Tell us about yourself and how you are involved with FIRST?
My name is Luiza Camargo and I am a FIRST Mentor and Alumni. I never saw myself in the world of robotics. Even though I spent my entire life studying at SESI and growing up surrounded by educational robotics — classes, projects, and activities connected to this universe — I never imagined myself in it. In class, I loved being the writer or the presenter, but I was certain that this place wasn’t for me. I’ve always been extremely communicative: telling stories, talking to people, presenting projects… that’s where I thrived. But for years, I turned down every opportunity to join the FLL selection process because I believed robotics was “just about robots.” Everything changed when I started high school and joined FRC Octopus #7567. I discovered that robotics, with FIRST, is also made of stories, of impact, of bridges that connect people and dreams. Through Outreach, I found my place — and realized that robotics had always been with me.
How has FIRST helped you accomplish your goals?
I don’t even remember who I was before FIRST. It feels like there was never a Luiza without it. FIRST has shaped me so much that today my life has the form of triangles, squares, and circles. The first goal FIRST helped me achieve was competing in the United States—something that always felt so far away. A dream that once seemed impossible became my first “impossible” dream that turned possible. FIRST helps me every single day: when I think about what I can do differently, when I have an innovative idea, when I transform the simple into something refined, or when I make the ordinary shine. When I look into the eyes of children and see the same love for robotics ignite in them that once reached me, I feel unstoppable. All of this pushes me to keep reaching for my dreams, every day.
Do you recall any special experiences or challenges?
At 18, I founded “Mackitos,” a robotics team at the school where I work, focused on elementary students. My love for this journey began during my seasons as a FRC competitor: I simply loved creating connections with the teams, discovering my own techniques, and, above all, nurturing a passion that has always overflowed from my heart—the love for teaching beginners. Awakening a love that many had never known. It was while working at the school that I realized, just like the rookie teams I mentored, there were so many children who had never even heard of robotics or truly understood what it is. That’s when I began carrying the legacy of “much more than robots” beyond the FIRST environment. Today, I’m studying Pedagogy to work in the field of robotics, I’ve become a mentor for my FRC team, and there’s nothing more fulfilling (I just love being Home) and I’m a Core Values Judge at FLL. I’m on a journey I know still has so much ahead. I’m here, reaching new positions and inspiring others, because one day I decided to start—despite being afraid.
Why do you think FIRST is important for females?
For many years, people said robotics was a place for men — and above all, a place where only math, physics, and science lived. The result? Thousands of people — mostly women — stepping away from that world. As girls, when we first look at robotics, it can feel distant. Everything seems either incredibly cool… or maybe incredibly boring (after all, not everyone is drawn to the “hard” sciences). And then, we discover FIRST. FIRST blends creativity, competition, passion, and engineering — but above all, it shatters something. It breaks the stereotype of traditional engineering and opens up a universe of possibilities. Me? I was the most unlikely candidate — a girl completely outside the “engineering mold.” And that’s exactly where FIRST stepped in. It gave me a place to stand and say: Being a woman in robotics means using what’s possible to make the impossible.
What are your goals for the future?
Brazil is gaining new ground in the STEAM fields. For a long time, people asked, “What good can come from there?” Well… here we are. I’m amazed by the growth of FIRST, especially in FRC, in Brazil. When I first started competing, there were no official FRC tournaments here—and now Brazil already hosts two regional FRC events to accommodate the growing number of teams. I want to continue being part of this change. I want to provide a strong foundation for new teams, because carrying on a legacy is hard, but starting one is even harder. I want to stay so active in this universe that one day I can become an FRC judge as well—because once you’re part of this world, trust me, you’ll never want to leave.
What advice would you give to the younger generation of girls interested in STEAM fields?
Don’t try to fit into a “STEAM” mold. Make this field not just a place where you “fit in”, but a space where you can rediscover yourself, innovate, and, most importantly, feel at home. Being part of this world won’t ask for a little of you. It will ask for everything. It won’t always be easy to be here, but that’s what makes it exciting. Challenges awaken the best in us. Out there, other girls are waiting for you to step into STEAM, and please, remember: going with fear is still going. Don’t waste your time.
Do you have a woman you look up to/is your role model? If so, who is it and why?
My mentor, Daniele Ortiz, is my biggest female role model within FIRST. Seeing her dedication, her effort, and — most importantly — watching a woman so close to me achieve such incredible heights in this field made me even more certain of where I want to go. When I first joined the team and saw her sharing her experiences, I thought that becoming someone like her would be an “almost impossible” mission. In Brazil, seeing a woman achieve so much in this field still feels rare, almost out of reach. But as the years passed, I began to realize: one day, it could be me. That’s why I’ve been walking this journey, one that I hope will lead me, in the future, to places like the ones Dani has conquered.
Do you know a student, alumnus, mentor, volunteer, or sponsor with a great story?
Click here to nominate your favorite #FIRSTLikeAGirl to tell her story!