Second Tuesday in October – Ada Lovelace Day
An international celebration of the achievements of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Ada worked with the inventor of the first computer, and is often referred to as “the first computer programmer”
Activities: Invite a local computer expert to show you some simple programming skills, and then have a go yourself. Look at for a simple programming package. Create slime, build a tower from marshmallows and spaghetti, build a catapult or elastic band car from junk and see whose works the best.
Take it further: Visit Barclays for a coding session, get your girls to search Pintrest.com for “STEM Kids” for loads of great ideas, then follow up with the favourite experiment they want to try.
Badge Links: Science or Science Investigator Interest badge, or Experiment Go For It.
Web Links: http://www.barclays.co.uk/DigitalEagles/BarclaysCodePlayground/P1242686640999
31st October -
Originally a celebration to ward off evil spirits, Halloween is now celebrated by holding parties, dressing up, carving pumpkins and going trick or treating.
Activities: Hold a Halloween evening: fancy dress, spooky themed food, spooky music. Play traditional Halloween games such as Apple bobbing, or something new such as pumpkin bowling. Choose a favourite Halloween craft to do; make bats, spooky scenes, ghostly friends. Play Halloween Bingo
Take it further: Go on a ghost walk around your local city, see if there are guided tours. Visit a local haunted house and go ghost spotting, or organise a spooky sleepover.
1ST October 1908 – First Ford model T produced
The Ford Model T was the first affordable car produced in the US. Produced by mass production for the citizens of the US, it seated 2 people, and they sold almost 15,000,000 cars.
Activities: Have a car themed evening; discuss the pros and cons of every household having 1 or more cars. Make cardboard cars and have a “Drive In Movie” night.
Take it Further: Go for a walk car spotting; different makes, colours, styles. Visit a car manufacturing plant to see how they are assembled. Visit a local mechanics or garage and learn basic car maintenance, how to change a tyre and top up water and oil. Older girls may take an off road driving experience. Try Go-
Badge Links: Road Safety, Personal Safety
1st October 1946 – Mensa started
This society is open to anybody providing their IQ is in the top 98th percentile. There are no other requirements.
Activities: Have a puzzling evening; from jigsaws to Sudoku, logical games and code breaking.
1st October 1971– Walt Disney Resort Opens
In 1971 Disney World opened. The theme park near Orlando, Florida has rides, attractions, and events as well as the Disney characters, parades and shops.
Activities: Discuss your favourite Disney Move. Who are the main characters and what is the plot? Do some Disney themed crafts, or have a dressing up evening.
Take it further: Visit your local theme park, have a Disney Princess themed sleepover, or even take a trip to Disneyland Paris
1st October 1982 -
Epcot is the second Disney park to open in Florida and features pavilions representing eleven countries from around the world including culture, history, foods and shops selling some of the goods you would find in each country.
Activities: Learn about the 11 countries represented at the original EPCOT centre. Think about how technology is changing and design something for use in the future to make lives easier or better.
Take it further: Create your own mini EPCOT, each patrol or six research a country and provide examples of the history, culture, traditional goods and food from their chosen location, for the rest of the unit to share.
27th October 1728 – Birth of James Cook
The British navigator was born in Yorkshire. He explored New Zealand, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands.
Activities: Hold a New Zealand or Australian themed evening. Have a BBQ and try sports such as cricket, or rugby. Watch the New Zealand Hakka and make up your own in your sixes or patrols. Have a Hawaiian evening with grass skirts, coconuts and mocktails. Finish up with hula hooping or trying to limbo.
Take it further: Try some exploration of your own. Navigate around your area using a map, or play map related games. For older girls, drop them in a secret location with just a map and time each group to see how long it take them to return to a pre-
Badge Links: Finding your Way Interest badge
Other ideas for October
Ocktoberfest
Birth Flower: Marigold
Birth Stone: Tourmaline
| Order Form |