When I first encountered robotics, I was a high school freshman struggling to find a passion that truly resonated with me. I had always been curious and joined many extracurricular activities: guitar, piano, softball, karate, ballet, lacrosse, and more. While I enjoyed each of these activities, none of them really “stuck.” I continued to let my curiosity guide me, but I never imagined that this curiosity would lead to a life-changing journey.
In the fall of 2008, I started my journey as a Western Dove at Western Senior High School, the oldest public all-girls high school in the United States. This is where my robotics journey began. I applied and transferred to this school late in the summer, so I missed out on summer programming, and therefore the chance to meet classmates and learn more about the school. When classes started, it felt like everyone had already found their friend groups and knew what clubs and organizations they would be a part of. As a shy ninth grader, I quietly navigated the hallways, trying to figure out this new world of high school, until one day I heard an announcement that the Robotics Club would be having its first meeting.
I went home and told my mom about it. I asked, “What is a Robotics Club, and what do they do?” My mom said, “Go check it out! If it’s not for you, that’s ok. You tried it, and you don’t have to go again.” When that Tuesday meeting came, I took my mom’s advice and attended the meeting. Once they put a controller in my hand, I was hooked. Watching the robots in action, I was captivated by the creativity and complexity behind each machine. I knew then that I wanted to be a part of this world.
As a newbie to the team I took a role in helping build the robot, but I also wanted to be a part of the competition action, so I tried out to be a driver as well. That year, I became an official RoboDove. I became one of the team drivers for the leagues we competed in, VEX and FIRST Robotics. That year, we even qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas! We got to compete with the best teams from around the world, and we made it to the quarterfinals.
Despite facing elimination in the quarterfinals, the experience proved invaluable for our team. We gained critical insights into advanced engineering techniques and honed our problem-solving skills under pressure. This journey taught us the importance of teamwork and strategic planning, fortifying our resolve to innovate and excel in future competitions. Moreover, the connections we made with teams from around the globe enriched our understanding of diverse approaches to robotics, inspiring us to push the boundaries of our own creativity.
While I would love to say my enthusiasm fueled a smooth journey in the robotics world, my team and I did face obstacles we had to overcome. Even with one year under my belt, robotics seemed daunting, filled with unfamiliar jargon, intimidating tools and parts, and fierce competitors that have competed since Elementary/Middle school. Additionally, the stereotype of robotics being a "boy’s club" was intimidating. Being an inner-city all-girls team, we were met with criticism from fellow peers, who questioned our ability to design, build, program, compete (and do well!) with our robot. We faced accusations that our male mentor was the one to build our robot. To hear that we were not “up to par” with our male counterparts was very discouraging, but our determination, combined with the amount of supporters that rallied around us helped change that trajectory.
The “haters” only fueled our progress. During my sophomore year, I started programming for the team and qualified for the VEX World Championship in Orlando, Florida. In my junior year, I became Team Captain and qualified for the VEX World Championship in Anaheim, California. Finally, in my senior year, I competed in the VEX World Championship in Anaheim, California. During and after that final competition, I made sure to train up the next Team Captain who would take over after me. I did what I set out to do and more, but I could never have done it alone.
Mentorship played a crucial role in my journey. Not only did we have the wonderful support of parents (shoutout to my mom known as “RoboMom”), teachers, and other school staff, but my school also enlisted help. My high school robotics mentor, Ron Karpinski, a former engineer, took me under his wing. His guidance and encouragement were instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of robotics. To this day, I still hear his advice, “Start at the source, work your way through the problem.”
Through his mentorship, I also realized the importance of a supportive network. I entered high school with a career interest in the medical field. After getting involved in robotics and programming, I wanted to know how to incorporate this into my career options. When selecting my major, I asked my mentor for advice on what to choose. We spoke about how much I enjoyed programming the robot, and he said, “Everyone needs a programmer,” which turned out to be very true! In today's technology-driven world, nearly every industry, business, and individual relies on software and applications created by programmers. Ultimately, I attended Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, where I studied Software Engineering.
In the arena with iD Tech
After I graduated from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, I was looking for a summer job in tech. My mom shared a job post for a Robotics Instructor at iD Tech Camps at the University of Maryland. After the application and interview, I was lined up for an entire summer of teaching robotics, Minecraft, and coding. That summer at iD Tech was when I discovered that I also had a passion for STEM education and immensely enjoyed sharing my knowledge with the next generation.
Over the years I continued teaching robotics, coding, and game design with iD Tech as a Lead Instructor, Assistant Director, and Private Lessons Instructor. iD Tech’s immersive experience and supportive environment were pivotal in building my confidence and skills as a teacher and leader. As an instructor, I was thrilled to provide the same encouragement and support that I received to other young campers, hoping to inspire them as I had been inspired.
