Eastern Missouri Gold Award Girl Scout Helps Urban Students Discover the World of Agriculture
Farmworker Appreciation Day is celebrated annually on Aug. 6 to recognize the hard work and dedication of agricultural workers. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of farmworkers and thank them for their efforts to ensure people across the globe have access to healthy food. Scarlett Gonz, a 2024 graduate of St. Genevieve High School, wanted to provide much-needed opportunities for elementary school students in urban areas to learn more about agriculture and discover future agricultural careers.
To earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, Gonz created three lesson units for first grade elementary school teachers to use with their students, helping them uncover more on the world of agriculture. Gonz presented the units to students at Nance Elementary School. During her lessons, she covered topics such as different types of farms, agriculture vocabulary and various livestock found on farms. She made her project accessible on a website she created, complete with slides and lesson plans for teachers to follow. Gonz reached 100 students with her Gold Award Project.
“Throughout the Gold Award process, I learned a great deal about agriculture in Missouri, including the various types of food produced, livestock, and the entire process of getting food from farms to our tables,” said Gonz. “This project deepened my understanding of the agricultural industry, its challenges, and its vital role in our lives. Additionally, I developed skills in research, project planning, and community engagement, which were crucial for successfully developing and implementing my lesson unit for elementary students.”
The Girl Scout Gold Award – the highest award in Girl Scouts – is earned by Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors, girls in 9th-12th grade, who dedicate more than 80 hours identifying a need in their community and providing lasting solutions to issues in their neighborhoods and beyond. Gold Award Girl Scouts truly are the world changers, role models, and real-life heroes we all look up to.
Gonz, along with 25 other Gold Award Girl Scouts, were recognized during a special ceremony on June 23, 2024.
