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Troop Leader FAQ

Welcome to STEM the Gap Academy, where we encourage, educate, and empower the next generation of girls in STEM. If your troop includes at least 10 girls in total, they should either all be in the same Girl Scout level or be one of these approved level pairings: Daisies with Brownies, Juniors with Cadettes, or Seniors with Ambassadors. Once your troop meets this requirement, you may schedule a private class at a time that suits your group. Alternatively, you’re welcome to join one of our regularly scheduled classes. These scheduled classes are offered in collaboration with multiple councils across the country, giving your troop the opportunity to learn alongside Girl Scouts from all over.

Below, you'll find answers to commonly asked questions to help you get started easily. Once you're ready, please complete the Google form at the end of this page. You can expect to hear back from us within 24 hours.  If we haven’t addressed all your questions yet, we’ll be glad to answer them when we connect.

Can I choose any day of the week to hold our class?
The majority of our classes take place on weekends, as our instructors are typically employed full-time during weekdays. However, afterschool weekday classes may also be available. When completing the Google form below, you will be asked to provide your top three preferred dates. We always strive to accommodate your top choice.
Do the girls each need their own device, or can we all join together from one classroom on a single screen?
Both options are possible; choose based on the experience you’d like to create:

Option A: Individual Devices (Online at Home)
Advantages:
Teachers can clearly see and address each student by name.
Reduced distractions and stronger focus.
Each girl can participate and respond independently.

Option B: Shared Device in One Space
Pros:
Encourages collaboration.
More cost-effective if you have limited devices.
Cons:
Increased potential for distractions.
Requires adult assistance to relay responses and display names clearly.
Is group pricing different if the girls are in a classroom with one screen?
No, pricing remains per girl regardless of whether they share a device. here.
What do we need in order to participate as a group in a classroom on one screen?
Lessons are 1 hour weekly. Private lessons are 40 minutes. For ages 4 and under, lessons are 30 minutes.
Can two girls share the same device?
It depends. If the class includes computer-based activities (e.g., coding), sharing a device may hinder participation. For non-digital classes, sharing may be possible, but separate access is generally preferred. contact us.
Which devices are appropriate for classes?
We recommend laptops or desktops. Tablets and smartphones are not ideal:
• Tablets: Varying settings may require instructor and parent troubleshooting.
• Phones: Screen size is too small for effective learning.
Can we request a customised curriculum?
Absolutely. We offer a flexible framework that many troop leaders have confidently used to tailor their experience. For example, several groups have requested expanded content in our cybersecurity module to make it even more relevant.

If there’s something specific you’d like to include, just let us know—we’d be delighted to work with you. Customizations typically involve an additional fee, which we’ll share with you upfront so you can make an informed decision.
How do I pay for my troop?
There are two easy ways to register girls for the private class: when we set up the class in our backend system, we’ll send you a registration link to share with parents so they can register and pay directly; alternatively, we can provide a coupon code that lets parents register for free and then invoice you afterward for all participants.

In either case, participants must be registered in our system so we can send updates, reminders, and follow-ups. When you complete the Google form, you can indicate your preferred payment option.
What is the minimum number of students needed to have a private class?
10
What is the maximum number of students you teach in one class?
15
Back to all classes

Please complete our Google form to help us plan your event. Once submitted, we will contact you within 24 hours

Google Form