ST. LOUIS • Thousands of goggle-wearing high school students have descended on the Edward Jones Dome this week for a competition that often leads to careers in engineering and technology — fields that have long been dominated by men.

Increasingly, the competitors are girls.

As the U.S. FIRST Competition marks its fourth year in St. Louis, the presence of girls on the world’s best robotics teams has noticeably gone up, offering hope to corporations wanting to recruit from a more diverse pool of programmers and engineers.

More than a dozen girls-only teams can be found throughout the Dome and America’s Center demonstrating their knowledge of programming and engineering. They have names such as Iron Plaid, Girls of Steel, SWAT and the Robettes.

And hundreds more girls on coed teams have leadership roles, such as Amber Terlouw, a junior at Westminster Christian Academy in Town and Country, in charge of electrical and pneumatic functions.

“I want to do everything,” Amber said of her involvement. “Give me all knowledge.”