Meet These Inspiring Teen Girls Competing in FIRST Robotics Competition Teams Around the United States— Part 1
We all know the importance of getting kids interested in STEM at an early age, and luckily FIRST does too. FIRST is a non-profit with programs designed to “inspire innovation and leadership through engaging, hands-on robotics challenges developed to ignite curiosity and passion in students in grades K-12.” That means young people are getting the opportunities to learn valuable science, engineering, technology, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
In addition, the kids who participate in FIRST programs also develop relationships with mentors in STEM fields as they learn the tools needed to help them become the people who will change the world.
As the FIRST robotics teams prepare for the upcoming Houston and Detroit Championships, let’s take a few minutes to meet some of the girls who are on their way to changing the world.
Tatum
Who are your role models?
My brother, he showed me robotics and taught me a lot of cool things about engineering. He’s inspired me to do a lot of projects and always has an answer when I’m stuck on something.
Why are you participating in the FIRST robotics competition?
I want to inspire people like my brother inspired me. I like to work on engineering projects, and FIRST gives me that experience.
What have you learned from being on a robotics team?
Our team,mhas taught me how to work with other people, time management, teaching skills, and so much about electronics and engineering.
What inspired you to compete?
I saw my brother competing when he was in high school and I fortunately had the chance to go to his competitions and get a lot of exposure before I was able to join FRC. Seeing what my brother did and built made me want to build and create and inspire other people as well.
How do you hope to impact the world through innovation?
Through robotics I have been exposed to a lot of types of engineering, including metallurgical and material engineering. With this exposure, I hope to continue studying it in college and bridge the gap between arts and engineering. I hope to be a role model for girls all over the world.
How are you using your voice for positive change?
Ever since 7th grade, I have been teaching summer STEM camps for kids. I teach them how to build LEGO robots and how to program them. I also have participated in teaching many girls in STEM via LEGO robot camps and try to have a positive impact through mentorship.
Favorite piece of advice you have been given?
“Be yourself,” I know that that’s a cheesy piece of advice, but honestly I’ve found it to be really helpful especially in the STEM field. I think the best way to tackle anything is to just be yourself, because being an engineer is really awesome.
What do you hope the girls coming up behind you take from the work you are doing?
As a junior, I’m already the lead of the electronics, I hope to show girls that even if they’re a junior they can be a lead. I want them to know that with hard work they can be whoever they want on the team or even in life in general.
Cristina
Who are your role models?
My role models aren’t the big name scientists that changed the course of history with their discoveries, or world leaders that lead their country out of the dust and into a glorious modern age. My role models are the people closest to me, like my student mentors in robotics, like Riya, Philip, and Shrey. They were the first to recognize my potential and recruit me to a leadership position on my robotics team. They’re also the people who’ve led our team to where it is today, either as a leader or as someone behind the scenes making sure everything is running smoothly and keeping up with the schedule. These three role models are the people who’ve mentored me to emulate them and to be a role model for members of the robotics team after me.
Why are you participating in the FIRST robotics competition?
I don’t specifically remember the moment where I decided to abandon theater and pursue this unknown adventure called robotics, but I remember specifically a camp that I had attended where I had the chance to drive an FRC robot just around our school’s cafeteria. I had the chance to control of a beautifully designed and manufactured machine made by students less than 5 years older than me. It was in that moment that I wanted to be part of this new revolution for STEM education and FIRST robotics where I would not only be shaping my future, but be spreading these new ideas to communities around me!
What have you learned from being on a robotics team?
I’ve gone through both FTC and FRC, and each experience had different lessons for me to learn from, but what connects both levels together is their emphasis on a wider impact than just yourself. I was driven to robotics because of my love for knowing how things worked, but I knew that my natural talents were in writing and in interacting with other people to give everyone a chance to participate in this awesome competition. The biggest lesson that I’ve learned from being on a robotics team is that there’s a need for a diverse group of skill sets to make a robotics team run and therefore there’s a need for a diverse group of people.
What inspired you to compete?
Competition isn’t naturally something that attracts me, but the family atmosphere that this team has, makes you want to pour your best efforts in to have the entire team succeed.
How do you hope to impact the world through innovation?
I’m passionate about improving the human condition, whether that be through medical advancements or political advocacy, but the skills that I learn on this team prepare me for whatever approach I take.
How are you using your voice for positive change?
Since being on the outreach team, I’ve learned a multitude of skills that helps promote the increase of girls in STEM. I’ve been the only girl on my robotics team for two years and though it toughened me, I would’ve loved to have someone to relate with better. I believe the increase of empowered girls in STEM will allow for more ideas from new perspectives to lead to greater innovation.
