News Summary
The Gadget Girls, an all-girls robotics team from West Valley Middle School, are hosting an event in downtown Knoxville on May 3 to promote STEM education. Aiming to inspire young women to explore careers in science and technology, they will showcase their robots and sell handmade items to fundraise for competitions. Statistics show that only 28% of STEM careers are held by women, and the team is determined to change this through their initiatives and mentorship programs.
Knoxville – A group of middle school girls known as the Gadget Girls hosted a notable event in downtown Knoxville aimed at promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and robotics. This all-girls robotics team, which has participated in coding competitions since 2021, is focused on encouraging other girls to become involved in robotics, a field that remains traditionally male-dominated.
The Gadget Girls, comprised of members from West Valley Middle School, emphasize that women represent only 28% of STEM careers, according to the American Association of University Women. The team aims to bridge the gap in high-demand fields, such as computer science and engineering, by inspiring young women to explore these areas.
At the upcoming event, scheduled for May 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Muse, the Gadget Girls plan to showcase their robots and share their enthusiasm for STEM. They will also sell stickers and handmade keychains as part of their fundraising efforts for an upcoming competition trip to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in June. This event follows their success in securing third place at the state competition.
Each member of the Gadget Girls has a personal connection to STEM; one member has been actively involved for six years, originally inspired by an elementary school technology class. The team engages in practice sessions that involve coding LEGO robots to complete specific missions, earning points in competitions like the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Level, which caters to participants aged 9-16.
The Gadget Girls function as a home-based team, meaning they operate without formal school sponsorship. All practices are held at the Anglin family home, providing a supportive environment for the young girls to collaborate, problem-solve, and iterate on their robotic designs as a team. Team member Caroline Anglin has highlighted their goal to recruit new members and spread awareness of STEM opportunities.
Adding valuable experience to the group, Kaia Nall, a high school sophomore, mentors the Gadget Girls. She emphasizes the importance of empowering younger girls in robotics and nurturing their interests in STEM fields. As part of their commitment to promote girls in STEM, the Gadget Girls are participants in the #FIRSTLikeAGirl Ambassador Program.
The Gadget Girls include seven dedicated members: Caroline Anglin, Aurora Cardoso, Avery Webb, Danielle Way, Katherine Kravitz, Makenzie Lewis, and Dhruthi Allu. Their shared passion for robotics and STEM fuels their work as they prepare for future competitions and aim to open doors for more girls interested in science and technology.
By hosting this event and competing in various competitions, the Gadget Girls are not just cultivating their own skills; they are forging a path for future generations of female engineers and tech enthusiasts. As they gear up to inspire others, the Gadget Girls exemplify the potential for women to thrive in STEM, contributing to an essential movement toward gender equality in these fields.
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: Knoxville Girls Robotics Team Shares Love of STEM
- Knox News: Gadget Girls is a Sisterhood
- WBIR Video: Gadget Girls Robotics Event
- Wikipedia: STEM
- Google Search: Gadget Girls robotics
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE 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.
