Today is the perfect day to encourage girls to use their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to make a real, positive difference in our communities and our world.

That’s because April 27 is International Girls in ICT Day (ICT = information and communication technologies), a day when Girl Scouts take the lead to explore how STEM can make the world a better place!

Since International Girls in ICT Day launched in 2014, more than 240,000 girls and young women have taken part in over 7,200 celebrations in 160 countries worldwide.

Let’s keep that going—and growing—in 2017 and beyond!

There are so many ways you can launch or enhance Girl Scout STEM activities in your community now to reap the benefits later:

1. Plan an event! Let’s get people talking, thinking, and learning more about information and communications technologies. Consider hosting hands-on workshops, career fairs, or one-on-one events with female role-models. Use your imagination, create some excitement, and watch girls’ interest in technology soar! Find more ideas and resources at www.itu.int/girlsinict.

2. Go exploring! There are super-simple ways to find teachable moments in your day-to-day life—and show girls how they can learn about STEM and have fun at the same time. You don’t need to be an expert to introduce girls to STEM, you just have to start the conversation, and she’ll learn the rest. Spark curiosity with these simple activities.

3. Get coding! Young girls are fascinated by science, but research shows that their interest declines as they reach their teens. Made with Code, a pioneering project from Google, reignites that interest in STEM through coding. When girls learn to code, they’re better able to communicate their ideas using technology, so those ideas are brought to life in bigger, brighter, and more creative ways.

On International Girls in ICT Day, let’s work to create a global environment that encourages girls and young women to consider careers in STEM fields. Because what’s good for girls is good for everyone. And the more girls become comfortable with science and technology, the more they can use those skills to forge a better world for all of us.

Let us know how you’re putting the “innovator” in G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) ™ as you acknowledge International Girls in ICT Day. Share your story, and you could be featured on the Girl Scout Blog or in articles and videos on the Our Stories hub.