Brave Stories
March's Build Brave Girl
Britney, a senior in high school, joined the team this year to learn more about heavy machinery and gain a greater understanding of teamwork. Currently, she is a member of both the FTC Ecliptic team and the Columbus Space Program. On these teams, Britney oscillates between mechanical and electrical. Her favorite part of robotics is working on the various challenges and the robot during the build season.
February's Build Brave Girl
Arha, a freshman and a rookie, joined FTC Team Ecliptic this year. She is a programmer and a member of the media team. Moreover, Arha joined because she joined her experience will FLL and FTC in middle school. She wanted to continue being a part of FIRST and exploring different skill sets. Her favorite part of FIRST is getting the opportunity to meet and work with new people!
January's Build Brave Girl
Sidney, a junior who joined the team in 9th grade, is the Columbus Space Program's safety captain. Additionally, she is the mechanical lead and the design lead. Sidney joined the team to gain experience that will benefit her in pursuing a career in nanotechnology! Her favorite part of robotics is designing a new system for the first time.
December's Build Brave Girl
Maggie, a junior in high school, joined the team her freshman year to explore the possibility of a career field in robotics. Since then, she has discovered a love for both robotics and engineering. Maggie is now the team's pit chief and outreach spokeswomen. She says her favorite parts of robotics are the challenges and opportunities for growth created by the competition!
November's Brave Girl
Catherine T., a current senior at Columbus High School, joined the team last year. She joined because she wanted to enhance her skills in electrical engineering and public speaking. Catherine wanted to work with people who have similar interests and could help prepare her for a future career. She is currently a member of the team’s electrical, media, and Chairmen’s teams. Her favorite part of robotics is attending the competitions and meeting other teams.
October's Brave Girl
Jennifer T., a rookie and designer, joined this year as a senior. She joined because she thought robotics would be a fun, new experience. Jennifer is currently training to be a designer with FTC Team Ecliptic. Not only that, but she is using her new design skills on her architecture based senior project. She says her favorite moment is when she finally finds the solution to a problem.
September's Brave Girl
Mrs. Laura Richardson, an eight-year judge for FIRST, started mentoring the Columbus Space Program five years ago. She serves as the team's lead Media and Outreach mentor. She joined the team after she saw its potential at a 2015 competition. Mrs. Richardson recognized the team's ability to grow while also acknowledging that the team needed help learning to articulate its goals. Additionally, she joined the team to spend more time with her family. One of her favorite moments is when her daughter became a Dean's list finalist. She also takes great pride in CSP winning the Engineering Inspiration award.
August's Brave Girl
Michelle, a senior in high school, joined the team last year in hopes of discovering her passion. Thanks to FIRST and team 4188, she found her passion for STEM. Michelle is now the team's lead electrical member and loves being a part of FIRST. She says her favorite part about FIRST is going to competition where she is a part of the pit crew and meets lots of amazing people.
January's Brave Girl
Caitlin Patterson is a senior at Columbus High School and serves as FRC 4188's lead welder. Her bravery helps inspires other girls to be a part of the traditionally male welding team. Furthermore, she helps teach any FIRST student interested how to become a welder.
"Don't think you can't do something. All you have to do is learn how" - Amber Diehl
Amber, a junior in high school, is a brave girl who joined robotics team 4188 as a freshman because she wants a career in Mechanical Engineering. Since she has been surrounded by successful women, she learned that she can do anything she wants to.
First all-women team enters Aviano bomb-building competition – and wins
This all-women team, called the Bouncing Bettys, was the first to win the Rapid Aircraft Generation and Employment competition last week. The Bouncing Bettys dressed as Rosie the Riveter, the World War II icon. It was Merkel’s idea to put together a team of women to highlight the impact women have on sortie generation, the preparations that are performed for an aircraft’s combat flight.
