Racing Toward the Future: Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Engineers

Back in late 2025, Oliver was connected with Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) to support one of its hands-on STEM programs in need of a critical update. Through GSHNJ’s Concierge Program offerings, "Get Rollin’" gives Girl Scouts the opportunity to design, build, and race their own cars down a cardboard track. Rooted in experiential learning, the program introduces core concepts in engineering and physics while strengthening problem-solving and critical thinking skills. By the end of the experience, participants earn their automotive engineering badge.

When Oliver was connected to GSHNJ, the program was at risk. After years of heavy use, the original cardboard track had reached the end of its life and was no longer usable. With no replacement available, Get Rollin’ was facing an unplanned retirement. Instead, Oliver stepped in to help design and donate a brand-new, custom-built track—ensuring that Girl Scouts across the council can continue to access this STEM experience for years to come.

The project was led by one of Oliver’s Packaging Designers, Lorena Reyes, who took on the challenge of reimagining the track from the ground up. While the goal was simple—build a better track—the design requirements were anything but. Lorena had to consider efficiency, portability, durability, and ease of use all at once. The track needed to be lightweight and easy to transport, as program coordinators frequently assemble and disassemble it for events in different locations. Similar to straps on a CleanCut Card, Lorena made sure to include straps on the carrying case for easy transport. The track also needed to be structurally sound and perfectly straight, as any misalignment could send cars flying off course mid-race. Another feature Lorena included was rails for the side of the track. This is something she works with every day on CleanCut card designs, and in this case, they helped keep the cars stable on the track. Accessibility was another design requirement. The track had to feature simple, intuitive construction, so straightforward that a Girl Scout of any age could assemble it. This was achieved through a clever system of matching shapes as interlocking components, which helped to eliminate guesswork during setup. To ensure longevity of the track, Lorena minimized folds in the design, reducing material fatigue and preventing flimsiness over time. Every design choice followed a “less is more” philosophy, resulting in an intentional structure made entirely from corrugated cardboard for easy storage and transport.

During this Get Rollin’ event at GSHNJ's Girl Scout Leadership Center in Newark, NJ, participants build their own race cars using Girl Scout cookie boxes, transforming familiar packaging into custom race cars. As they test and refine their designs, they explore key STEM concepts like aerodynamics, speed, and weight distribution. Participants experiment with adding weight and adjusting their builds, seeing firsthand how small changes impact performance. Lorena had the chance to attend Get Rollin’ via video call, where she spoke to the Girl Scouts about her design process, challenges faced, and even got to share her journey toward becoming a packaging designer. Once the girls finished building their cars, the track was put to the test.

As the cars crossed the finish line, it was clear the track had done exactly what it was designed to do. Yes, it performed as needed. But more importantly, it supported creativity, curiosity, and hands-on discovery around STEM. The track became more than a tool—but a tangible reminder that engineering is for everyone.