Favorite piece of advice you have been given?
“Patience is a virtue” which is a saying my mom has told me throughout my entire childhood and which has become such a part of me that I find myself repeating to my teammates. It can be applied to an immediate situation like waiting for someone to open the car, or a long term situation like waiting for things to finally go your way. Whatever the situation I find myself telling it to myself often.
What do you hope the girls coming up behind you take from the work you are doing?
I was inspired to join robotics from driving an FRC robot, but now I’m part of the nontechnical team on my robotics team. I become part of something that I love and I’m able to play it to my strengths in writing and conversation. It’s through this outreach team that I’m able to do incredible things like inspire girls in our MLK Day camp or promote STEM education through SACOT. What I want girls coming after me to know is that there’s a place for them in anything they set their minds to, even if it doesn’t seem like it right away.
Shampurna
Who are your role models?
Some of my role models include Sally Ride, Michelle Obama, and Malala Yousafzai
Why are you participating in the FIRST robotics competition?
I’ve always wanted to be an aerospace engineer ever since I was little. I’m participating in FIRST Robotics because the FIRST community has provided me a glimpse into what my future could look like if I pursue STEM initiatives and this has made me want to further my passion in engineering.
What have you learned from being on a robotics team?
I’ve learned a lot from being on a robotics team. This team has taught me how to network with professionals in the STEM industry, do hands-on manufacturing, leadership and problem-solving skills, and more.
What inspired you to compete?
Throughout my childhood, I was demoralized when the only people I saw pursuing STEM were men. However, when I reached high school, I saw so many girls in FIRST robotics and this really inspired me to compete and participate in an activity that has taught me so much.
How do you hope to impact the world through innovation?
Since I want to become an aerospace engineer, I really want to further man’s exploration in deep-space. I want to help create new innovation in space technology that can allow us to make new discoveries in the unknown.
How are you using your voice for positive change?
Our school’s FRC program has really opened my eyes on creating a positive change in my community. From inspiring young women in STEM, to helping kids in underserved communities build simple robots, the change that just a kid like me can make is astounding.
Favorite piece of advice you have been given?
The best piece of advice I have ever been given is to never wait for something to be handed to you but to work for it yourself.
What do you hope the girls coming up behind you take from the work you are doing?
I hope the girls coming up behind me can feel inspired by the work I am doing. I want to be a role model to these girls, like the strong women in my life are to me. I want these girls to understand that they have the opportunity to change the world, and if I could inspire them in any way, that would make me the happiest girl in the world.
Saanya
Who are your role models?
Melinda Gates — she has been focused on helping to identify and find solutions to the “leaky pipeline” of women going into STEM fields.
My father — ever since I was little, he always told me before I went to bed, “You can do anything.” He has supported me in becoming the well-rounded, aware person I am today and is a huge supporter of encouraging women to reach their full potential.
Why are you participating in the FIRST robotics competition?
After being on a FIRST Tech Challenge team, I fell in love with the side of FIRST that is more than just robots: reaching out into the community and sharing the benefits of STEM and the message of FIRST. Being a part of the FIRST Robotics Competition at my school has allowed me to further my passion and take this outreach to not only my community, but also communities around the nation and even around the world.
What have you learned from being on a robotics team?
I’ve learned that there are true benefits in having knowledge about technology because it is the future. Education about STEM is a great leveler and has allowed me to understand the world around me.
What inspired you to compete?
Competing in this FRC is more than just a competition, it gives people the initiative to go and spread their love for STEM. Being on a FIRST robotics team has given me a great platform to take what I am passionate about and spread that passion to other communities.
How do you hope to impact the world through innovation?
Since my freshman year, I have been very interested in the issue of ocean plastic pollution due to the scale of the issue (there is going to be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050, by volume) and the detrimental effects it has on the future of our earth. Therefore, I founded a youth organization called impact.gravitas to bring youth together to develop collaborative solutions to ocean plastic pollution.
How are you using your voice for positive change?
I was part of creating SACOT, the STEM Advocacy Conference of Texas, which aims to give high school students a voice in their STEM education through political advocacy. Education is a great leveler, so advocating to legislators the importance of bringing high quality education to all communities in Texas, especially those that are underserved, is how I’ve used my voice for positive change.
Favorite piece of advice you have been given?
Find people who can support you along your journey!
What do you hope the girls coming up behind you take from the work you are doing?
It’s easy to get caught up in the little things, however, just take a step back and look at the big picture. Your effort and determination on the team is commemorable itself!
