YWCA Princeton’s all-girls robotics earn spot in regional championships

PRINCETON, N.J. — Young girls at YWCA Princeton are embracing the challenge to pursue science careers by making it fun as they competed in robotics events and qualified for the championships at the “Steinert Slam” recently.

Two all-girls robotics teams, Orange Power and Orange Alert, from YWCA Princeton entered the qualifying events.

The teams competed in the FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL), grades 4-8, where they researched a real-world problem, and also in the LEGO® Mindstorms, where they built and programmed a robot for competition.

Board President, Dr. Cheryl Rowe-Rendleman, who spearheaded the initiative three years ago says, “My expectation for the program was to create a positive exposure to young, potential scientists by showing them a path to an interesting range of careers. I want these girls to know that a career path in sciences should not be arduous, but should be fun!”

At the event, judges scored Orange Power and Orange Alert robotics teams on core values, project, and robot design. Orange Alert won first place for core values presentation, while Orange Power took second place for STEM Project Award, and earned a spot in this year’s North NJ FLL Championship at Mt. Olive High School in Flanders, NJ.

YWCA Princeton sponsors a total of four all-girls teams for robotics competition. There are two teams in the FLL and another two teams in the FIRST® Tech Challenge, which are grades 7-12.

A scientist herself, Dr. Rowe-Rendleman further explains that, “programs such as FIRST® LEGO® League Robotics provide an understanding of how things work, develop problem-solving skills and promote hands-on learning, and more importantly makes it possible for kids to love science.”

Also, CEO of YWCA Princeton Judy Hutton explains that, “women make up 47 percent of the overall workforce and constitute only about 27 percent of the science and engineering workforce. Fewer than one in 10 employed scientists and engineers are minority women,” she says.

She adds, “As part of our mission to empower women, we strongly believe the time has come to encourage young women and girls to pursue interests and careers in STEM.”

To learn more about YWCA Princeton Robotics, please email them at robotics@ywcaprinceton.org.