My fascination with engineering has grown over the last five years from my involvement with First Lego League Robotics.  In 8th grade, I was the only girl in an “Introduction to Robotics” course at my school.  I impressed the teacher with my quick and efficient work to progress past the regular learning packets and pursued my own self designed project.  By the end of the trimester I had created a nearly functional (but over-sized) model of a robotic human hand made out of Legos and motors, along with a thorough explanation of my design and building process. 

 

    I continued my interest by joining an after school Lego robotics class.  By my freshman year in high school, the instructor of the course was able to find enough female students (from elementary to junior high years) to start a team.  The younger girls named the group “KungFu Robots” and I was dubbed ‘Manager’ by the team.  The long process included the design of a robot that completed multiple table-top Lego tasks, providing an explanation of our design to a panel of judges, and present a skit relating theme and use of robotic technology.  In only our first year as a team, we successfully passed regional level and made our way to the state competition.  I enjoyed this experience because of my chance to display leadership skills and to teach my younger teammates how to respect another and understand the importance of team work.

 

    After ninth grade being too old to continue in the First Lego League competitions, I have spent the last three years mentoring three different youth teams in the area.  Each year, the teams have successfully placed at some level of the competition (including presentation and team work awards).  I am thrilled to have such a great way to combine my love for engineering and help kids learn how to work together to build and design robots.