scouts' visionary Dream Big Initiative, aimed at nurturing girls' potential in STEM fields, fostering their innate curiosity and cultivating the next generation of innovators. Envisioned in May 2022, Dream Big encompasses an array of elements, including:
A cutting-edge STEM Leadership Center, designed by BBCO, which boasts state-of-the-art science and technology labs and community spaces.
A dynamic Maker Space, meticulously crafted to empower girls with hands-on trade skills such as welding, mechanics, and carpentry.
A state-of-the-art greenhouse, specially curated to facilitate engaging gardening programs, including hydroponics.
A revitalized Environmental Center, featuring the addition of a teaching kitchen to facilitate farm-to-table programming.
Inspiring outdoor learning spaces that foster an immersive and interactive educational experience.
The immersive campus will extend its impact beyond the Girl Scouts community, serving as a valuable resource for youth and community stakeholders across Ohio. With its doors open to schools, non-profit organizations and community partners, the STEM Leadership Center & Maker Space, designed by BBCO, will truly become a beacon of opportunity and innovation.
Construction started in May of 2023 and should finish in May of 2024.
Girl Scouts of the USA has an ambitious goal of putting 2.5 million girls into the STEM pipeline by 2025, so this project aligns with that goal.
“In a world where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are critical to so many fields of study and careers, it’s essential that we bridge the STEM gap by providing girls with a safe place to learn and gain new skills,” said Tammy Wharton, president & chief executive officer, GSOH.“With the support of partners like BBCO, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland is Dreaming Big for girls’ futures.”
To learn more about the Dream Big initiative and how you can contribute to this empowering movement, please visit gsoh.org/dreambig.