Rosemarie
Who are your role models?
My dad. He seemed to know the answer to every question I ever had as a child, but still inspired me to explore and find out about things even he didn’t know as long as I was curious about them.
Why are you participating in FRC?
To inspire all the girls who may not have had the same support and encouragement that I’ve had, that they can do anything they put their minds to.
What have you learned from being on a robotics team?
Not only have a learned technical skills like design and machine shop use, but robotics has taught me so much about teamwork, collaboration, time management, and problem-solving.
What inspired you to compete?
I knew I was interested in STEM from a young age, and had done the Future City competition in middle school, but I wasn’t sure how to get really involved in high school. I ended up helping found the first all-girl FTC team in my school district my freshman year, and I wouldn’t give up that experience for anything.
How do you hope to impact the world through innovation?
Having grown up in a fairly affluent community, I hope to use my mechanical engineering degree to help make life easier for the less fortunate.
How are you using your voice for positive change?
In a sort of indirect way, I help get more kids, especially girls, involved in robotics in my school district. I’m one of 3 students on the team who pitch to companies for sponsorships; these sponsorships help us put on a girls’ day camp every January, as well as summer camps. I also volunteer at these camps to mentor and act as a counselor.
Favorite piece of advice you have been given?
Murphy’s Law is real. Be prepared for anything!
What do you hope the girls coming up behind you will take from the work you are doing?
My dream is that those girls will see me as a leader and as a role model, and not be afraid to explore what they want to, regardless of whether or not it’s in a male-dominated field. I want to show them they can do anything the boys can do.
Pranathi
Who are your role models?
Sheryl Sandberg, Hillary Clinton, Coco Chanel, Yuna Kim.
Why are you participating in the FIRST robotics competition?
I found and developed a love for STEM I never knew I had; I continue to design and manufacture in FIRST because it empowers me allows me to do what I love, giving me a clear view of what I want to pursue in my future.
What have you learned from being on a robotics team?
I’ve learned how to work with other people and express my opinion with confidence. Often times it’s hard to accept that your ideas and innovations are viable solutions to a problem; being a design lead in robotics has shown me that I can create smart and creative solutions to challenging problems
What inspired you to compete?
Something peculiar happened the day after my very first robotics competition in ninth grade. Underneath my previously indifferent exterior, the heart of an engineer began to slowly beat. I was inspired and motivated to bring female leadership in design to my team after experiencing the fast-paced and adrenaline rush of competition my freshman year, and I’ve been passionate about it ever since.
How do you hope to impact the world through innovation?
I would eventually like to use my degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to become a NASA engineer and make advances towards exploring deep space. I would also like to create solutions to help alleviate the effects of global warming and pollution, all while advocating for younger girls to do the same.
How are you using your voice for positive change?
I am a huge advocate for women in entrepreneurship. I advocate, give talks, and am a female face of entrepreneurship for coveted entrepreneurial program “MIT Launch.”
Check out a video documentation of my experience founding a 3D printing consultation company, JUKU, here:
Favorite piece of advice you have been given?
Do what you love, love what you do — even if it isn’t STEM. Girls have the power to change the world in any subject, in any situation, and by any constraints.
What do you hope the girls coming up behind you take from the work you are doing?
I hope that girls coming up behind me will see the boundaries I pushed and the stereotypes I fought to get to where I am today. I want girls to continue to try new things and to make voices for themselves, whether it’s in a design meeting on a FIRST robotics team, or in a conference room at a corporate company. As a freshman in high school, I coupled my passion for the arts with my passion for coding and mechanical design by 3D printing musical instruments for a startup 3D printing company — I hope girls everywhere will see this as inspiration to create new and innovative things by combining unique passions with STEM applications.
Nina
Who are your role models?
My role models aren’t the classic kinda save the world, change our life people. They are the people in my life who are there for me and support me when times are tough. My friends Leah, Marissa, Lauren, Megan, and Molly are my role models. Some of them are younger and some of them are older but they all teach me something each and everyday.
Why are you participating in the FIRST robotics competition?
When I began this program as a freshman, I was only following in my brothers footsteps because I thought that what he was doing looked really cool. I was one of the founding members of the all-girls FTC team at Westlake High School. As the year progressed, I became so engrossed with everything that was happening and I couldn’t wait to be on our team. I participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition because I feel such a sense of community and love within the team. This feeling and the people around me have changed me for the better, in so many different ways. They helped me discover who I want to be and what I want to do.
What have you learned from being on a robotics team?
