Why Girls Thrive In Robotics

  In July 2017, girls in robotics made headline news, twice:

1. An all-girls robotics team from Afghanistan received approval, after denial twice by the US government, to participate in the FIRST Global Challenge in Washington, D. C:

  July 2017. Girls of Team Afghanistan participating in the FIRST Global Challenge in Washington, D. C.  The team received international media attention that summer.

UPDATE  Mar. 2018. Members of the Pink Titans met the Afghan Dreamers, who formed FRC 7329 for the 2018 FRC season, at Ryerson University and York University.  Congratulations to the Afghan Dreamers who earned the Rookie All Star Award (Ont. Distr. York Univ. Event & Ont. District Championship) and Rookie Inspiration Award (FIRST Championship Detroit)!

2.  The Girl Scouts of America unveiled 23 new badges related STEM and robotics:

Badges for Programming, Designing, and Showcasing are available at Daisy, Brownie, and Junior levels of the Girl Scouts.  The Girl Scouts of Central Texas formed the  FIRST Robotics Team 2881 - The Lady Cans.  They were winners of the Chairman`s Award at the 2017 Lone Star Central Regional; congratulations!

  These stories promoted awareness of the issue that STEM-focused careers, especially engineering, are currently not gender inclusive with more males in these roles.  
  The Girl Scout Research Institute (2012, 2016) studied both girls who enjoy STEM and did not enjoy STEM.  The study showed the following:

• Girls are generally confident in their abilities and endeavours.  Nearly 97% plan on attending post-secondary school.  
• Girls and boys are equally competent in math and science.  74% of girls enjoy STEM-based learning!

  However, some factors have negative effects on these girls pursuing interests in science and math, such as engineering:

• Internalizing outdated stereotypes of inferiority to boys in math and science
• Subtle societal and cultural expectations discouraging girls from math and science
• Lack of confidence in own ability in math and science 

  The Pink Titans, based at David & Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute, can help girls to overcome some of these challenges.  The program can help by providing opportunities for girls to learn, practice, and master STEM-focused skills; essential for success in robotics and life: 

Collaboration
Girls want to pursue a career where

• they can help people (94% STEM, 83% non-STEM) 
• they can make a difference in the world (92% STEM, 82% non-STEM)
• they can have input on how the job is done (88% STEM, 82% non-STEM)
• they can think (87% STEM, 75% non-STEM)
• they can collaborate and work with others (81% STEM, 75% non-STEM) 

  FRC 5719 - Pink Titans provides growth opportunities for girls to learn with others.  There are many sub-teams with members fulfilling unique roles and responsibilities.  Successful completion of the culminating project can only happen when all members work well together.  With solid work-ethic and experiences gained, girls can feel more confident and capable to take initiatives, plus handle new challenges and obstacles.
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Creativity
Girls want to pursue a career where

• they can be creative (76% STEM, 82% non-STEM)
• they can work with their hands (71% STEM, 61% non-STEM)

  The Pink Titans  provides growth opportunities for girls to be innovative.  From working on the robot (in designing, making, programming) to promoting the team (marketing), new ideas are fostered, then made into realities.  Again, new ideas are fostered and made into realities in the continued effort to improve outcomes.

​Critical Thinking

• Girls like to understanding how things work (87% - STEM, 65% non-STEM)
• Girls like puzzles and solving problems (85% STEM, 70% non-STEM)
• Girls like hands-on activities (83% STEM, 56% non-STEM)
• Girls like to solve their own problems instead of being told the answer (71-76%)

  The Pink Titans provides growth opportunities for girls to ask questions and seek answers.  Very rarely does the plan, devised on paper, carry through perfectly!  Through the problem-solving process, tested ideas are reflected on for revisions until the desired outcome is achieved. 

​Communication

  The Pink Titans provides opportunities for girls to learn from adult mentors, many of who are experts in STEM-related fields.  Furthermore, 82-93% of girls feel valued by an adult mentor.  With continued encouragement from adult mentors, girls feel that careers in STEM-related fields can become possible and attainable. 

  The Pink Titans  is based at David & Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute.  For more information about the benefits of FIRST Robotics programs to your child, please feel free to contact Edmund [dot] Kim [at] tdsb [dot] on [dot] ca or PinkTitansCA [at] gmail [dot] com.