New hands-on learning facility for Girl Scouts opens in New Jersey

Updated 2 hours ago
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- A new hands-on learning facility for girls in New Jersey has opened, called DreamLab.

It will give Girl Scouts a chance to learn everything from podcasting and coding to woodworking.

Three girls in high school had an advisory role in designing this state-of-the-art DreamLab for the Girl Scouts of Northern Jersey.

"I think the space is just a symbol of possibility. It gives girls an opportunity to explore different things. It gives them an opportunity to socialize. And I feel like growing up, I never had that. So to me, the space is very emotional," Girl Scout Tanvee Sethi said.

It's 12,000 square feet of brand new, bright, multi-purpose rooms for the young girls to pursue their passions.



From a test kitchen that can transform into a coding lab or art studio, to podcasts to public speaking spaces, all of this is designed to help launch dreams.

"One of the things that I really love was having the microscopes here and the 3D printers, so girls could be able to learn how to code and make things for themselves, and be able to figure out what they liked in the world of STEM," Girl Scout Yasmine Lalani said.

It cost $3 million and took one year to renovate the old building.

"Our mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. And we always talk about keeping up with the speed of girls. And when we're in a world of AI and, technology and advancements, and we want to make sure that we are doing more to develop girls into the leaders of tomorrow," Sandra Kenoff, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern Jersey said.

"I love being a part of a building such as this, where it creates like a dynamic way for girls to experience and learn and create about different things that they are passionate about and that that can motivate them in the future," Girl Scout Emilia Cole said.



The space was designed for Girl Scouts, but there are plans to welcome other non-profits into this space when the girls are at school. One example is computer classes for seniors or blood drives.

DreamLab officially opens in June.

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