The Irish Girl Guides (IGG), in collaboration with Engineers Ireland, has unveiled the Engineers Ireland STEPS Ladybird Engineering Badge.

This new badge builds on the success of the Engineering Badges for Brownies (ages seven to 10) and Guides (ages 10-14), extending the opportunity to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities to girls aged five to seven.

With the Ladybird Engineering Badge, Irish Girl Guides and Engineers Ireland aim to inspire young girls to explore STEM and consider engineering careers.

The badge introduces fun, hands-on challenges that foster creativity, curiosity, and teamwork while building problem-solving abilities and an engineering mindset. By engaging in this initiative, girls are empowered to see themselves as future innovators in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Fullest potential

This partnership aligns seamlessly with IGG’s Journey Programme and mission to enable girls and young women to reach their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.

The initiative also supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5 Gender Equality, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, SDG 1 No Poverty, and SDG 4 Quality Education. It envisions a future where young girls can contribute to sustainable engineering practices that address global challenges.

Since the launch of the Engineering Badges in 2018, more than 3,500 Brownies and Guides have earned their badges, highlighting the success of this initiative. By introducing the badge to Ladybirds, IGG and Engineers Ireland aim to inspire girls from an early age, empowering them to believe in their abilities and pursue their ambitions, promising a bright future ahead.

Fascinating industry

“At the moment less than a quarter of both engineers and engineering students in Ireland are female. It is clear that more must be done to encourage girls and young women to take up roles in this fascinating industry, particularly if Ireland is to develop the kind of large and diverse engineering profession needed to meet tomorrow’s challenges," said Damien Owens, director general of Engineers Ireland.

"Through our collaboration with the Irish Girl Guides, a community-focused organisation with which we share many values, we are delighted to have the opportunity to promote engineering to young girls, opening up greater opportunities for their future.” 

“Our mission at IGG is to develop girls into global citizens," said Róisín Mills, programme and training commissioner. "Through our partnership with the Engineers Ireland STEPS programme, we have delivered high quality STEM education to our youth members, broadening both their knowledge and understanding of engineering, as well as their prospects in STEM fields.

"The Ladybird Engineering Badge is a great way for our youngest members, the Ladybirds, to be exposed to engineering topics in a fun and engaging way.”