Make: To Build a Better Team, Build a Better Robot - Kate Azar on Women in STEM

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

We have implemented rules that people who are dating each other serve on different sub-teams, and refrain from PDA during team time. If anyone has taken additional practical steps, please share!

Originally Posted by marshall

LOL... that is such an engineers way to deal with the problem. I love it!

Of course, if the inventor of the "Laws of Robotics" (Isaac Asimov) is correct, it wouldn't actually be of much help. The first conservation theorem that Hari Seldon's team was able to prove was referred to as "The Law of Conservation of Personal Problems":

Originally Posted by Yugo Amaryl, in Forward the Foundation

Never at any time was there a total decrease or, for that matter, a total increase in the friction within a closed group--that is, one in which no old members leave and no new members come in. What I proved, with the help of Elar's achaotic equations, was that this was true despite any conceivable action anyone could take. Hari calls it 'the law of conservation of personal problems.'

(On page 273 of the hardcover, page 300 of the Bantam Spectra paperback, or at this link)

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

I loved reading this. Kate is a great person, my team knows this first hand.

At our first ever competition (North Star 2013) we were fortunate enough to have our pit next to 2177 and Kate was a staple in their pit. Our Safety Captain and her quickly started up a dialogue that lasted throughout the event. Not only did she and her team offer great advice for us, they were instrumental in getting us ready for the regional.

Last year at the GoFIRST Splash training, one of my students lost his ticket for lunch. He was nearly in tears when it came time to hand over the ticket. She saw the frustration in his eyes and quickly stated (and logically presumed) "well, you are here, so obviously you paid". No questions, not necessarily a case of GP, just compassion.

Great article.

There's a reason she was a Dean's List Finalist. It's been a pleasure working with her over the past year-- I know very few people with her drive and work ethic. When our former Director of Programs had to leave midway through the year, she stepped up and helped make sure our programs ran smoothly for the rest of the year. She left a big set of shoes for me to fill taking over the position.