Powering Dreams at the Girl Scout STEM Center in Northeast Ohio

Whispers of the forest meet the hum of innovation in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as a new chapter unfolds at Camp Ledgewood’s Daley Family Campus for STEM Innovation.  

The Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) recently opened the Vivian von Gruenigen, MD STEM Center of Excellence at the camp in Peninsula, inviting young visionaries to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  

The facility beautifully integrates the natural world with cutting-edge technology. Outside, a meadow with a honeybee exhibit buzzes with life, while an outdoor pavilion with bat houses and a rain garden offers a serene setting for learning.  

The FirstEnergy Foundation played a pivotal role in bringing the dream to life with a $500,000 grant to fund the building’s green roof. The state-of-the-art roof not only makes the building more energy efficient but also serves as an educational platform for wind and solar energy alternatives.  

 “The roof has innovative features, like the ability to catch rainwater, and enables young women to explore unique educational opportunities,” said Torrence Hinton, FirstEnergy’s Ohio President. “The FirstEnergy Foundation’s contribution to this project reflects the company’s commitment to supporting environmentally conscious projects to strengthen the communities we serve.”  

Watch a video about the impact the STEM Center will have in Northeast Ohio.  

The Center also boasts a podcast booth, an observatory, a weather station and a workshop space for prototyping and invention, where girls can bring digital creations to life. 

In the years ahead, community leaders and the Girl Scouts hope to help bridge the gender gap in STEM fields by fostering a passion for STEM and providing young girls pathways to in-demand careers.  

“The success of the STEM Center is a testament to the power of community collaboration. Local educators, community leaders and generous donors like the FirstEnergy Foundation have come together to create a space where girls can engage in STEM learning in a safe and comfortable environment,” said Sarah Wallace, Director of STEM Experiences for GSNEO. 

More than 19,000 girls across Northeast Ohio participate in Girl Scouts. Each member who attends a sleep-away camp this summer will get to experience the STEM Center. The Center will also offer more than 60 night and weekend programs to troops and members of the community, as well as school field trip opportunities for boys and girls.