Junior
Girl Scouts

Junior Program

Junior Scouts can participate in two hands-on badge programs — Automotive Engineering or Mechanical Engineering — led by NASCAR Hall of Fame educators.

This 60-minute session encourages creativity, teamwork, and discovery through NASCAR-themed STEM activities that meet official Girl Scout badge requirements. Programs are available virtually or in person.

Program Option 1: Automotive Engineering

Badges Earned: Automotive Design · Automotive Engineering · Automotive Manufacturing

Junior Scouts discover how cars are designed, engineered, and manufactured and learn how street cars and race cars differ yet share similar parts and functions.

What Scouts Do

• Automotive Design: Learn why vehicles have different designs and purposes; create your own car design and shape a 3-D model from clay.
• Automotive Manufacturing: Discover the role of engineers in building and testing cars and learn about assembly lines and the need for preparation before manufacturing.
• Automotive Engineering: Build and test a small race car and take part in a distance challenge to see which design travels the farthest.
• The Science Behind the Car: Test your science knowledge of forces in motion (1st–5th grade) by naming that force. Explore energy with a micro experiment that changes common household ingredients from solids and liquids to gas.

Program Option 2: Mechanical Engineering

Badges Earned: Balloon Car Design Challenge · Crane Design Challenge

In one 60-minute workshop, Juniors explore forces, motion, and simple machines through NASCAR-inspired engineering challenges. Scouts build and test balloon-powered cars and create crane/tow-truck style mechanisms that apply load, balance, and leverage.

What Scouts Do

• Build a balloon-powered car and test how force, friction, and air impact speed and distance.
• Design and evaluate a simple crane mechanism to lift or move a load safely and efficiently.
• Connect engineering concepts to racetrack problem-solving and everyday technology.

Additional Information

Program Kits: Essential materials are shipped to the scout leader about two weeks before the event (additional shipping fees may apply).

Troop Supplies: Tape, scissors, crayons/markers/colored pencils.

Technology (for virtual sessions): Zoom access, strong internet connection, large screen or projector, external microphone and speakers.

Booking: Reserve at least six weeks in advance to allow for shipping and scheduling.

Badges: Leaders order badges through their local Council or Girl Scout Shop (badge cost not included).

Looking for other badge program options? Browse all Girl Scout badge programs.