The Robettes

WHAT IS THE ROBETTES' HISTORY?
In 2007, the FIRST Robotics Team at Visitation began. We started in the garage of a student and were one of a handful of teams in Minnesota. During 6 weeks, with limited means and hard work, we built a competitive robot and traveled to St. Louis, MO for a FIRST Regional Competition. There, we garnered two awards, the Highest Seeded Rookie Award and the Rookie Inspiration Award. Six years later, with Visitation's Robettes helping to lead the way, our state numbers over 100 teams and hosts three regional tournaments, two at the U of M and one in Duluth, MN. The Robettes’ hard work last season paid off after we won the North Star Regional in Minneapolis and earned a spot at championships. Located in a new, larger, and better equipped build space in downtown St. Paul, the Robettes maintain a solid team of students, a strong corporate partnership with Boston Scientific and its professional mentors, and award winning performance at competitions.
Our three-month competition season has expanded to a year-round program. Veteran team members and mentors host a summer institute, providing interested students the opportunity to explore the mechanical, electrical, programming and business operations of the team. During the fall semester, we hone our skills during weekly sessions, preparing for the challenge of the upcoming season. In addition, enthusiasm for the STEM initiatives promoted by FIRST Robotics resulted in the addition of two new courses at Visitation: Computer Science and Intro to Engineering.

WHO ARE WE TODAY?
Foremost, The Robettes are a group of young women from Visitation School, passionately pursuing technology and engineering while striving to challenge ourselves, compete with integrity, and mentor others. We strive to increase student academic interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, while encouraging confidence in our unique abilities and leadership potential. Last season, our hard work paid off when we won the Minneapolis North Star Regional, earning us a spot at championships in St. Louis. Through outreach endeavors, such as demonstrations at the Minnesota Science Museum, the Minnesota State Fair, the Visitation STEM Day for Girls, and the mentoring of other teams, we hope to encourage other girls to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
FIRST Robotics has expanded our confidence and enthusiasm in science and math, causing us to rethink our paths and consider pursuing degrees in fields not typically sought by females. Therefore, following in the footsteps of Visitation's FIRST Robotics Alums - who pursue engineering, science and math degrees and often receive prestigious internships and scholarships - we look forward to applying the skills we have learned through FIRST during our college careers.

WHY DONATE?
A computer may eventually do any job that can be reduced to a set of specific tasks governed by specific rules. What we do in FIRST Robotics goes far beyond programmable skills; FIRST Robotics is creative, innovative and collaborative. We believe these are important skills for students in the 21st century. Your donation will help sustain this program now, and for future students at Visitation.