23-05-2025
Beaverton teen receives highest Girl Scouts honor for STEM work
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A high school student in Beaverton is receiving the Gold Award — the highest honor for Girl Scouts. Her award-winning project was focused on how she could get more girls involved in STEM.
Isha Garg, a junior at Jesuit High School, was introduced to the world of STEM in elementary school, joining a prestigious club in fifth grade.
'It really opened my eyes,' she said.
Joining the club ignited a passion, and Garg wanted to share that passion with the community.
Garg currently is running a STEM club for girls in second through fifth grade in the Bethany community.
'I first didn't provide them with the book,' she said. 'Because I wanted them to experience hands-on activity.'
The Girl Scouts helped get the project off the ground — Garg has been an active member of the organization since first grade.
'Girl Scouts supported me fully. They gave me all the resources to succeed,' she said.
According to a report by the US Census Bureau in 2023, women account for only 26% of workers in STEM fields. Garg believes that can be changed by introducing girls to science earlier.
At her club, young girls get to hone their skills in coding, chemistry, biology and forensics.
While she appreciates the award, she says the real award is in the work itself.
'I really wanted to help girls as early as second grade…so they could have more opportunities, they could find something they love, and they could continue doing that in middle school through high school,' she said.
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