Are all girl FIRST team counterproductive to the philosophy of FIRST?

[JaneYoung]

This comment is going to bring a rain of criticism down on my head so I've opened my umbrella in advance.

Here goes - I have had the privilege of meeting mentors on teams for several years as I've traveled to different events. I've also met mentors here in Chief Delphi and read their profile information. Almost every single time, the NEMs that I've met that are engineers, think of themselves as a team mom and a lot of times, that is how they market themselves - as moms.

I'm not interested in being a mom. I do that job, hopefully very well - at home. I'm interested in being a nontechnical mentor. Sometimes, for the students, there isn't a difference. Sometimes, for the parent or the mentor, there isn't a difference. The fact is - there is a difference and it is important to get that out there to the team and to the program. Whether you are in a technical role on the team or serving as a NEM, you are bringing your training and skillsets to the talent toolbox that helps build the team. Don't hide the training/education or the effort it took to obtain the skillsets. By presenting yourself as an engineer who works as a NEM on a team or as a engineering mentor, you are inspiring your students and students on other teams. We've already witnessed this type of inspiration in this thread.

I think moms are great. On FRC teams, I think mentors are greater. It is all in the perception and reality. I'm not interested in helping grow girls into being moms. That's not my role as an FRC mentor. I'm interested in helping grow girls into realizing their dreams through education and their careers.

I am also thinking way beyond NSCCME (National Society of Conservative Caucasian Male Engineers) and into other cultures. I'm thinking globally and towards the future. In some of those cultures, I can see some very powerful lessons and opportunities for girls on teams, including all girls teams. If you've read the post by the girls on 842, you'll understand how cultural expectations impact the thinking and behaviors of girls. I'm interested in changing the impact of those expectations and helping to forge new realities and expectations.

It can start with a mentor calling herself an engineer or mentor instead of a mom when participating in CD, in FIRST programs, and in talking with people about your role on a team. Very small shift but very significant.

Jane