IP Patch FAQ
What is the new Girl Scouts "intellectual property" Patch?
The IP Patch was developed as a joint partnership between the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (GSCNC) and the USPTO and in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) Education Foundation. Pursuant to the partnership, the parties (USPTO and GSCNC) agreed to collaborate on the development of an Intellectual Property Patch program.
The patch's materials will be publicly available on the USPTO Website and on the IPO Education Foundation Website. Girl Scouts from councils in other parts of the country may elect to participate in the patch program to earn the IP patch.
The program will include supporting curriculum and structured activities for girls of all ages designed to increase awareness of and interest in the creation and protection of intellectual property (IP) across disciplines and particularly as it relates to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Is the patch open to all levels of the Girl Scouts?
The patch is available in four levels (Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior). The patch complements the existing Innovation Badges of GSUSA.
The Girl Scout Brownie Inventor badge teaches girls how to think like an inventor. The IP patch will show the tools that allow inventors to benefit from their inventions while also sharing them with others.
The Girl Scout Junior Product Designer badge shows how inventions can improve lives. While earning the IP patch, girls learn about basic concepts of intellectual property protection and how it protects owners and inspires others to improve and invent.
The Girl Scout Cadette Entrepreneur badge teaches girls how to think like an entrepreneur. For the IP Patch girls learn how to add value to their business by utilizing intellectual property to promote and protect their work. e. The Girl Scout Senior Social Innovator badge teaches girl how to identify a social problem and develop a great solution. The IP patch will inspire Girl Scouts and show them how intellectual property helps protect and promote innovation.
Will the new IP patch be expanded to the national Girl Scouts organization?
While the patch was developed locally with the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital, girls across the country will have the opportunity to earn the patch.
About Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital
GSCNC is one of the largest and most diverse Girl Scout Councils in the country with 88,000 members (61,000 girls in grades K-12 and 27,000 adult volunteers) representing the District of Columbia, and 25 counties in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
About IPO Education Foundation
IPO Education Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting intellectual property education and awareness.
