You are never too small to make a big splash. Second and third graders from Milford Girl Scout Brownie Troop 65354 recently traded troop meetings for the grand halls of the State House, traveling to Beacon Hill to present their very own scientific research to State Senator Rebecca Rausch.

The exciting visit on June 25 marked the finale of the troop’s year-long leadership journey focused on water conservation and environmental protection. During the snowy winter months, the young citizen scientists periodically collected water samples from Milford's Louisa Lake, which is important to both Massachusetts and the troop members, who love being out in nature and having Girl Scout meetings at the lake.

Using testing kits from Salt Watch, a national community science project tracking road salt pollution, the scouts carefully measured chloride levels from winter road runoff, crunched the numbers, and charted their findings. Their fieldwork uncovered elevated chloride levels in the local water source. Prepared with data and a thoughtful presentation, the scouts met with Senator Becca Rausch and her staff to explain how everyday winter maintenance impacts aquatic life and local ecosystems. They didn't just highlight the problem though, they brought smart solutions, teaching adults how to use road salt responsibly by applying only the recommended amounts and sweeping up excess salt before it washes away.

This community action project also earned Girl Scouts Vera, Tegan, Mia, Mabel, Hailey, Charlotte, and Adeline the prestigious Journey Summit Award, the highest honor a Brownie can achieve through completing three leadership journeys. Along with sharing their hard work, the scouts enjoyed fielding thoughtful questions from Rausch, learning firsthand how state leaders work to protect the environment for future generations, and getting an exciting tour of the state house. 

If you’re inspired by these citizen scientists, new Girl Scout troops are forming now for girls entering grades K–12! To find out how to get involved, contact [email protected].