Why is it that not many girls are into robotics?

[Meredith Novak]

I did notice that the Bees had 2 girl operators

[David Brinza]

As I recall, Falcons Robotics (Team 842) had an all-girls drive team at the San Diego Regional in 2007.

The next year, Team 842 won the Chairman's Award in Atlanta.

That says a lot about FIRST's commitment to breaking the gender barrier in science and technology.

[katd30]

I think it's really mostly society and how we were brought up. Girls I think place more emphasis on being normal and doing robotics or anything technological is very not normal for girls. We were brought up trying to be the prettiest and fit in with everyone else that by the time you get to high school all your nerdishness has been supressed to the point where you can't get it back. To me thats an important part of FLL and Jr. FLL and why I've been bothering my school superintendent to set one up. If we get an 8 year old involved FIRST before she looses her geek side we've got her for life most likely.

Also a girl doing FLL will know more about tools and technology than someone who hasn't. Which is why all the girls on my team seem to quit every year. The guys know more and act like we can't do everything they can when all we need to get is a little help or a demonstration. I'm not blaming the guys but when a girl wants to get into something like this, encourage her cause she's most likely giving up a lot for it and its something sher really wants to do.

Eep... Long post... We just had this discussion with the guys on our team...

[falconmaster]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

As I recall, Falcons Robotics (Team 842) had an all-girls drive team at the San Diego Regional in 2007.

The next year, Team 842 won the Chairman's Award in Atlanta.

That says a lot about FIRST's commitment to breaking the gender barrier in science and technology.

We have been taking data for two years and we are getting ready to write a report about our findings. We even had some other teams helping us take data this year at the Championships. Thanks you all!