Elisabeth Preston From Edwardsville Designated With A Gold Award Girl Scout

Preston earns Gold Award by transforming a spare room into a vibrant STEAM lab at St. Ambrose School in Godfrey.

Tricia Higgins

Jan 28, 2026 3:58 PM Jan 28, 2026 4:36 PM

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois congratulates Elisabeth Preston from Edwardsville for becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout—a designation she earned by creating a STEAM lab at St. Ambrose School in Godfrey.

Elisabeth has a strong connection with the STEAM fields, particularly math, science, and art. Through research, she learned that interest in these fields can decline as youth approach their teenage years. Keeping that interest alive – along with giving back to her former school – fueled Elisabeth’s desire to create a STEAM lab that could benefit youth for years to come.

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First, Elisabeth was given access to a spare room at the school that she could transform into a working STEAM lab. So she assembled a team of volunteers and got to work. After clearing the room, the team applied a fresh coat of paint and added new furniture to refresh the space. Next, Elisabeth collaborated with teachers to ensure their needs were being met. She curated a list of projects that would provide great hands-on learning opportunities for students of all grade levels at the school. Then, she installed a grow station, 3D printers, robotics kits, a LEGO wall, a fully stocked makerspace, and a reading nook featuring a library of STEAM books to bring her vision to life.

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Gold Award Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally. As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they’re the leaders our world needs.

“Through my work I truly learned what it means to be a leader and how much effort it takes to be one,” said Elisabeth when reflecting on her Gold Award project. “This mission gave me strength, dedication, and courage, and I now know I am capable of anything.”

Elisabeth is the daughter of Karie and Samuel Preston. She is currently a senior at Edwardsville High School. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education in the field of biology. Elisabeth is a Trifecta Girl Scout who has earned the Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves over 6,300 girls and engages nearly 3,600 adults in 40 counties in Southern Illinois. Call 800-345-6858 or email customercare@gsofsi.org. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by United Ways, businesses and individual donors throughout the region.

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