World Thinking Day Patch for K-6th Grade

Did you know...?

• Girls are two times as likely to be illiterate (unable to read) as boys.
• 7 out of 10 people living in poverty in the world are women and girls.
• Only 2% of the world’s land is owned by women.
• Women do two-thirds of the work in the world, but earn only 10% of the income.

Suggested Activities for Girl Scout Daisies

Girls complete one or more activity to receive the award.

The theme for World Thinking Day 2012 is girls worldwide say "we can save our planet."This theme is based on United Nation's Millennium Development Goal 7 focused on environmental sustainability.

• Look around the room you are in and try to find all the things that came from nature. For example, a wooden table was made from a tree or the glass window came from sand. With your Daisy friends, make a collage showing the links between the objects in the room and the natural world from where they came.
   
• Pick a country that you would like to visit some day.  With an adult’s help, learn about the county’s national tree, flower, bird and animal.  Then try to find some pictures showing nature in that country and ways people are working to protect their natural environment.
   
• Learn about an endangered species in your area.  Where does it live? What does it eat? What animals eat it? What are its habits? Why is it threatened with extinction? What can we do to help? Draw a picture or present a skit about what the environment would be like if that species goes extinct.
   
• Think of different ways to save water at your house and school. Draw a picture of them or make a list to display at your school, home or Girl Scout meeting place.
   
• Make creative “Switch-me-off” reminder notes and stick them on the light switches, electric appliances and water taps in your house, school or Girl Scout meeting place.
   
• Take a nature walk with you Daisy friends, and try to remember all the things you see on the walk.  What are their shapes, sizes, colors and textures (how do they feel?) Afterwards, share with your friends what you saw. If you would like to do more things like this, take the Between Earth and Skyleadershipjourney.
   
• Take action by joining with other girls in Girl Scout Forever Green Community Take Action Projectand take the Girl Scouts Forever Green Pledge.

Suggested Activities for Girl Scout Brownies

Girls complete one or more activity to receive the award.

• Take a hike! Or a walk in a forest or park. Take along a camera or sketch pad and colored pencils. When done, choose five things you enjoyed such as the scent of plants or flowers, the sight of wildlife, or the feeling of clean air. Share your experience with your group.
   
• Make World Thinking Day cards (or other greeting, birthday or holiday cards) with reused materials and send them to your family members or friends explaining the importance of recycling and protecting the environment.
   
• Invite a returned Returned Peace Corps Volunteer to speak to your group about how the natural environment impacts people’s lives in the country where she/he served and compare her/his experiences with your own community. (See Peace Corps Speakers Tips Sheet).
   
• Think of all the things you know that use electricity. Make a list with your Brownie friends. Then go home and spend an hour without electricity—no TV, no lights, or other plug-ins. How did it feel? What did you miss most? Make a picture of what it was like and share with other Girl Scouts.
   
• Interview a grandparent or an elderly friend to find out what it was like when they were children. What type of home did they live in? Did they have television, electricity, running water in their home? What did they do for entertainment? How is your life different? How is your use of energy different?  Draw the things which are different and the things which are the same.
   
• Find out if your tap water is safe to drink. Then find out how much energy goes into the plastic needed to make water bottles.  Encourage your friends and family to carry recyclable water bottles with them at all times. If you would like to do more things like this, take the Wonders of Watersleadership journey.
   
• Take action by joining with other girls in Girl Scout Forever Green Community Take Action Projectand take the Girl Scouts Forever Green Pledge.

Suggested Activities for Girl Scout Juniors

Girls complete one or more activity to receive the award.

• Find out how much time it takes some common garbage items (paper napkins, eggshells, and plastic bags, sponges) to decompose in a landfill. Share this information with your parents, teachers and friends.
   
• Plan a trip to the local market or store to learn about local and imported products and textiles made from local natural fibers.
   
• Invite a returned Returned Peace Corps Volunteer to speak to your group about how the natural environment impacts people’s lives in the country where she/he served and compare her/his experiences with your own community. (See Peace Corps Speakers Tips Sheet).
   
• Learn about renewable energy and start and education campaign for wider uses of renewable energy sources in your community.
   
• Choose a country and learn as much as possible about the food and eating habits of the people in that country. Make a presentation to other Girl Scouts or your classmates.
   
• Have you ever thought about the energy use in your home? What about your family's recycling efforts? Make a list, recording your family's use of energy and recycling. Show your family your findings and try to make improvements over the next two weeks. For example, you can lower the thermostat by a degree or two, add cardboard packaging to your recycling efforts, unplug appliances while not in use, etc. Write down your achievements and share with your group.  If you would like to do more things like this, take the Get Movingleadershipjourney.
   
• Take action by joining with other girls in Girl Scout Forever Green Community Take Action Projectand take the Girl Scouts Forever Green Pledge.