Breaking Stereotypes of STEM

I became a lead of a program called “Women in Robotics Empowering Sisters.” (WIRES) A problem I have noticed  is that in any STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math) career fields, the number of women involved is less than 30%. I was extremely annoyed when I first heard that, because of how horrible that is, hearing that also increased my mission and determination to get more girls into STEM and FIRST Robotics by the time I graduate is to have on my team to an equal gender ratio of 50-50. This problem first sparked my mentor, who sparked me, which I have sparked a bunch of my friends who now all want to see the same happen, more girls inn STEM and Robotics. Last year, about 12% of the team was made up of  girls. . This year, 25% of the team was made up of of girls. We were able to increase the amount of girls by 13% in one year.

               How I am working on closing the gender ratio? I've worked to lead WIRES in doing demos, visit schools, convince our friends to join the team.  

WIRES is a support system for girls that participate in robotics. We tour and have women in STEM fields come and talk to us. A couple of the companies that we have visited is Ergotron, Monticello Nuclear training center, and the Nerdery.

               Last month the team travelled to St. Louis for the championships. While I was there I attended seminars on  how teams were able to get more girls to be interested in STEM careers. I experienced hand to guide and lead them with a fellow girl. The girls have the option of going on their learned that several teams all had you thing in common a support system. They consistently have an high school’s co-ed robotics or join the districts all girl team.

               I have found out that having a support system for girls will help them want to continue to participate in robotics. What ended up happening is The support system was the push I ended to stay in robotics because there was a network of girls, helping each other out, and we have got to know each other.


This blog was written by Maddie Elsenheimer of FRC Team 2220/ If you want to write a blog post for FIRST Ladies, sign up on the schedule.