Quote:
Originally Posted by JaneYoung
This topic is not a topic that is cut and dried or black and white. I wish that it were and I wish that it would become so in my lifetime. At the rate we are moving, my lifetime will end and this will still be a topic of discussion that generates controversy.
Controversy can be very healthy and this is.
It's easy to be idealistic and say what's the big deal? Women have to work in the real world, they may as well get used to it by working on teams that include boys/men.
That's fine and dandy. Look at some of the winning teams' photos that are cropping up in CD and look at the team photos and mentor listings/descriptions on their websites. Where are the technical women mentors on the college level teams and the corporate level teams? Where are the majority of technical mentors that are women on these teams? See any?
Look around in the engineering and science classes in your high school and in your college courses and see how the numbers break down. I've talked with corporate leaders who are well aware of the lack of women in these fields and therefore, cannot hire them - because they don't exist.
How many girls actually go through the FRC program and decide on an engineering major? How many women that had their start in these robotics programs have gone on into fields of math, science, and engineering?
I welcome posts from the women who are scientists and engineers and who read CD. Share your thoughts.
Jane
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Hmm. But I don't think the FIRST program is so "do or die", for lack of a better term. The experience of being on a robotics team is life-changing no doubt; I'm female and have always wanted to become a scientist to some degree and FIRST gives me first-hand experience into the world of technology every day(: But I think the view of FIRST vigorously churning out generation after generation of young thoughtful students bounding into various STEM fields is... unrealistic and not exactly the ideal goal of the program. The real problem may be the inaccessibility & lack of appeal of engineering to youth around the country.
The problems really can't be blamed upon the lack of all girl teams/mentors/ general female involvement in the FIRST community nor can one force the collaboration of all these people in order to change mindsets of girls in general. So far, I think First does what it can and does it well! As sophomore in high school knowing my locknuts, bearings, transmissions, etc. definitely stands proof!
You bring up good points, Jane!