I have learned how to communicate better with others, time management skills and being adaptable to sudden changes. I’ve learned who I want to be and what I want to do. This amazing team has taught me to seize the opportunities when they arise and to always do my best.
What inspired you to compete?
My brother inspired me to compete. He is such a guiding light for me in this life and I wanted to be exactly like him. I know that it was foolish of me to be like that but I wanted to do what he did and I wanted to help people.
How do you hope to impact the world through innovation?
I hope that I am able to change the lives of the people that I help. I plan to be a speech therapist and I want to merge technology, music and therapy into a better way to help some people.
How are you using your voice for positive change?
I am a voice in my friend group against discrimination of any kind. I’m not forceful or harsh but instead I am supportive and kind towards my friends. I discourage insults and disparaging comments against anybody, especially if they’re related to gender or race.
Favorite piece of advice you have been given?
I think that my favorite piece of advice has been when my best friend since elementary school told me to “be yourself, and don’t let anybody put you down for doing what you love.” I loved the support that it gave me then and I live by this today, I don’t hold back from being myself because if someone meets me, I don’t want them to see a different person than I really am.
What do you hope the girls coming up behind you take from the work you are doing?
I hope that the girls coming up into the team take that girls can do anything that we want to no matter what others say, because that is what I took from the girls before me. Even the elementary girls that are just beginning to do robotics, they need to know that women around them will support and guide them.
Alyssa
Why are you participating in the FIRST robotics competition?
I participate in FIRST Robotics Competition because girls are needed in STEM. The earlier a girl can get involved, the better. I believe creating the interest in STEM as early as an elementary school student is vital. When you get students excited about STEM at an early age it’s easier to keep them excited about all the opportunities that can come from it.
What have you learned from being on a robotics team?
In robotics, I’ve not only learned how to use band saws, wire control systems, and operate CNC mills and lathes, but I also learned interpersonal skills and determination. I’ve learned that hard work really pays off. During build season when you spend countless days brainstorming, prototyping, and rebuilding your end goal can kind of be lost. But when you see your robot on the field driving perfectly, lifting field elements off the ground, and even lifting itself off the ground, it makes it all worth it. The satisfaction I feel from seeing my robot win a match is like no other. The skills I’ve learned from being in robotics will follow me forever.
What do you hope the girls coming up behind you take from the work you are doing?
I hope the girls coming up behind me take away from my work that they can do anything. As cliché as it sounds, having the mindset of believing you can do anything is the first step. I also hope they learn how important it is for them to be involved. I hope they take away how important it is for them to inspire other girls in STEM so that the cycle of girls empowering and inspiring other girls is continued.
How do you hope to impact the world through innovation?
I hope to impact the world through innovation by helping people with STEM. Whether that’s through creating technologies that help less fortunate groups of people or just making existing technologies better. I want to make a difference and leave this world better than how I found it.
Joan
I remember the first time I wandered into the robotics room in the hidden hallway of my school. I was there just to see some friends that I knew would be in there, but I was mistaken by one of the mentors as a recruit. Not wanting to speak up and say that I was indeed not there to join the team, I was immediately put to work on cutting an aluminum shaft on the lathe. Keep in mind at this point, the only power tool I had ever seen in person was a handheld drill and that I didn’t know the other uses of aluminum besides pop cans. I was scared and my hands were shaking, but once I was able to hold the finished piece, I realized that it had all been worth it.
The main reason for my initial fear was that I simply felt as though I did not belong. Standing at 5’2 and barely weighing over 100 lbs, I’m not exactly what most people imagine when thinking of successful engineers. My initial belief was that of the general population: I simply wasn’t made for this type of extracurricular. However I was shocked to see how no one else on my school’s team held the same opinion; from the moment I walked in, I was treated with respect even in times where I needed guidance. If it had not been for the encouragement of my peers, I’m not sure I would have had the confidence or belief in myself to pursue activities in STEM.
Over the years as I’ve gained experience with building and the collaborative design process, my confidence in my abilities has grown exponentially. Seeing the girls who initially inspired me to stick with robotics go to prestigious universities to further their education in STEM and being recognized both locally and nationally for their achievements has made me realize just how much they had altered the course of my life; having that type of positive representation in my life inspired me to see myself as someone just as capable.
My goal with robotics is to provide young girls within my community and possibly even beyond its reach with the image of someone like them succeeding in a field they may not feel has a place for them; I want to change how we as a society imagine “successful engineers”.
Look for Part 2 of the series coming next week.
Follow the upcoming FIRST Championships in Houston, TX (April 18–21, 2018) and Detroit, MI (April 25–28, 2018) on their website to see all of the action and cheer the girls on.