After my first summer, I told my mom that it would be a dream come true to work for iD Tech HQ, and I am proud to say that I have continued my track record of unlocking my dreams! I currently work at iD Tech HQ as the Strategic Alliances Program Manager, where I actively influence and play a part of our mission to provide life-changing tech experiences that embolden students to shape the future. In my day job, I foster partnerships and collaborations with organizations that align with iD Tech’s mission of providing life-changing tech experiences that inspire students to shape the future.
My experience in robotics helps me daily because it honed my problem-solving skills, fostered teamwork, and encouraged innovative thinking, all of which are essential for developing impactful partnerships and successfully executing STEM programs. The resilience I developed when driving and competing in an all-girls team continues to inspire me today, both in my day job and as a coach to a new upcoming all-girls robotics team.
Who run the robotics world? Girls!
When I look back on my early robotics experience, forming and being a part of an all-girls robotics team was crucial to my success. It created a safe space for experimentation and growth, free from the pressures and stereotypes prevalent in co-ed teams. This environment fostered confidence and encouraged my team to push boundaries without fear of judgment.
Girls often bring unique perspectives and creativity to problem-solving in robotics. Our team excelled in collaborative problem-solving, focusing on innovative solutions that sometimes went overlooked by traditional approaches. This diversity of thought was a key factor in our success. Additionally, peer support was a cornerstone of our all-girls team. We cheered each other on, celebrated successes, and learned from setbacks together. This camaraderie was empowering and built a strong confidence foundation extending beyond the robotics arena.
My high school self would be so proud that I now coach the iD Tech-sponsored all-girls robotics teams “Middle School with an Attitude” and “H.U.H.” (Have U Heard). I’m thrilled to help create another safe space for women in robotics, as it's vital for fostering innovation. The girls I coach are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them in a supportive atmosphere. This approach empowers these young women to explore their potential and develop their skills without fearing failure.
Our team worked hard to dismantle the stereotype that robotics is only for boys. By succeeding in competitions and demonstrating our capabilities, we showed that girls can excel in robotics! This helped pave the way for future generations to see robotics as an inclusive field. And my new teams, team “Middle School with an Attitude” and “H.U.H.” (Have U Heard) is doing it too! We just qualified for the Maryland VRC State Championship where we will compete with Maryland’s top teams for the chance to qualify for the World Championship in Dallas, Texas. I am so proud of them and cannot wait to see how these women will shape the world.
Robotics is redefining team sports
Robotics is more than just a technical pursuit—it's a team sport that fosters collaboration, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills, making it an invaluable educational tool. Whether you're building a robot or strategizing for a competition, the skills and camaraderie developed in a robotics team are unparalleled. Robotics competitions encourage students to work together to design, build, and program robots to accomplish specific tasks. This collaborative environment teaches participants the importance of diverse skill sets and perspectives, as each team member contributes unique strengths to the group's success. Moreover, robotics competitions simulate real-world engineering challenges, preparing students for future careers in STEM.
The need-to-know about joining a robotics team
People often ask me what it takes to join a robotics team. Robotics has grown so much, but it’s still relatively niche, and there are still stigmas associated with it. I’m here to help dissolve any trepidation. Joining a robotics team is an exciting and rewarding experience that’s open to kids of all ages and passions! First, kids need to be open to learning, ready to collaborate, and unafraid to tackle challenges. Robotics teams offer a unique blend of technical and social skills invaluable for personal and professional growth.
There is truly something for everyone on the team. Are you a hands-on person? Join the build team. Like to program? Great, our robot needs code to work. Like video games? Put those video game skills to the test by driving the robot in time-based tasks. Do you have an artistic side? There are many design aspects to robotics: sketching out the robot build, designing our team shirts, creating the team logo, and so much more!
Beyond the machines
Participation in robotics opened numerous doors for me academically and professionally. Colleges recognized the work I put in during high school, and it earned me a college interview with Harrisburg University. During the interview, I detailed my robotics experience, leadership, and technical skills I’d honed, and they awarded me the University Fellowship Award and Presidential scholarship, which covered a huge portion of my four-year college tuition!
Robotics also exposed me to career paths I had never considered before. I’ve worked as a software engineer in many different fields including website and app development and robotics process automation. And, as I previously mentioned, robotics opened my eyes to STEM education with iD Tech and the importance of early exposure to robotics.
And more importantly, robotics has made an impact on my life to this day. The problem-solving skills, technical understanding, and teamwork abilities I've gained translate into everyday situations, making me a more effective and efficient individual. Robotics has helped me become a better leader who understands the importance of communication, delegation, and strategic thinking.
Lastly, the most impactful part of being in robotics is being a part of a community. The robotics community is a vast network of like-minded individuals. Being part of this community allowed me to connect with mentors, peers, and industry professionals who have become lifelong friends and collaborators. There is no amount of words that could properly express my enthusiasm and gratitude for robotics, and I hope it will inspire the next generation as much as it has inspired me.