Girl Scout Badge-Earning Opportunities
Our summer calendar is packed with programs, and many of them also happen to meet Girl Scout badge requirements! These are not designed as badge workshops, they’re just a win-win for Girl Scouts.
All events are free and open to the public. If you would like to bring the whole troop, please call ahead or consider requesting a small-group program to have a workshop facilitated just for your troop. Our list of small-group programs is listed here and growing all the time!
A ticket symbol indicates that space is limited — tickets will be available at the circulation desk 30 minutes before the program. If you are planning to bring more than a few people, call ahead and find out if the library will be able to accommodate your group.
A mouse symbol indicates that registration is required, usually to receive the Zoom link.
Our Engage brochure has even more programs than are listed here, including podcasting and video editing for teens and lots of hands-on STEAM activities for all ages.
For badge-earning opportunities at home, check out this list of STEAM kits and library videos that support Girl Scout badge work!
Summer Reading!
Combine your PPL Summer Reading goal with the GSNETX Summer Reading Patch requirements!
Register for PPL’s Summer Reading online here, starting June 1.
MAY
May 5 – Chopstick Fun (All ages)
2pm – Davis Library
Learn how to use chopsticks with tips and tricks for beginners. Experience the fun and challenge of using chopsticks through games.
Meets some requirements for GSNETX Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month patch.
May 18 – Counting Coins (Grades K-5)
3pm – Haggard Library
Strengthen your child’s knowledge of money and how to count it through hands-on activities.
Meets requirements for Daisy Money Explorer
May 26 – Box Planetarium (Grades 4-8)
2pm – Schimelpfenig Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Learn about stars and constellations by exploring how planetariums work. Then, create a planetarium of your own so you can enjoy outer space from your own space.
Meets some requirements for Junior Space Science Investigator, Cadette Space Science Researcher
JUNE
June 4 – Coral Reef Creations (Grades 3-5)
3pm – Davis Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Explore the world of coral reefs and learn their crucial role in the ocean ecosystem, then create your own.
Meets some requirements for Brownie Wonders of Water Journey, Junior Animal Habitats
June 4-6 – Youth Entrepreneurship Academy (Ages 16-18)
1-4pm – Haggard Library
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur and sell your idea in a pitch contest format. Attendees will be assigned to groups, create a business idea, write a business plan, and pitch to a panel of business professionals. Prizes provided. Please only register if you can attend all three sessions. Registration takes place in person at any Plano Library and begins on May 20. Space is limited.
Meets all requirements for Senior Business Startup and Ambassador Entrepreneur Accelerator
June 7 – Make Your Own Asteroid (All Ages)
3pm – Harrington Library
Don’t miss a thing when you learn how asteroids form in our solar system and make your very own asteroid.
Meets some requirements for Daisy Space Science Explorer, Brownie Space Science Adventurer, Junior Space Science Investigator
June 8 – Driving A.I. (Grades 3-5)
3pm – Haggard Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Explore the intricate decision-making process of driverless cars at intersections, including stop signs, traffic lights, and roundabouts, by writing your own algorithm for smooth and safe navigation.
Meets most requirements for Brownie Coding for Good 1, Junior Coding for Good 1
June 11 – Intro to Robotics with Ozobots (Grades K-5)
10:30-11:30am – Davis Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Explore coding basics with hands-on activities, guiding pint-sized robots along colorful paths for a fun, educational experience.
Meets most requirements for Daisy Coding for Good 1, Brownie Coding for Good 1, Junior Coding for Good 1
June 11 – A Plan for My City (Grades K-5)
3pm – Haggard Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Learn about how a city plans and creates buildings, parks, schools, and houses. Afterward, collaborate with others to create your own city.
Meets all or most requirements for Daisy Good Neighbor, Brownie Celebrating Community, Junior Inside Government
June 11 – Intro to Robotics with Ozobots (Grades K-5)
12-1pm Harrington Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Explore coding basics with hands-on activities, guiding pint-sized robots along colorful paths for a fun, educational experience.
