Team members pursuing related post-secondary studies continued from p.10 "About 85 to 87 per cent of the girls' teams graduate and go into STEM-related fields at university, which is a stunning statistic. What really helps them (at university) is having a support network of women and men who are aware and understanding of who they are as women in these fields, to further their learning," said Byers, noting one of St. Mildred's inaugural FIRST graduates is now an engineer. SWAT inspires STEM She said there are several ways in which SWAT 771 inspires girls to get involved in the STEM field. At the competitions, for example, the team will approach or be approached by visitors or members of other FIRST groups and will engage in conversation about their involvement and "speak to them as role models," Byers said. "They often see themselves in this field as being marginalized, particularly in the hard sciences. When you see young women who are passionate, who are 14 to 17, engaging with other girls and really focusing in on what their role can be to support STEM... (it's inspiring)," said Byers. Sarah Sils, SMLS teacher and FIRST robotics mentor, said SWAT 771 is involved in many outreach initiatives as part of its mission to help other "underrepresented groups" in STEM, including hearing- and visuallyimpaired teams. "We look, especially, to inspire girls and younger people. If we can do it, you can do it too. This is open to everyone. Be confident and reach out," said Sils. The robotics mentor noted many of the girls graduating from its team are choosing engineering and science programs at postsecondary schools. The idea for a robotics team came about in 2000, after two students -- whom SMLS calls its "two first FIRST girls" -- approached Byers to build an android, the Head of School said. SWAT 771 became the first all-girls team in Canada after being founded in 2002. The Oakville school has students participating at three levels of a 12-month robotics program -- Junior FIRST LEGO League (JFLL), FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and FRC. "It really is a beautiful continuum of learning and it has real-world applications, which is something we believe in passionately," said Byers. "It also gives the girls an opportunity to play with the sciences and math, no matter what level they're at, (and) create a structure out of LEGO or Duplo and program it." The building and programming of a robot has a six-week time limit, Byers said, noting the launch of every team's mechanical device occurs simultaneously at a global kickoff, which is broadcast live via a NASA feed from New Hampshire. SWAT 771 co-captain Amy Li, 16, joined the team a few years ago after volunteering at a charitable event the group hosted. As a leader, you need to have a "very wide spectrum" of knowledge, Li said, so that person can communicate with teammates on different sub teams. "It's really rewarding to see your efforts you put into (helping) the other girls pay off. You see them grow," said Li, a Grade 11 student. "Sils convinced me that I should probably give robotics a shot. I did and it's been a really enjoyable experience." Byers compared a robotics competition to a football game or any "massive sporting event" with a jumbotron, music and teams. She said the most exciting thing for her at the events is the predominance of the girls "in everything they do with the team." "People who are involved in FIRST robotics really give blood, sweat and tears. It has to be a passion because it is demanding, it's tough work, it's problem solving," said Byers. "It's working with students and getting to know them as they grapple with new learning and applying it." 11 | Friday, June 12, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 CREATE YOUR DREAM h t a B r o n e Kitch 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE | QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP | CUSTOM DESIGNS Call for a Free Estimate 905-844-3332 Visit our showroom: 333 Wyecroft Rd. Unit 3, Oakville www.aromakitchens.ca