A day of robotics just for girls

Molly McNamara, left, and Avery Waffen, both students at Bay Middle School, recently enjoyed Magnifibot 2.0, a day of robotics just for girls, at Magnificat High School.

A recent robotics event at Magnificat High School on Sept. 21 proved that LEGOs and robots aren’t just for boys anymore! 

About 75 girls in grades 5-8 from public and private schools throughout Northeast Ohio came together for Magnifibot 2.0, a LEGO Robotics Day just for girls put on by Magnificat High School and Great Lakes Science Center. This is the second year that the two institutions have partnered for this event.

Working in groups of two or three, the girls assembled a NXT-powered LEGO robot, and then programmed the robots’ motion and speed to complete an obstacle course. The day’s events allowed teammates to work collaboratively to put their problem-solving skills to the test.

Magnificat’s Science Department Chairperson Mrs. Lori Koss said one of the best things about the event is the energy of the girls. She hopes that the message the attendees receive is “you can do anything and that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers are wide open for women.”

Mr. Ian Roberts, director of youth and family engagement at Great Lakes Science Center, said that events like this help foster interest in science and math, especially for girls who are on the cusp of attending high school, where curricula usher in a broader range of subjects and social pressures escalate.

Magnificat High School teachers and students were on hand to guide the teams throughout the day’s 23 steps.