Meets most requirements for Daisy Coding for Good 1, Brownie Coding for Good 1, Junior Coding for Good 1
June 11 – Intro to Arduino and Electronics (Grades 8-12)
3-5pm – Davis Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Learn how to design and build our own circuits using different devices and sensors. Hands-on activities foster creativity and foundational skills in technology and engineering. Presented by The Texas A&M Engineering Spark! Engineering Education Outreach Program
Meet requirements for Robotics 1: Designing Robots and Robotics 2: Programming Robots
June 12 – Intro to Robotics with Ozobots (Grades K-5)
11:30am-12:30pm – Haggard Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Explore coding basics with hands-on activities, guiding pint-sized robots along colorful paths for a fun, educational experience.
Meets most requirements for Daisy Coding for Good 1, Brownie Coding for Good 1, Junior Coding for Good 1
June 12 – Intro to Arduino and Electronics (Grades 8-12)
3-5pm – Haggard Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Learn how to design and build our own circuits using different devices and sensors. Hands-on activities foster creativity and foundational skills in technology and engineering. Presented by The Texas A&M Engineering Spark! Engineering Education Outreach Program
Meet requirements for Robotics 1: Designing Robots and Robotics 2: Programming Robots
June 12 – Spending Money on a Trip (Grades K-5)
3pm – Davis Library
Plan a trip to the park as you learn about spending, saving, and budgeting!
Meets requirements for Daisy My Money Choices, Brownie Budget Builder
June 13 – Intro to Robotics with Ozobots (Grades K-5)
12-1pm Harrington Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Explore coding basics with hands-on activities, guiding pint-sized robots along colorful paths for a fun, educational experience.
Meets most requirements for Daisy Coding for Good 1, Brownie Coding for Good 1, Junior Coding for Good 1
June 13 – Intro to Arduino and Electronics (Grades 8-12)
3-5pm – Harrington Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Learn how to design and build our own circuits using different devices and sensors. Hands-on activities foster creativity and foundational skills in technology and engineering. Presented by The Texas A&M Engineering Spark! Engineering Education Outreach Program
Meet requirements for Robotics 1: Designing Robots and Robotics 2: Programming Robots
June 17- Financial Intelligence Training for Teens (Grades 6-12)
3pm – Haggard Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Set goals and spending plans, manage credit and debt, and plan for your future. Financial Intelligence Training (JR) is a personal finance class led by college students from UNT, and is ideal for preparing teens for financial independence.
Meets requirements for Cadette Budget Manager, My Money Habits, Senior Savvy Saver, Ambassador My Financial Planner
June 17-21 – Movie Maker Camp (Grades 6-12)
2-5pm – Harrington Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Join us for a 5 day camp to master the art of movie magic using DaVinci Resolve. Learn the principles of filming, acting, screenwriting, editing, and green screen usage. Please only register if you can attend all 5 sessions. Space is limited.
Cadette Digital Movie Maker, Cadette Screenwriter
June 19 – Critters and Litter (All ages)
3pm – Parr Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Are there really beavers in Plano? Come chat with our wildlife expert about who our nature neighbors are and how we can keep their habitats clean and litter-free.
Meets some/most requirements for Daisy Animal Observer and Daisy Eco Learner
June 20 – Saving with a Purpose (Ages 16+)
6:30pm – Haggard and Virtual
Registration required. Register online
Boost your savings: The fastest way to get lost is to not know where you are going. Whether you want to pay down debt, save for a big purchase, or plan ahead for a lifestyle change, being clear on your purpose can aid your success. Presented by Bank of America.
Meets requirements for Senior Savvy Saver, requirement 3 for Ambassador College Knowledge.
June 23 – Constellation Embroidery (Ages 13+)
2pm – Parr Library
Learn basic embroidery stitches as you create a constellation project.
Meets most requirements for Senior Textile Artist
June 23 – Pick a Pet (All ages)
2pm – Davis Library
Do you have a pet at home or do you want one? Learn about different pets and the costs and responsibilities of owning one.
Meets requirements for Brownie Pets
June 24 – Counting Coins (Grades K-5)
3pm – Parr Library
Strengthen your child’s knowledge of money and how to count it through hands-on activities.
