GIRLS THRIVING IN BEACH CITIES ROBOTICS

Beach Cities Robotics Team 294 www.bcrobotics.org, through their competitions within the international program of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology www.usfirst.org), has been helping more and more girls explore nontraditional careers.

Beach Cities Robotics Team 294 www.bcrobotics.org, through their competitions within the international program of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology www.usfirst.org), has been helping more and more girls explore nontraditional careers.

"We had no clue just how much my daughter Angela Barron would thrive in the program. She worked at the machine shop on the robot, co-drove at all the competitions, and is now RUHS president of robotics. Her sister-in-law is amazed because she never imagined Angela doing something like this," says mom Cheryl Miller. Angelas 9th grade sister is in the program, It is way more than I thought it would be. At the meeting they talked about all this different kind of training that they would like to have and I want to participate in all of it," exclaimed Marygrace Barron. Marygrace was the youngest welder ever in the welding class at El Camino College. Their stepsister, ten year old Katie Rose Winslow, said, I want to do it some day!"

There are forty-three students on the team. Eight are girls. Seven girls are from RUHS.    There are fourteen RUHS male students. There are twenty-one MCHS male students and one female student, Sandra Forbes, who also happens to be on the MCHS Freshman Football Team.

MCHS Robotics President Greg Nelson says, On the issue of girls, there are not many girls involved in robotics period. We had two from MCHS and zero from Redondo in 2001, and one this past season from MCHS and only a few from Redondo. This 2003 season Im trying to twist some arms to get a few more to give it a shot, but the girls that I can get to come will not be willing to spend the time it takes to do robotics. Another reason that there are so few girls I believe is because of the field of activity. Without sounding sexist here...to be honest does robotics sound like the type of thing that girls would normally jump into? Unfortunately, for most of the girls I know, the answer to this is no. However, as with all rules there are exceptions. I just wish there were more. I think the girls can be just as talented as guys in this program but the problem is getting them to try. If you have any suggestions in this area, my ears are open."

Braidy Kirkman, Brandi Baker, and Jason Taylor are all former Team 294 members, now Adult Mentors. Braidy maintains, Girls make better welders. They have more patience." Brandi says of her robotics experience, When I was approached by a teacher to join the robotics team I was excited and apprehensive at the same time. I wanted to learn but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up with boys. I was welcomed into the group and treated with the respect of a team member. I only received positive responses for trying. As I continued to grow with the team I wanted to encourage more girls to venture out and join the team. I earned a college scholarship to pursue a degree in Engineering directly because of my involvement with the Beach Cities Robotics Team. Something I wouldn't have considered before my participation in the team."

Jason said about a 2001 female student, Being a rookie, Alicia didn't necessarily know the ropes as far as robotics was concerned. She did however know just about everything about tools and general mechanics. With her always helpful attitude and rock solid determination she became a vital asset to our build team. She constantly kept us on our toes and was always there when we needed something."

Former MCHS Robotics President Jasmeet Dhaliwal said, "Robotics showed me the fun side of Math and Science and inspired me to become an engineer."

Mira Costa High School student Greg Nelson and Redondo Union High School student Angela Barron are co-presidents for Beach Cities Robotics 2003 season. This program is unusual in that two rival schools combine to compete regionally and nationally together. Beach Cities Robotics is one of three west coast teams to have ever won a national championship in Orlando, Florida.

Can be emailed in 200 dpi...
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