Girls robotics team hopes to increase interest in engineering

Move over, boys. The girls will take this one. In collaboration with Carnegie Mellon’s Field Robotics Center and PghTech Women Network, Girls of Steel is an all-girls robotics teams.

Made up of 25 girls, they range from grades 9 through 12 in different educational options. Girls of Steel is part of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), a national non-profit that strives to help young people discover and develop a passion for technology, science, math and engineering.

“There are a few all-girl FIRST teams, but we’re bringing that idea to Pittsburgh,” George Kantor, lead mentor for Girls of Steel, says. “FIRST generally is not a girl-specific activity, but there is plenty of room for girls to contribute.”

Kantor continues that the mission of the team is not just to make opportunities for girls, but to also inspire an interest in engineering. “I think it’s a tough sell, because culturally, engineering is not cool and we’re trying hard to make it cool,” he adds.

This mission seems to be working, however. Zhimi Ding, Girls of Steel member and a student at The Ellis School, says she now wants to major in engineering. Not to mention the sense of satisfaction that comes along with building robots. “I think the best part is helping me know something that I didn’t know about before,” Ding says. “When you make a robot or the design by yourself, you feel really happy and proud of yourself”

Girls of Steel participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition kick-off event earlier this month. The girls are now constructing their robot for the Pittsburgh regional competition this March.

Writer: Alex Audia

Sources: Dr. George Kantor, CMU  Zhimi Ding, Girls of Steel