Coding for Cookies

Coding for Cookies is an initiative created to offer robotics and STEM education to Girl Scouts across the state. It started when our team hosted a local Girl Scout troop in our shop and taught them how to code FLL robots, drive FTC robots, and operate a FRC robot. Since then, this operation has grown to reach over 100 Girl Scouts. In order to expand this project further, Makayla Hoefs has made Coding for Cookies her official Girl Scout Gold Award.

During Coding for Cookies sessions, our team leads Girl Scouts through coding an FLL (FIRST LEGO League) robot, driving an FTC (FIRST  Tech Challenge) robot, and operating an FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) robot. We also thoroughly explain the processes of our team encourage Girl Scouts to join STEM programs near them. The girls we host get hands-on robotics experience, while also earning a Girl Scout badge 

Our team has created three robotics kits designed to be borrowed to other FRC teams and organizations. These kits contain the materials needed to host a Coding for Cookies session independently. The contents of the kits include:

• 1 FLL robot

• 2 FTC robots

• 2 controllers

• 2 FTC Driver's Hubs

• 1 Chromebook

• 1 FLL mat

• 10 cones (from 2023 FTC game)

• Coding for Cookies binder

• Chargers for all materials

If you are part of an FRC team and are interested in using one of our robotics kits, contact us at: codingforcookies4607@gmail.com

Step-By-Step Use of Robotics Kit

Coding for Cookies Binder: Badge Requirements

Coding for Cookies Presentation

Women receive less STEM education than men do, which is reflected by the global gender gap in STEM careers. According to the evaluations of 146 nations, 29.2% of the STEM workforce is comprised of women ("Global STEM Workforce"). Not every country has this low of a female representation in the STEM workplace, however, all countries have a majority of male employees for STEM careers. Currently, Iceland has the highest percentage of women in STEM careers, with its STEM workforce being composed of 45% women ("Global STEM Workforce"). This unfortunate percentage of female representation in the STEM field can be improved by increasing the amount of opportunities given to young women for learning about STEM concepts.

Studies have shown that the gender gap in the STEM workforce is not due to women's lack of confidence compared to men, which is a popular misconception (Ananthram et al.). There aren't as many women in STEM careers because young girls aren't taught about STEM concepts and aren't shown that there are opportunities for them in STEM ("The Gender Gap in STEM"). In most education systems, girls aren't given as many opportunities to learn about STEM as boys are. The lack of STEM education overall is partly due to the communities' lack of resources, since STEM programming often requires additional technology and materials (Wood). From my perspective and personal experience, girls are not introduced or encouraged to participate in STEM programs as much as boys are, which fuels the stereotype of STEM activities only being for boys.