Self-Growth In STEM-Focused Learning

  Over the years, the Pink Titans participated in many opportunities for growth and learning, provided kindly and willingly by the FIRST community and other STEM-focused organizations:
   On June 4, 2022, two members of the Pink Titans participated at FIRST Canada's Girls and Allies Youth Summit, at The Kingsbridge Centre in King City, Ontario.  Students from FIRST Robotics Competition teams from across Ontario participated.  The students met new peers, learned from mentors about achieving success and managing life's challenges, plus applied skills in communication and team work.  Thanks FIRST Canada and all the volunteers for the amazing opportunity!
  On June 8 & 9, 2019, Mr. Kim of the Pink Titans participated in the Girls In FIRST Weekend at Kingbridge Conference Centre in King City, Ontario.  Mr. Kim was one of the 10 "Male Allies and Champions" invited as a pilot project of FIRST Canada to participate in workshops promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion on FIRST teams and the workplace.  Among the inspirational speakers were Dr. Imogen Coe (above photo - her presentation on mentors, allies, sponsors, and champions), FIRST Canada Vice-President Kim Cooper, FIRST President Don Bossi, FIRST alumnus Elizabeth Moses, FIRST Canada President Mark Breadner, and Karthik Kanagasabapathy, former Lead Mentor of FIRST Hall Of Fame Team 1114 - Simbotics.  Thank you FIRST Canada, the Girls In STEM Councils, and the awesome volunteers for the opportunity!
  On Nov. 17, 2018, the Pink Titans attended the SWATposium conference by FRC 771 - SWAT at St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School in Oakville, Ontario.  Students listened to Karthik Kanagasabapathy, the opening speaker, as well as attended workshops on the FLL Into Orbit game (by Jeff Laucke, FLL Head Referee of Ontario), Kick-Off & Game Design analysis, mechanical building, electrical systems, gyroscopes, versaplanetary gear systems, sustaining FRC teams, and a workshop / panel discussion on equity, diversity, and inclusion in FIRST.  Thank you FRC 771 and the amazing volunteers for the opportunity to learn!
  On Oct. 27, 2018, girls of the Pink Titans participated at the Girls In STEM Olympics, implemented by FRC 1241 - Theory 6, at the Scotiabank Digital Factory in Toronto.  In teams of girls from a mix of FRC teams, the girls built a structure to withstand a simulated earthquake and solved a coding challenge.  All the girls listened to a panel of guest speakers who spoke about empowering more girls and women in STEM-focused careers.  There was also an opportunity to visit booths from local industries and post-secondary schools that promoted opportunities for girls to pursue their STEM-focused interests.  Thank you volunteers of FRC 1241 - Theory 6 and FIRST Canada for the opportunity to learn!
  On Sept. 29, 2018, the Pink Titans attended the 2056 Ways To Inspire Conference, hosted by FRC 2056 - OP Robotics, In Stoney Creek, Ontario.  Presentations attended topics of strategic robot design, programming, building a scouting app, sustaining a FRC team, Charman's award, and the 2018 FIRST Global Challenge in Mexico City.  Thank you FRC 2056 and the many amazing volunteer presenters for the opportunity to learn from you!
  On Nov. 4, 2017, the Pink Titans attended SWATposium, hosted by FRC 771 - SWAT, at St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School in Oakville, ON.  New students learned about the basics of programming and building a drive train, while returning students to the team were trained on the rules of the 2017-18 FLL game, HYDRO DYNAMICS.
  On Sept. 30, 2017, Asad and Mr. Kim of the Pink Titans attended the 2056 Ways To Inspire Conference by FRC 2056 - OP Robotics at Orchard Park Secondary School in Stoney Creek, Ontario.  Sessions attended included FRC essentials, effective FIRST strategies, strategic design, raising money, and programming a robot.  Thank you FRC 2056 and the awesome volunteers for the opportunity to learn!
  On May 27 and 28, 2017,  Amelia Singh, a Grade 9 member of FRC 5719 - Pink Titans, attended the Inaugural Girls In STEM Conference by FIRST Robotics Canada at the Kingbridge Conference Centre in King City, Ontario.  She and other girls listened to inspirational guest speakers.  As well, Amelia participated in team-building activities that fostered inspiration and confidence in pursuing dreams and goals.
On May 15, 2017, girls of the Pink Titans participated in the Girls In App-titude Workshop on coding at Centennial College - Morningside Campus.
  On Mar. 15, 2017, members of the Pink Titans practice driving at the Robodrome in Hamilton, Ontario.  Thank you FRC 4039 and FRC 5406 for your hospitality and support of FRC teams in Ontario!
  On Dec. 5, 2016, girls of the Pink Titans met and learned from young women studying different engineering fields, as well as Jackie Zeni, and Assistant Dean Marisa Sterling at Lassonde School of Engineering at Bergeron School of Engineering Excellence at York University.
  On Nov. 5, 2016, the Pink Titans attended workshops and FLL Referee Training at the SWATposium conference, hosted by FRC 771 SWAT at St. Mildred's-Lightborn School in Oakville, Ontario.
  On Dec. 12, 2015, the Pink Titans participated at the FIRST Entrepreneurship Experience, designed by the MaRS Discovery District and hosted by FRC 1325 - Inverse Paradox, in Oakville, Ontario.  Students learned about skills in fundraising, marketing, team branding, creating prototypes, plus generating and testing creative solutions.
  On Dec. 1, 2015, Grade 9 members of the Pink Titans completed the Cardboard Race Design and Build Challenge by Skills Ontario at Swansea Jr. and Sr. Public School.
The challenge was similar to one of a robotics competition in that students abiding to a set of strict rules to achieve a goal. Team members demonstrated key STEM-focused skills:
  • Critical-thinking in connecting what is known (goal, rules, time, resources, skills of literacy and math) what what needs to be known, then devising a plan to follow through.
  • Creativity in planning to achieve the goal within the parameters of the rules, time, and resources available.
  • Communication to each other, ensuring that roles (identification and accountability) tasks, progress, and all time-lines were understood.
  • Collaboration to ensure that time-lines were met by assessing individual progress, then delegating individuals to assist to attain short-term goals timely.
  On Oct. 31, 2015, the Pink Titans attended the SWATposium Conference, hosted by FRC 771 - SWAT at St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School in Oakville, Ontario.  Workshops attended included very useful information on mechanical systems, drive trains, writing business plans, sponsorships and finances, and tips for success for new teams.
  On Oct. 21 and 22, 2015, the Pink Titans volunteered at Fall Fiesta, an off-season event at Victoria Park Collegiate Institute, home of FRC 4917 - Panthers.  The students volunteered to set up the playing field, as well as reset the playing field in between matches.  The students found the experience of contributing to a FIRST event a very rewarding experience.