In Temecula, a group of young girls are on their way toward becoming engineers, scientists and astronauts – thanks, in part, to Legos.
The group, an all-black girls robotics team called the Robogirls, for the past six months has been preparing for a kids’ robotics exposition Sunday, Feb. 26, at Legoland in Carlsbad.
“All of the girls are passionate LEGO experts,” said Patricia Justice — a former engineer and professor who founded the nonprofit group behind the Robogirls team. “They have been building models since they could walk and talk…their critical thinking and imagination skills for the season have been phenomenal.”
In the expo, teams of kids ages 6 to 10 are challenged to identify, design, and solve real-world problems with a simple Lego robot.
The 2016-2017 season’s theme, “Creature Craze,” will invite students to use basic engineering concepts to build a motorized LEGO robot animal.
The Robogirls’ designs include a chameleon lizard and a honeybee, which the seven girls designed themselves.
The Temecula team stems from the nonprofit organization GOSTEAM4GIRLS, which was founded in 2009 and aims to show young girls that their interest in STEAM topics (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) are not only useful in the real world, but can be turned into successful careers.
The organization’s primary focus is historically underrepresented groups — defined as African-American, Latino and Native-American populations.
“We are advocates for leveling the educational playing field for girls of color, especially for those in STEAM, where there is a lack of opportunities,” Justice said, adding: “(Our group) was created by passionate STEAM advocates for inspiring, mentoring, and enabling young girls’ visions to see beyond girly stereotypes of Barbie, to prepare them to become 21st century innovators, engineers, scientists, astronauts, and beyond.”
With its commitment to equal education and bridging the gender gap for all girls in STEAM, the group caters to a diverse range of girls from pre-K through high school, including students with special needs, and those on the autism spectrum disorder.
In 2016, Justice and attorney friend Beatrice Heveran recruited seven African-American girls between ages 6 and 10 who are passionate about STEAM to join the first Robogirls team in Temecula.
This year, the team comprises Delilla Bea, Janevah Dorestin, Jaylen Foote, Morgan Foote, Maleena Rayford, Mauriana Rayford, and Heaven White
Parents seem to be appreciative of the Robogirls.
“From the get-go, Janevah says she has always wanted to be a doctor. Math and science have always been strong subjects for her,” said Junise Dorestin, parent of 10-year-old Janevah, a Robogirl and 5th grader at Temecula Preparatory School.
“Being with the Robogirls has been a great learning experience for her (Janevah) – she’s always excited to go to the meetings, building things, and the number one part of it is being able to meet new friends,” Dorestin added. “It’s a blessing in disguise for her to participate, especially starting very young
Justice’s organization also offers a variety of science-themed programs for girls, including a “style engineering” boot camp (weaving STEAM learning with fashion design), drones and robots workshops; and after-school/weekend environmental, archaeological, forensics labs, coding and science classes.
“Girls may see math and science as difficult subjects,” Justice said. “We strive to change this mindset, by taking the natural strengths and interests that girls possess, and integrate them through STEM and art.
“Young children are avid investigators, eager to explore and invent,” she continued, ” … their own natural curiosity leads them towards STEM inquiries.”
For more information about GOSTEAM4GIRLS in Temecula Valley, and to support the program, please visit www.gosteam4girls.com