PRINCETON -- Young girls at the YWCA Princeton are embracing the challenge to pursue science careers by making it fun as they compete in robotics events, like the recent "Steinert Slam."

The organization sponsors two all-girl robotics teams, Orange Power and Orange Alert, who recently qualified for regional and championship competitions.

The teams competed in the FIRST Lego League (FLL), for grades four through eight, where they researched a real-world problem and also in the LEGO Mindstorms, where they built and programmed a robot for competition.

YWCA board President Dr. Cheryl Rowe-Rendleman, who spearheaded the initiative three years ago said: "My expectation for the program was to create a positive exposure to young, potential scientists by showing them a path to an interesting range of careers. I want these girls to know that a career path in sciences should not be arduous, but should be fun!"

At the Steinert Slam, at Steinert High School in Hamilton, judges scored the Orange Power and Orange Alert robotics teams on core values, project, and robot design.

Orange Alert won first place for core values presentation, while Orange Power took second place for STEM Project Award, and earned a spot in this year's North NJ FLL Championship at Mt. Olive High School in Flanders, NJ, on Dec. 9.

The team did not place at the championships, but had an excellent showing, the YWCA said

YWCA Princeton sponsors a total of four all-girls teams for robotics competition. There are two teams in the FLL and another two teams in the FIRST Tech Challenge, which are for grades seven through 12.

"Programs such as FIRST LEGO League Robotics provide an understanding of how things work, develop problem-solving skills and promote hands-on learning, and more importantly makes it possible for kids to love science," said Rowe-Rendleman, a scientist herself.

"Women make up 47 percent of the overall workforce and constitute only about 27 percent of the science and engineering workforce. Fewer than one in 10 employed scientists and engineers are minority women," the YWCA's CEO Judy Hutton said.

"As part of our mission to empower women, we strongly believe the time has come to encourage young women and girls to pursue interests and careers in STEM," Hutton said.

More information about YWCA Princeton robotics is available by emailing robotics@ywcaprinceton.org.

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