In southern Dallas, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas inaugurated the new Dallas County Girl Scout Dream Lab on March 4, 2023. The facility is designed to ignite curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among young women, particularly in underserved communities. With a repurposed 10,000-square-foot space, the DreamLab features climbing walls, a podcasting studio, a kitchen, and outdoor areas, all aimed at fostering an engaging environment for girls.
During the opening event, **Braiya Thompson**, a seven-year-old Girl Scout, expressed her excitement as she watched a laser-cutting machine create a personalized charm for her bracelet. The machine, known as xTool, carved her name on a small piece of material, showcasing the hands-on learning experiences available in the DreamLab. She was one of approximately 300 attendees celebrating the launch.
Jennifer Bartkowski, Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, emphasized the importance of providing such resources. “It’s a space built for girls by girls,” she said. The DreamLab seeks to address a decline in Girl Scout membership, which fell from around **1.4 million** in 2019 to just over **1 million** in 2021 due to the pandemic. Bartkowski noted that many families desire the opportunities offered by the Girl Scouts but may lack awareness or access to the organization.
The DreamLab represents a strategic effort to enhance engagement in areas like southern Dallas, which Bartkowski describes as “underchampioned.” She highlighted the need for single-gender spaces that allow young women to gain confidence and explore their interests. “If we can do that, those girls are going to become women who run communities, schools, governments, and companies,” she asserted.
The late **Eddie Bernice Johnson**, a former U.S. Congresswoman, played a crucial role in securing federal funding for the DreamLab. This new facility is the second and largest of its kind in Texas, following the first one in Flower Mound. With over **18,000** girls involved in Girl Scouts in northeast Texas, Bartkowski aims to introduce thousands more into the organization by **2030**.
The opening event also featured various activities. Attendees enjoyed a rotating rock climbing wall, which provided a fun challenge for climbers. Young participants like **Susanne Elliott**, aged five, and her brother **Wesley Elliott**, aged nine, demonstrated their skills on the wall, while others engaged with educational activities.
In a multipurpose room, **Eric Brittingham**, president of Wildlife On the Move, introduced a Texas tortoise named Mystery, entertaining the crowd with humor. “The ultimate party pooper,” he quipped, referring to the tortoise’s behavior.
Hands-on activities included circuit building and microscope observations, where **Aanya Lakhani**, a fifteen-year-old aspiring doctor, expressed her enthusiasm over the blue specks she discovered. Aanya was also set to interview **Krys Boyd**, host and managing editor of KERA-FM’s flagship midday talk show, in the new podcasting studio as part of the Girl Scouts’ podcasting club.
Bartkowski concluded by stating, “We are not your grandparents’ Girl Scouts. We’re about STEM. We’re about confidence. We’re about public speaking.” The DreamLab aims to redefine the Girl Scouts experience and empower the next generation of women leaders.
