I appreciate your insightful responses, and I understand that both of you are proponents of greater participation in robotics by women and minorities. However, I think you may be barking at the wrong tree here, and critizing a program that is actually helping the problem that you are advocating for.
This contest will be hosted by The Franklin Institute’s PACTS Program, which for nearly 20 years has been all about getting underrepresented populations into science. Roughly about 10 years ago, volunteer mentors with the program suggested starting a robotics program. That group, which still relies on volunteer support, started building robots made from LEGO pieces. After winning many awards in the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE, the team members expressed great interest in working with more advanced robotics, and stronger competitions, which led us to NERC. This was one of the only groups willing to come in, and really give our students a hands-on experience with building an advanced robot. Click on NERC’s “About Us” page on their website, and you’ll get the true mission of this group “ to make robotic combat accessible to all interested parties. NERC is a small, close-knit family of builders, whose membership spans from students to businessmen; from nurses to restaurant owners. All types of people are involved, with the age span going from competitors under 7 to folks that are "more seasoned”.
I’d like to specifically answer your questions about the museum’s promotion of violence, and about female participation in robotics. Even both of you readily admit that the robotic sciences are not female-friendly. The museum is aware that fact, and they are actively trying to change that. That’s why your group, and many others like yours received an invitation to the contest and technology fair. Although there will be a contest featuring robots made and operated by mostly men, we hope the visitors will be inspired by the inter-racial group of kids who have their own robot entered in the contest, and by the diverse group of presenters at the tech fair to see “Yes, Virginia, there’s really a place for you in robotics”.
Finally, as a life-long resident of Philadelphia who grew up inner city Philadelphia, and benefited from programs like PACTS, let me ask you to open your mind to alternate ways of reaching Philadelphia’s children. This contest may not be the perfect solution to getting every kid interested in science, but every week there are nearly 30 kids at the museum building robots down at the museum, with volunteers from NERC, and a female coaching leading them along the way. Yes, some kids may be turned off by violence, but there’s many more getting a hands-on education in robotics than were before the program existed. In fact, I know there’s even a waiting list to get into that program. Maybe you and your readers would be well served to evaluate the outcomes of non-traditional educational experiences like these, before presenting them as projects that do more harm than good. Hopefully, your outlook on this event will be changed when you see the quality, educational, and family-friendly event that the museum will present.
Laura and Doug, I appreciate
Laura and Doug,
I appreciate your insightful responses, and I understand that both of you are proponents of greater participation in robotics by women and minorities. However, I think you may be barking at the wrong tree here, and critizing a program that is actually helping the problem that you are advocating for.
This contest will be hosted by The Franklin Institute’s PACTS Program, which for nearly 20 years has been all about getting underrepresented populations into science. Roughly about 10 years ago, volunteer mentors with the program suggested starting a robotics program. That group, which still relies on volunteer support, started building robots made from LEGO pieces. After winning many awards in the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE, the team members expressed great interest in working with more advanced robotics, and stronger competitions, which led us to NERC. This was one of the only groups willing to come in, and really give our students a hands-on experience with building an advanced robot. Click on NERC’s “About Us” page on their website, and you’ll get the true mission of this group “ to make robotic combat accessible to all interested parties. NERC is a small, close-knit family of builders, whose membership spans from students to businessmen; from nurses to restaurant owners. All types of people are involved, with the age span going from competitors under 7 to folks that are "more seasoned”.
I’d like to specifically answer your questions about the museum’s promotion of violence, and about female participation in robotics. Even both of you readily admit that the robotic sciences are not female-friendly. The museum is aware that fact, and they are actively trying to change that. That’s why your group, and many others like yours received an invitation to the contest and technology fair. Although there will be a contest featuring robots made and operated by mostly men, we hope the visitors will be inspired by the inter-racial group of kids who have their own robot entered in the contest, and by the diverse group of presenters at the tech fair to see “Yes, Virginia, there’s really a place for you in robotics”.
Finally, as a life-long resident of Philadelphia who grew up inner city Philadelphia, and benefited from programs like PACTS, let me ask you to open your mind to alternate ways of reaching Philadelphia’s children. This contest may not be the perfect solution to getting every kid interested in science, but every week there are nearly 30 kids at the museum building robots down at the museum, with volunteers from NERC, and a female coaching leading them along the way. Yes, some kids may be turned off by violence, but there’s many more getting a hands-on education in robotics than were before the program existed. In fact, I know there’s even a waiting list to get into that program. Maybe you and your readers would be well served to evaluate the outcomes of non-traditional educational experiences like these, before presenting them as projects that do more harm than good. Hopefully, your outlook on this event will be changed when you see the quality, educational, and family-friendly event that the museum will present.