Girl Guide Leaders take on the 'I am a physicist' challenge

Training events hosted by physicists and astronomers empower Girl Guide leaders to inspire young girls in STEM through hands-on challenges and activities.

In an inspiring collaboration, Girl Guiding leaders are being equipped to bring the wonders of physics to young girls. Through two interactive training events, local Girl Guide Leaders learned how to deliver the exciting challenges and activities that form the ‘I am a Physicist’ badge.

‘I am a physicist’ Girlguiding badge

The ‘I am a physicist’ Girlguiding badge introduces girls to the world of physics in a fun and educational way. The badge is open to all Girlguiding sections and includes activities for the youngest 5 year old Rainbow to the oldest Ranger at age 18.

The challenges

In order to complete the ‘I am a physicist’ Girlguiding badge, girls have to undertake four challenges:

• Experience: engage in simple and fun activities that introduce basic ideas and build confidence in conducting experiments.
• Create: apply these ideas by making or building something practical and imaginative.
• Investigate: undertake experiments to explore the question ‘What happens if…?’
• Meet, visit, community: meet a physicist or visit a museum or science centre where they can see physics in action.

Training events for Girl Guide Leaders

In November 2024 and February 2025, 30 Girl Guide leaders attended workshops hosted by the School of Physics and Astronomy. Led by Dr David Fairhurst, with support from PhD students and staff from the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, these sessions provided leaders with hands-on experience of the badge activities, as well as resources and guidance on delivering them to their local groups.

Each leader left the workshop with a specially curated ‘goodie bag’ from the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, containing fun tools to inspire their girls. The training not only boosted the leaders’ confidence but also equipped them with practical resources to make physics engaging and accessible.

The training sessions received glowing reviews from attendees. One leader shared her enthusiasm:

That was such a fab afternoon, loads of fun and learning.  Great pizza and I can't believe the goodie bag. Would recommend to anyone if they do another. Thank you to all who organised.

Broader Impact

The ‘I am a Physicist’ badge was created by the East Midlands branch of the Institute of Physics (IOP) and has already reached over 50,000 participants across the UK and internationally. By fostering curiosity and confidence in physics, the initiative encourages young girls to envision themselves as scientists, engineers, and innovators of the future.

Thanks to the following who made the sessions possible:

• Sue Midgely, Girl Guiding Edinburgh, who provided some funding
• Deborah Phelps, Rolls Royce, Derby, Girl Guiding Nottinghamshire, and former Institute of Physics East Midlands
• Fiona Travers and Abi Ashton, Royal Observatory Edinburgh who provided goodie bag material
• Sammi Bowers, Institute of Physics Scotland, who provided some funding
• Eugénia Delacou, Larissa Palethorpe, Mariam Arif, PhDs student at the School of Physics and Astronomy.