News Summary
The Gadget Girls, an all-girls robotics team from Knoxville, has won third place at the Tennessee state championship, qualifying them for an international competition at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The team, founded by Catherine Anglin, consists of seven middle school students who have been building robots and coding missions since 2021. They promote STEM education and gender equality through their engagements. To support their trip, they will host a community outreach event, showcasing their work and fundraising.
Knoxville’s Gadget Girls Robotics Team Advances to International Competition After State Championship Success
The Gadget Girls, an all-girls robotics team based in Knoxville, Tennessee, has achieved a remarkable accomplishment by securing a third-place finish at the Tennessee state championship, qualifying them for an international competition in Massachusetts. This international event will take place at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in June and will see participation from teams across more than 30 countries.
Founded by attorney Catherine Anglin, a Georgia Tech graduate, the Gadget Girls is comprised of seven middle school students from West Valley Middle School. The team has been active since 2021 and operates as a home-based organization, regularly meeting at Anglin’s residence to build robots, code missions, and prepare for competitions.
Members of the Gadget Girls actively participate at the Challenge Level in the FIRST LEGO League, which is designed for students aged 9 to 16. Team members learn essential skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, coding, building, and public speaking as they collaborate to design and program robots to complete various tasks and missions that earn points during competitions.
Following the recent success at the state championship, the Gadget Girls are excited to represent their community on an international stage. They will also be hosting a community outreach event on May 3 at the Muse, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to showcase their robots and inspire others about the potential of STEM education. During this event, they will sell stickers and handmade key chains to help fundraise for their upcoming trip to Massachusetts.
Team members consist of Aurora Cardoso, Caroline Anglin, Avery Webb, Danielle Way, Katherine Kravitz, Makenzie Lewis, and Dhruthi Allu. They express their enthusiasm for the iterative process of problem-solving and teamwork, which is critical to their development in STEAM fields.
In addition to sparking interest in robotics, the Gadget Girls are also part of the #FIRSTLikeAGirl Ambassador Program, which aims to promote gender equality and encourage more girls to pursue opportunities in STEM. A local mentor, sophomore Kaia Nall, assists the team by providing inspiration and boosting confidence among the female participants in the program.
With the next season starting on August 5, the Gadget Girls will remain engaged in promoting robotics among young girls in the area. While they currently have a full roster, they are committed to supporting other families looking to start their own robotics teams.
This achievement highlights the importance of initiatives targeting the gender gap in STEM education, and the Gadget Girls continue to pave the way for future generations of female technicians, engineers, and innovators.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Gadget Girls Host STEM Event in Downtown Knoxville
Additional Resources
- WBIR News
- Wikipedia: Robotics
- Knox News
- Google Search: STEM education
- WBIR Video
- Google Scholar: Gender Gap in STEM
- WBIR Entertainment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: FIRST LEGO League
- Knox News Videos
- Google News: Robotics Team
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.