Tech girls kick global goals with Ford

A TECH-SAVVY team of female high school students designed, built and programmed a robot that took on the world this year, thanks to Ford Australia.

robocats

A TECH-SAVVY team of female high school students designed, built and programmed a robot that took on the world this year, thanks to Ford Australia.

The RoboCats team is made up of Victorian schoolgirls aged 14-18 who take part in the prestigious FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition with the backing of the car manufacturer. This year, the RoboCats’ ingenuity took them all the way to the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) world championship in Houston, Texas. The FRC is a global contest that pits students against one another in a challenge combining sports with science and technology. Under the mentorship of professional engineers, each team constructs an industrial-sized robot they control remotely in a complex field game against other teams’ robots. The competition has a high degree of difficulty and aims to advance the students’ engineering skills while giving them an opportunity to envision and get excited about a career in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) industries. At the FRC regional championship in Sydney this year, the RoboCats blitzed their male, female and co-ed opponents from Asia, Hawaii and Australia. The win earned them a place in the world championship held in Texas in April, where they competed against hundreds of other teams from around the world. RoboCats team member Michelle Fisher says while they didn’t win a place, the Houston championship was a life-changing experience and the team gained more than just a medal. “The atmosphere was amazing and the support from the other teams was unbelievable. They were competitive on the field but like family off the field, always lending a hand or helping solve a problem. “My perspective broadened from making a robot with my friends to meeting people from all over the world. I was communicating with people who didn’t speak English, which mainly consisted of exaggerated facial expressions, pointing and still talking in our own languages even though we couldn’t understand what each other was saying. “We learn at school to be global citizens, but it wasn’t until the competition that I felt really connected to the world. Now I have friends from Perth to America and Israel.” Ford, which has been sponsoring the team since 2015, took the RoboCats from high school prac rooms to the bright arena lights of Houston by providing financial support and mentors. Ford engineer and RoboCats mentor Louise Nance said being involved with the team is a rewarding experience for her as well as the students. “As a mentor, you see a little bit of your own reflection in the students – whether it be their hesitation to contribute, or an initial lack of confidence. It forces you to step beyond your insecurities for the benefit of others and give them the encouragement and resources to help them be their best.

“I’m proud of the RoboCats and how far they’ve come in just a few years. They’re a fantastic team who take charge, own their successes and are self-assured in their own abilities”.

As well as assisting high school students to create a future in STEAM industries, Ford supports tertiary students with a graduate program spanning industrial design, engineering, marketing sales and service, finance and accounting, and procurement. For more information, visit ford.com.au/about-ford/careers/graduate-program.

Originally published as Tech girls kick global goals with Ford