[thegnat05]

After being on a co-ed FIRST robotics team for 3 years I can definitely attest to the fact that it is a challenge to get girls interested in FIRST. My second year on my team I was the only girl, mentors included. Something unique to my situation though is that I never have felt alone or isolated on my team because of my gender. This year was my first year being a captain on the team and I have never felt disrespected or treated as less because of my gender. I wear makeup on a daily basis and I always have my nails painted and for the most part I see myself as a typical girl who is just really passionate about STEM and FIRST. I'm not really sure what to do to get more girls involved except to just continue to be accepting. I have always seen the Robettes (2177) as the coolest team at our regional competition because it excites me to see girls excel in this male dominated community. That being said most of the teams I have seen (at least in Minnesota) have a handful of girls on their team. I think the best way to get girls involved is to show them that FIRST isn’t only for boys and when they join a FIRST team not to treat them any different.