Meets requirements for Daisy Money Explorer
JULY
July 1 – Paper Airplane Challenge (All ages)
3pm – Haggard Library
Up, up, and away! Learn how to make different kinds of paper airplanes and helicopters and see if they can survive our obstacle course.
Meets requirements for Brownie Fling Flyer
July 1 – Be a Citizen Scientist: SciStarter (Ages 16+)
6pm – Virtual
Registration required. Register online
Explore the wonders of the natural world and contribute to real scientific research through citizen science. Learn about different citizen science opportunities and how you can participate.
Meets some requirements for Senior and Ambassador Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey.
July 8 – Clean Creeks, Cool Science (All ages)
3pm – Schimelpfenig Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Who lives in the creek? How clean is their water? Join us for a close-up look at our aquatic nature friends.
Meets some requirements for Daisy Eco Learner and Brownie Wonders of Water journey.
July 9 – Counting Coins (Grades K-5)
3pm – Davis Library
Strengthen your child’s knowledge of money and how to count it through hands-on activities.
Meets requirements for Daisy Money Explorer
July 11 – Photopea Basics (Ages 13+)
3pm – Virtual
Registration required. Register online
Photopea is a free, web-based alternative to Photoshop, and we will show you how to make your photos pop using this software.
Meets some requirements for Ambassador Photographer.
July 13 – Build a Skimmer (Grades 3-5)
3pm – Davis Library
Ready, set, glide! Design a sail for your skimmer and see how different sail shapes impact your skimmer’s performance.
Meets requirements for Junior Mechanical Engineering: Paddle Boat
July 15 – Create a Creature (All Ages)
3pm – Harrington Library
Learn about the ways animals adapt and change to better survive in their environment and from predators.
Meets requirements for Daisy Animal Observer
July 15-19 – Movie Maker Camp (Grades 6-12)
2-5pm – Haggard Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Join us for a 5 day camp to master the art of movie magic using DaVinci Resolve. Learn the principles of filming, acting, screenwriting, editing, and green screen usage. Please only register if you can attend all 5 sessions. Space is limited.
BADGE: Cadette Digital Movie Maker, Cadette Screenwriter
July 25 – Unity Basics (Ages 13+)
3pm – Virtual
Registration required. Register online
Learn the basics of game design including software navigation, creating scene, asset mapping, using tools, and exporting.
Meets requirements for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Coding for Good 2: Digital Game Design.
July 28 – X Marks the Spot (All Ages)
2pm – Schimelpfenig Library
Explore the significance of sequencing in coding and apply your new knowledge in a screen-free challenge.
Meets most requirements for Daisy Coding for Good: Coding Basics and some for Brownie Coding for Good: Coding Basics
AUGUST
August 1 – Unreal Engine: Basics (Ages 13+)
3pm – Virtual
Registration required. Register online
Learn the basics of the software and its potential uses for animation, video game development, and lighting. All skill levels welcome.
Meets requirements for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Coding for Good 2: Digital Game Design.
August 3 – Counting Coins (Grades K-5)
3pm – Schimelpfenig Library
Strengthen your child’s knowledge of money and how to count it through hands-on activities.
Meets requirements for Daisy Money Explorer
August 4 – Pick a Pet (All ages)
2pm – Parr Library
Do you have a pet at home or do you want one? Learn about different pets and the costs and responsibilities of owning one.
Meets requirements for Brownie Pets
August 17 – Let Your Money Grow (Grades 6-12)
3pm – Haggard Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Work on fun projects while gaining hands-on experience managing money. Take your project home or give it as a gift.
Meets most requirements for Cadette Budget Manager
August 25 – Wildflower Power (All ages)
2pm – Davis Library
Make your own wildflower seed bombs and unearth the importance of wildflowers to our local pollinators and ecosystem. It will be a blast!
Meets some requirements for Daisy Flower Garden journey
August 31 – Polymers Bouncing Balls
3pm – Schimelpfenig Library
Tickets available 30 minutes prior to program, available in-person only
Bounce into the fascinating world of chemistry and physics with our exploration of polymers. Then apply what you learned by creating your own bouncing ball.
All levels — Polymer science patch
