[dag0620]

Despite some slight grammar issues, I want to thank the OP for bringing up a topic that has actually been on my mind for a little while.

To anserw the question as to wether all Girls teams are counterproducive, I don't think so. The philosphy, or at least part, is to get youth involved with Science and Technology, and if there is a FIRST team, I'm sure these ideals are being met.

I understand completely the need to get more females involved both in FIRST and the various STEM fields used into today's world. All girls teams do a great job showcasing the need to get more female involved, both as students and mentors, and I commend them for that.

However beyond publicity and awareness, I fell that having an all girls, or all guys team for that matter, doesn't add to the program.

Part of FIRST is to try to lay the groundwork of working with others, a skill that will be needed in the workplace. I feel that if you want to get that right, teams that have both males and females is the way to go. I understand that this is not always the truth (I'm not trying to be stereotypical) but as a member in any workplace, usually working with a member of your own gender, and working with a member of another gender are going to be different.

What I'm trying to say is that I am 100% fine gender specific teams, or any team that have special criteria for that matter, but if you want to go above and beyond, having a great mix of people on your team will make the experience that much better.

I apologize in advance for any un-clarity in my thoughts - as I've said in the past I'm better with oral expression vs. written expression.