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

[Jon Stratis]

Lledargo - our team has mentored a few co-ed teams, most notably the Firebears from Roseville HS. In addition to providing any help their rookie year, we've coordinated with them on scouting and had them in to our build space when some of our equipment was useful for them. This year, we even shared a bus with them when heading up to the Lake Superior Regional.

In addition, it's important to keep in mind that most teams are, to some degree, excluding people. Every school team naturally excludes people who don't go to their school, denying any home-schooled children in their district a chance to participate. Likewise, the Robettes, coming from Convent of the Visitation HS (an all-girls catholic school), only accept students from their school. Their "brother school", St. Thomas, has a separate EV car team, but has thus far decided not to be involved in FIRST, preferring to focus on what is already offered.

The fact that the Robettes are an all girls team really doesn't affect how they interact with other teams (although we've seen cases where it affects how other teams interact with them, and not in a positive way). We work with other teams just like anyone else. We have great relations with many teams in the area. This past year, we presented at the annual Minnesota Splash event.