BOSTON–Suffolk recently hosted 16 Girl Scouts at Suffolk’s Roxbury headquarters for a day of learning about the fascinating world of construction and the importance of female representation in the industry. The visit was part of Suffolk’s 10-year “Rebuild the Ratio” partnership with Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA).
Following an introduction to Suffolk and its nearby Roxbury Prep Charter School construction project, the girls toured headquarters, participated in a hands-on STEM-related activity, and viewed Roxbury Prep “topping-out.” The Junior Scouts watched the final steel beam hoisted and secured to the top of the structure from a Suffolk balcony.
An integral part of the Suffolk and GSEMA partnership is the development of the “Juniors Who Build” STEM-based curriculum and patch program, which launched in March 2023. “Juniors Who Build” takes Girl Scouts through a five-step process of building a treehouse, with options to choose an activity for each step. Upon completion of the program, Girl Scouts will be armed with knowledge of design and coordination, cost and estimation, planning, site management and safety, and trades. All of the Girl Scouts who visited Suffolk achieved their curriculum with their participation in the STEM activity at Suffolk and received their patches at the conclusion of their visit.
Suffolk’s “Rebuild the Ratio” partnership with GSEMA exemplifies the company’s commitment to increasing the number of women in the construction industry, which includes Suffolk recently becoming an initial signatory on the U.S Department of Commerce’s Million Women in Construction Community Pledge.