Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Cadette MEdia Journey Set requirements.
See the MEdia Journey Set Activity List for ideas on the other steps!
Items needed
- Pens or pencils
- Paper (enough for at least one per scout)
- Internet-connected devices for research or communication (optional)
Instructions
- Scouts reflect on how they want to inspire others and identify a media issue they want to address. Examples include negative stereotypes, harmful trends, or a lack of representation.
- Scouts answer the following prompts to explore their ideas:
- “I could live without seeing ____ anymore on TV, in movies, on the web, or in magazines.”
- “It would be nice if I didn’t have to worry about being/doing ____ just because others think it’s cool. What does the media have to do with that?”
- “Wouldn’t it be great if there were a TV show or movie about ____?”
- “I am most self-conscious about my ____. What part does the media play in that?”
- “The stereotypes that most apply to me or someone I know are ____. Where do those stereotypes exist in media?”
- Once scouts have developed their ideas, they build a support network and create an action plan:
- Meet new people and use media in innovative ways to achieve their goals.
- Develop skills like communication and media literacy to educate and inspire others.
- Utilize blogs, social media, or word-of-mouth to share their ideas.
- Scouts identify people who can help, such as college students, community leaders, professionals, or media creators. Depending on their plan, they might seek:
- Web designers for creating a website.
- Filmmakers or radio hosts for a public service announcement (PSA).
- Editors and designers for a magazine project.
- Scouts think about their audience and tailor their approach:
- For kids at school: Be funny and clever, using relatable language.
- For the general public: Appeal to a wide range of groups.
- For politicians: Use formal communication like letters, phone calls, or petitions.
- For non-English speakers: Work with translators or interpreters.
- For old-media executives: Be formal and professional.
- For new-media executives: Use creative methods to stand out.
Media Issue Ideas:
- Challenge Stereotypes in Media
- Identify stereotypes in a favorite streaming series or show. Create your own episode that breaks those stereotypes and shares positive representation.
- Optional: Post it on social media and tag the creators, or send it directly to the show’s producers.
- Promote Realistic Beauty Standards
- Analyze a social media influencer’s or brand’s post that promotes unrealistic beauty standards. Create your own post showcasing real, unfiltered beauty or diverse body types.
- Optional: Collaborate with peers to share it in your school or community and tag the influencers/brands.
- Rethink Representation in Popular Movies or Shows
- Pick a blockbuster movie or trending show that lacks diversity or has harmful depictions. Use a “Movie Trailer” format to reimagine the storyline with better representation and values.
- Optional: Share it online with hashtags like #DiverseMedia or #BetterStorylines.
- Address Misinformation in Ads
- Find an ad or campaign with misleading claims (e.g., about diet products, health trends, or eco-friendliness). Create a PSA exposing the truth and promoting a positive alternative.
- Optional: Submit the PSA to local organizations or your community’s media outlets.
- Rewrite Lyrics with Positive Messages
- Take a popular song that contains harmful or negative messages and rewrite it with empowering, positive lyrics. Perform and record your version to share with friends or online communities.
- Optional: Share it with the original artist or ask local musicians to perform it.
- Change a Game’s Narrative or Marketing
- Analyze a video game with stereotypes or harmful messages in its story or marketing. Develop your own concept for a level or characters that reflect inclusivity and positivity.
- Optional: Share your ideas with the game’s creators or a gaming community.
- Create Inclusive Content for Social Media
- Design a short, uplifting video or meme about kindness, mental health, or positive friendships to counter negative social media trends.
- Optional: Post it on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube with engaging captions and hashtags like #PositiveMedia.
- Improve Accessibility in Media
- Explore how shows, games, or websites might exclude people with disabilities. Create a plan to improve accessibility, such as adding subtitles or narration.
- Optional: Share your ideas with producers or companies to encourage change.
- Reframe Existing Content with New Soundtracks or Edits
- Take a scene from a movie, TV show, or ad and edit it with a different soundtrack to completely change its tone and message.
- Optional: Use creative platforms like YouTube or video editing software to share your work.
- Celebrate Positive Role Models
- Research public figures who use media to inspire change, such as activists or influencers promoting positive values. Create a short video or social media post celebrating their work.
- Optional: Reach out to them to let them know how they’ve inspired you.
- Tackle Online Bullying or Hate Speech
- Create a campaign or infographic about recognizing and preventing online bullying. Share it on school bulletin boards or online platforms.
- Optional: Work with school leaders or local organizations to implement anti-bullying workshops.
References:
- Russell, Wendy Thomas, and Sarah Goodman. MEdia. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the USA, 2010.
The Badge Archive 