[tiffany34990]

there is always going to be this problem. we try so hard to get other girls involved but it is up to them. you can push someone so much but it depends on them to be active and do something.. we started the RCU to help inspire girls to be in science, math and technology related fields but we support them in any direction they take while being in FIRST and in life...

some like me love to work on the machines and build the robot...others like Beth and Genia said like working on the paperwork, public relations things. it is up to the indivual.

but yes machining and engineering are not the same.
the issue with girls not knowing the tools is an issue i know, that's why my mother developed Girls Camp. It is a program just for girls to learn how to use the tools and some machines. There aren't any guys to be there as "pressure". i was the lead machinest for the past 2 years. my mentor actually told me at times he rather have some girls because of the fine details we pay attention to. girls and guys can do the same thing. the guys might be stronger for example but i always found a way to solve that problem w/ making sure things were tight on the machine. now i had to stand on a chair all the time when switching out the chucks on the Bridgeport back in S.P.A.M.'s pit but that's okay.

i sit in class everyday with not many girls because yes i'm studying engineering. mechanical engineering to be exact. my engineering chemistry lab has only 2 girls in there and the rest are 20 guys. the ratio is small. but the ratio is changing.

but i just have to say do what you want to do..if it's something related to engineering and working in the pit go for it. i know at times girls can be shy about it all. at first i will say was intimidate by all the guys but at the time S.P.A.M. was a very small team when i first started and the mentors were really nice and upperclassman and showed me things. last year i tried to get girls on our team to be on the machines they didn't want to..i didn't pressure them because i know at times pressuring becomes discouraging..they will learn when/if they want to.

each team will face this problem. how they overcome it is different. there will always be those people that think girls should be at home taking care of the kids. some families have the mom working and the dad at home. it's is the way our society is. things are changing slowly but it takes time. older generations still influence us a bit. it is also how we have grown up and what we are exposed to. as my old math teacher once said it's the sterotype...girls generally get dolls to play and the guys get truck and blocks. as a young child as studies shown these affect us...our motor skills, what we like and what we dislike... some have the insight to the way things works other just perhaps know what it looks like or not....

but all and all... girls can do anything...and so can guys. if guys want to be in fashion design and sew well by all means go for it...if a girl wants to build a car..go for it too...

everyone just do what you want to do and believe in yourself...good luck to everyone in life...

i hope more girls do end up in engineering and working in the pits but if they don't want to do that..it's all good to me...