CLAYTON – On June 8, 2022 nearly three dozen business and community leaders joined with local high school girls to join six female STEM professionals for a Women in STEM luncheon in downtown Clayton. The women represented careers in engineering, forensics, aviation, computer science and emergency services.
G-Force Robotics, the first all-girl FIRST Robotics Competition team in Johnston County hosted the event as part of outreach efforts to engage more young women in STEM education and careers. The rookie robotics team formed in April and is the 3rd all-girl team in the state out of 66+ competition teams. FIRST Robotics is the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit organization advancing STEM education. More than 70,000 students in grades K-12 compete in FIRST in more than 100 countries.
Two guest speakers were from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. Capt. Jennifer “Glock” Gillette and Capt. Nicole “Jinx” Wedge inspired the group with their career choices as an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and F-15E Weapons System Operator. Both studied science fields in college, but were called to military service through family connections. Gillette represents the less than one percent of female fighter pilots serving in today’s U.S. Armed Forces.
“I learned how her career changed so easily, but so differently. She was very inspirational, said Emma Jobe, a 9th grader on G-Force Robotics. Jobe, a five-sport athlete, thought it was incredible that Gillette played college soccer and continued to play at high levels for the U.S. Air Force while still serving as a fighter pilot. “I thought she was amazing and super cool.”
Caterpillar engineer Kendra Gregg was another speaker that left a big impression on a room full of young robot builders. Gregg, a design engineer for Caterpillar’s mini excavator talked to the group about how her designs are constantly changing based on the needs of the customer. She explained that customers come with different structural challenges and she has to figure out how to design the chassis to overcome those challenges.
“It is very similar to what we do in FIRST Robotics,” said Kaitlyn Nolte, a 10th grader and aspiring engineer. “Each year we get a new set of challenges and we have eight-weeks to build a robot from scratch to meet those specific goals and score points. It was great to hear that what we are doing relates directly to the real world. Kendra gave us some good insights.”
Clayton High School senior Krista Vera, who is interested in studying computer science, joined the robotics team and the luncheon to help her see what her future might be like. “I would recommend this to other girls because I think it is vital for any girl who is interested in STEM to meet these women who are in the workforce, learn what they are doing and ask questions to see if it might be a good fit for them too.”
What an inspiring group of young women. Many thanks to the STEM professionals for their stories and encouragement.
Articles should be clearer. STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – for those who don’t know.
Now pit em against the boys!
Brett,
There is another robotics high school team here in Johnston County — FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6004 f(x) Robotics.
Here is the website: http://frc6004.com
As you can see this team is comprised of boys and girls. This team also claims that “diversity is our strength”.
I’ve sent an email to the two teachers at the Smithfield-Selma High School who sponsor the team asking them how they pit the girls against the boys.
When I get their response back I will post their answers for you.
I’m all ears for the reply. Thanks!
“Since the teams are comprised of both boys and girls, we do not pit the boys against the girls (or vice versa).”