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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 12, 2015 | 10 SMLS using robotics to break down barriers for girls by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver The high school robotics team at Oakville's St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School (SMLS) is helping break down the barriers for female students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) careers. SWAT 771 (St. Mildred's Women Advancing Technology), an all-girls group of 50 Grades 8-12 students participating at the FIRST Robotic Competition (FRC) level, won the Engineering Inspiration Award at the World Championships (Curie-Carver Division) in St. Louis, Mo., in April -- a first for an all-girls team. The award recognizes outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering within a team's school and community. Head of School Dorothy Byers said SWAT 771 has become the most successful girls team because of its longevity, outreach and impact it's had locally, nationally and globally. "That really comes from the fact that they're the first girls team to have won an Engineering Inspiration Award at the World Championships. A dozen members of the 50-member St. Mildred's Lightbourn School's SWAT (St. Mildred's Women Advancing Technology) team are pictured with their winning Mildred XIV robot and medals from the recent world championships. Pictured, from left, in back, are: Gigi Chang, Ayra Kathuria, Ria Kalra, Amy Li, Caitlin Bridel, Marie Jolicoeur-Becotte, Vicky Wag and Maya Van de Mosselaer. Kneeling in front, with controllers and laptop, from left are: Michelle Dhar, Sasha Yeutseyeva, Erika Dhar and Kristen Ashworth. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) In the FIRST world, there are about 3,700 active teams," said Byers. "It gives you a really good understanding of how momentous the success truly is -- not only for us, but for Oakville, Canada and for women in STEM education." The World Championships prize wasn't the only accolade for the robotics team in April. At the Windsor Essex Great Lakes Regional, SWAT 771 garnered the Regional Chairman's Award, the most prestigious medal given out at a regional event, according to Byers. The girls' team also took home the Regional Engineering Inspiration Award and Entrepreneurship Award, while Emily Ambroise received the FIRST Dean's List Finalist Award, at the Greater Toronto Central Regional in March. The group qualified for the World Championships at both competitions. "The Engineering Inspiration (Award) speaks to what you're doing to inspire others to be involved in STEM subjects. What kind of outreach do you do? What is the impact of what you do as a team?" Byers asked. To advocate for girls in STEM careers, the SMLS Head of School recently made a presentation to the Standing Committee on the Status of Women in Ottawa. Byers noted there are 23 female robotics teams globally, of which 10 are in Canada including SWAT 771. see Team on p.11 ® Ultimate Drivers "Driver Training That Makes a Difference" SIGN uP ONLINe Program www.ultimatedrivers.ca Driver retraining Program For Reinstating Driver's License Defensive Driving Certificate Minimizes Road Test Time and Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount DrIVer eDuCATION PrOGrAm. 100 ON Our BeGINNer Summer SPeCIAL $ SAVe July 3rd, Complete refresher Program Prepares you for G2 or G License Helps Reviewing Your Driving Habits for Test Preparation and evaluation Warm Up Practice Before the Test Advance Defensive Driving Program refresher Program Minimizes Road Test Time, Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount and Teaches You Emergency Skills Winter Time Driving Helps overcome your Winter Time Driving Jitters 4 DAy CONDeNSeD COurSe llent Exce ices Serv ce Sin 1993 · June 27, 28, 29, 30 · July 2, 3, 4, 5 2 WeeKenDS June 6, 7 anD 13, 14 2380 Wyecroft Road Unit #3 Oakville Gift Certificates Available We Are Licensed by MTO 905-825-1172 Get the Best Price on your next New Car Hassle Free! Visit www.carcostcanada.com first. Canada's #1 resourCe for deaLer InVoICe PrICe rePorTs. You're invited to an Open House & Dock Party at (To book sail please - RSVP by June 15th email rctraining@bhyc.on.ca or phone 289-400-2492) Bronte Harbour Denis from Oakville saved over $3,500 with his CarCostCanada Dealer Invoice Price Report. Yacht Club Saturday, June 20th · 1200 - 1600 hrs Come and see all that we have to offer Get out on the water for a sail ­ youth/dinghy or adult/keel boat Hamburgers, hot dogs, light beverage compliments of BHYC Call us at 289-813-3200 special offer! oNlY $2.99 Bring your family, make new friends