DANVILLE – Girls involved in the after-school VEX Robotics program at Danville Elementary School appear to be on their way to reversing trends cited in a recent Tufts University study.
That study – commissioned by The Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation and VEX Robotics – focused on why males outnumber females in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.
As reported by REC, “Data revealed that while females excel in collaborating with team members, they lack confidence in pursuing leadership roles on robotics teams.
“One implication, according to the study’s authors, is that female students have less experience with robotics engineering than boys by the time they enter high school.
“The authors suggest that females should be exposed to STEM activities as early as possible in their school years within a safe, comfortable space with female mentors.”
That’s exactly what’s happening at Danville. Within the eight VEX Robotics teams this year – six elementary and two middle school – 14 of the 34 participants are girls.
Even if some aren’t leaning directly toward STEM careers – at least not yet – the girls were united in agreeing that the robotics program has challenged their thinking and stimulated their ability to arrive at solutions individually and in a team environment.
“In general the robotics program is great for all students,” Superintendent Jason Snively said. “But it does open things up for the females to recognize that STEM is definitely something they may enjoy and excel at.
“What I like about the VEX competition is that it encourages teamwork and recognizes that all students have value in the STEM world.”
VEX Robotics sells a plastic construction system that allows students to build robots using robot brains, batteries, motors, sensors, wheels, gears, pulleys and other components. Students design and program their robots, changing gear ratios and making other adjustments.
If there’s a lack of confidence among the Danville girls it certainly did not show in a recent sit-down interview with fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders.
Fifth-grader Ella Uhler described how her team – The Danville Dream Team – worked hard to overcome a dismal robotics competition performance the previous year.
“I enjoy getting to build and design the robot to do what we want,” she said. “Last year our team was in a competition (at Elyria) with a lot of others and we finished dead last. Dead last! We were determined that wouldn’t happen again. We used our recesses and lunch times to work on our robot. This year we finished eighth (at Pickerington).”
Gifted intervention specialist Shelley Langdon, who serves as the elementary robotics coach, said the Dream Team “did really well this year.” The team also includes Claire Ashman, Violet Lyons, Fiona Bratton and Easton Looney.
The robotics teams demonstrate their skills during in-school competitions and in occasional events with other schools. However, registration for events that bring several schools together are expensive; Danville participated in only two this year before the state meet.
Seventh-graders Brooklyn Ashman and Maycee Samples shared their enthusiasm about participating in robotics.
“I am very, very interested in exploring careers that involve robotics,” Brooklyn said. “Last year we did simple things with robots. This year we have been relating robotics to real life.”
Maycee agreed.
“It’s really fun to build with people I know,” she said.”I live on a farm; robotics in agriculture is really cool.”
Their team, Danville Savage Joes, – coached by middle school science teacher Marie Mosher – included Jacob Byers, Evan Crider and Nick Mosher.
Sixth-grader Stella Brecheisen plans to continue in the robotics program next year. “I really liked the concept of coding the robot, getting it to do what we want,” she said.
Sixth-grader Riley Malone was a member of the state-champion Danville Potato Devils.
A few girls, like fifth-grader Claire Ashman, expressed interest in STEM-related careers. Claire said she might like to be an engineer, or possibly a chef.
Other very early career interests include:
Fourth-grader Isabelle Payne, anesthesiologist.
Fourth-grader Hayley Mizer, veterinarian or social worker.
Fourth-grader Karly Brewer, chiropractor.
Fifth-grader Carma Warwick, design or pro basketball
Fifth-grader Charlotte Meyer, chef or teacher
Fourth-grader Ali Lannoy, social worker
Who knows? Robotics may yet motivate more to STEM-related careers.
