At least that’s the mantra for the high school “all girl”  FIRST robotics team at Boise State University who affectionately call themselves  the “Chickadees”(http://coen.boisestate.edu/firstrobotics/). 
 
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition. Each year, teams of high school students, coaches, and mentors work during a six-week period to build game-playing robots that weigh up to 120 pounds (54 kg).  https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc .  
 
This years FIRST robotics competition game is entitled “Deep Space” (sponsored by Boeing Corporation) and the organization has been releasing tantalizing tease videos leading up to the great unveiling of this years challenge on January 5th.  The unveiling of the challenge will kick-off a frantic 6 week  design and build session for FIRST robotics teams around the world..  The Chickadees,  comprised of over 20 High School girls, have been methodically preparing for this kick-off by meeting twice per week since September at BSU.  In addition to morphing as a team through fund raising activities, the Chickadees are learning critical technical skills through mentor led workshops in mechanical, electrical, software and project management. 
 
The IEEE Boise section recently sponsored a workshop entitled “Circuits Challenge1” where each girl was given a kit of electronic components and instructions to build increasingly difficult circuits.  Several of the girls completed the entire challenge well under the 2 hour time period and then proceeded to graciously help others.  Gracious professionalism permeates the spirit of this fun loving team and a good model for us all.  For more information about  IEEE involvement and contribution to the Chickadees Robotics team please contact Mark Rau (208) 250-3290.