“Badge it Up,” a website and app created by Girl Scout Troop #50132, earned the girls the $2,000 first prize in the first annual Hack Columbus Hack-a-thon at the Chattahoochee Valley Library. Girl Scouts Anaia Carney(Brownie), Azaria Carney(Junior), D'Mija Davis (Junior), Tiondra Grant (Senior) , Angel Smith (Brownie), and Taiylor Williams(Junior) developed “Badge it Up” with the help of 13-year-old programmer and entrepreneur William Harris from Blackmon Road Middle School. The app provides access to information about all the Girl Scout badges and links to resources in the library that can help girls earn them.

The girls had two days to design and develop a prototype for the judges to see. Though unfinished, the prototype can be accessed at http://www.badgeitup.com. The troop’s prize money will be used to complete and launch the app, which is scheduled for December 2014. 

“I was proud to see our girls accomplish so much in such a short time,” said Lavelle Williams, troop leader and Girl Scout mom. Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia encourages girls to explore careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) through participation in programs like this one and by hosting STEM programs throughout the council.