Tell us about yourself and how you are involved with FIRST?
Our names are Claire and Anna, and prior to entering our freshman year of high school we decided to start our robotics journey together. We started as part of Team 24194, The Titans, and have been involved in the First Tech Challenge for one year. This year we will be continuing our journey together on Team 5115 Nova.
Claire’s involvement with FIRST fluctuated between the mechanical side of things, and outreach. With the mechanical side, Claire focused on the linear aspect of the robot. This included finding slides and numerous belts until we found one we were happy with. Outreach wise she helped run Girl Scout workshops with Lego Spike Kits alongside Anna. Both Claire and Anna participated in countless outreach events in order to educate girls on opportunities within FIRST. Anna’s involvement with FIRST began with Claire by helping to build the slides used for our robot’s claw mechanism. During the season Anna became more interested in the portfolio and presentation side of the FTC, and she ended up taking the lead on the design and information of the portfolio.
How has FIRST helped you accomplish your goals?
FIRST has helped Anna to accomplish her goals of learning new things and becoming more confident in herself. Working with new people and new ideas has allowed her to expand her knowledge of robotics in both the hardware and software aspects. Judging presentations are what have allowed Anna to become more confident in what she says and does.
One goal Claire had was to step out of her comfort zone. At the start of the season Claire kept her small circle and did her own thing in the back corner. Speaking to new people was just something she did not want to take any interest in whatsoever. Now, she goes around and does scouting at competitions which was a hurdle at the start, but she did it. Through that, she has learned a wide variety of communication skills. Along with stepping out of her comfort zone regarding communication, judging presentations were mortifying for her. She would stand there and fidget. Now she can confidently explain her robot and its function.
Do you recall any special experiences or challenges?
One challenge we both faced was feeling like our opinions were not heard or valued. At the beginning of our rookie season we had trouble getting some of our team members to listen to us. It was a frustrating place to be because we didn’t feel like we were true members of the team. Throughout the season we shared our ideas and as the season progressed our team began to see the value in our ideas and opinions.
Why do you think FIRST is important for females?
FIRST was important for Claire because it helped her to find her voice. She was able to learn how to speak up when she had an idea. Typically she was known for hiding in the back, not saying anything, but through FIRST that changed.
For most of Anna’s younger years she knew she wanted to be in the STEM field when she grew up, but didn’t always think she was good enough. She thought she wasn’t strong enough, smart enough, or experienced enough to be a good engineer or scientist. As Anna got older, and got involved with FIRST, she learned that she is capable of being whatever she wants to be.
FIRST is important to females because it gives girls like Anna and Claire the chance to discover their strength and know their worth in an environment that encourages learning.
What are your goals for the future?
In the future Anna would like to continue participating in FTC for her last two years of high school. Following high school she wants to go to college to pursue a career in architecture and hopefully travel to see new places.
In the future, Claire would like to be someone who our own Windsor High School robotics teams look up to. She wants to be someone who inspires the next generation of Girls in STEAM! She is currently looking for duo degree programs with Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering. She would like to be a prosthetist, but is also open to other biomedical engineering fields.
What advice would you give to the younger generation of girls interested in STEAM fields?
A piece of advice Claire would give to the next generation is to speak up for yourself. If you have an opinion you need to speak up and be assertive, but also make it known that you want to be heard. Don’t let people stomp all over you. Speak up for yourself and your ideas, because THEY MATTER. Your idea that you wouldn’t think would work may spark an idea in a teammate’s head that you two can use to collaborate on. Also, never be afraid to learn. Anna learned when she started in FIRST that it was okay to have to ask for help because you don’t know something. You are never expected to know everything, so don’t act like you do. Learning is part of the process and will enable you to go on and do anything you set your mind to.
Do you have a woman you look up to/is your role model? If so, who is it and why?
The woman Anna looks up to is her mom because her mom pursued a career in the STEM field as a food scientist and later as a bedside nurse. She has inspired Anna to believe in herself and to put 100% of her effort into everything. Anna couldn’t have accomplished anything she has done before without the support and help of her mom.
The woman in Claire’s life that she looks up to is her mom as well. Her mom is a charge nurse and is in college right now to be a midwife. Though she may have little knowledge in the STEM field, she has always told Claire to voice her opinion respectfully. She has taught Claire that backing down just because of one boy who “ruined” robotics for you is not an option. Claire’s mom has always taught her to chase her hopes and dreams. That is a piece of knowledge that Claire was given, and one that she will never forget. She is a woman full of wisdom, which is why Claire looks up to her.
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