Robotics Family Nite 2023
Lt to Rt: Amelia, Nora, Rylee, Isabella, Virginia, Nicole, Abby
On May 9, 2023 a group of budding computer scientists gathered to celebrate the end of a nine-months long venture into the world of Lego robot building and computer programming. The girls ranging in age from 7-11, demonstrated their skills for a group of 40 including parents, siblings and Zonta members.
The girls were in teams as some liked to build and others program. Each team showed off their robot and programming. Shrieks of joy and applause trailed the robots as they scurried along elaborate maps on the floor, cut figure eights, and prodded barriers with their sensors. Parents were very surprised to learn that the girls did the builds and programming all by themselves. Looking thrilled, the Zonta sponsors took pride in showing the girls that computers were good for something besides games. Many parents commented that their daughters talked about their robots all the time. Shows Zonta is making a difference in their lives.
The evening was capped off by loads of pizza and cookies, hand-picked by the young participants. They also received gift cards from Zonta as well a NASA stickers from Zontian Dr. Colleen Marrese-Reading, who works as a rock engineer for JPL. As the youngsters drifted from the room, pledges could be heard, “I’ll be back next fall!”
Zonta and the Boys and Girls Club can’t hardly wait.
More phots and videos here
Robotics Holiday Party 2022
The Zonta Club of SCV held a Holiday Party for the Robotics girls on Dec 13. The girls were very excited and could not wait until the end of session to party. Each girl was given a holiday sock (one they can wear) with a Starbucks gift card inside. The excitement was overwhelming as each girl could grab any sock they wanted. Zonta provided cookies, brownies and cupcakes that all disappeared. Before leaving the girls gave each Zontian a handmade holiday card saying "THANKS".
This ended the sessions for 2022 but the program begins again on Jan 17, 2023. The girls will start where they left off, if they remember.
Girls' Robotics returns to Newhall Boys & Girls Club
The Zonta Club of SCV welcomed back Girls Robotics at the B&G Club in Newhall after a 21/2 year break due to the pandemic.
Abby Alverdiz, branch manager of the Newhall site, recruited 6 girls for the program including one returning "robotic pro" from 2020 when we had to shut down. She will be able to assist us with the new girls. Since the first session we have added 3 three more giving us 9 girls in the program, ranging in age from 8-11. Zonta members provide assistance, but the girls building and program their own robots.
As always, the girls are so excited about the program, they meet us at the front door with hugs.
Beginning with session two, the girls started building their Lego robots. They work at their own pace, with Zonta members there to assist. In just 4 weeks all the girls have finished building their robots and now are programming. Lego has changed the programming and we are all learning something new. Lots of fun
If you are interested is helping with this program, please contact us at robotics@scvzonta.org
Rylee, age 10, is pictured here with her robot. She was the first one to complete her build after just two sessions. With time left, she went to help others. Rylee received an achievement award for her progress.
Next she will learn to program her robot to move forward, back, turn and spin around. There are 7 lessons for them to complete, each one more challenging
Girls' Robotics
The Zonta Club has joined forces with the Boys and Girls Club and offers a Robotics Program for girls, ages 9 – 14. This program is designed to foster interest and skills in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. Participants learn to design, program and control fully-functional Lego Mindstorm Robots.
The girls use software to plan, test and modify sequences of instructions for a variety of life-like robotic behaviors. They learn to collect and analyze data from sensors, using data logging functionalities embedded in the software. Individual lesson plans cover the basics to more advanced so that girls can join the program during the school year and advance at their own pace.
Girls' Robotics visit Zonta meeting
Seven of the girls participating in the Robotics program from the Boys & Girls Club, attended the Zonta meeting on April 10. Each girl introduced themself and talked about robotics and their robot. Then they took the mic away from Robotics chair, Darleen Lyons, and lead the rest of the presentation. These girls are not shy, except fo one. They demonstrated different lessons programmed during the year. First up, Jaelyn, showed us a road map where she had to make many different types of turns, spins, a stop sign or two and sounds. Next up was a demo on the color sensor. Mia programmed her robot to stay inside the black line by using reflective light. Then she showed the Zonta members how her robot will follow a black line. Next was Shelbie and Ryder to demonstrate how to program. This turned into all the girls getting together to tell each other how to do it. The end result was a robot that went forward, turned around, backed up and turned again. All of the girls had a great time. At the end of the program, the shy girl, Genesis, took the mic to say that she used to be shy, but not any more. Broke all of our hearts. With a final thank you to all the Zontians for their support, back to the Boys & Girls Club.
Robotic Girls participate in Pinewood Derby
Pinewood Derby is always a favorite at the Boys & Girls Club in Newhall. Recently 13 girls and boys designed, painted and raced their cars. The picture shows the designs.
We had several of our robotics girls build their cars. There were two age groups and four of the six winners were girls. The two shown here were first place winners in their age group. Way to go!
Girls' Robotics Receives Grant
The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley was recently awarded a grant from Boston Scientific Foundation for the Girls' Robotics Program. We are very excited and humbled with this grant award. With the award we will be able to replace several of the robot bricks (brains), new batteries and assorted new sensors and motors. These pieces are over 10 years old and are having difficulties working with the new Lego Mindstorm software. With these additional new bricks we will be able to expand the program to more girls.
Thank you to Boston Scientific for this grant and believing in this program.
