Girl Scouts of Eastern PA (GSEP) Robotics Patrol was born in the mind of a very eager Girl Scout. Erin decided to join her middle school robotics team. She went to a few meetings and discovered that there were no other girls on the team. The team was open to her joining but she didn’t feel like she fit in with the all boy team.She went to a competition and discovered an all-girl Girl Scout team. Erin was impressed how the girls worked together. She noted that the girls combined the core values of FIRST Lego League with the Girl Scout Law.
With the support of Erin’s parents and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, the GSEP Robotics Patrol was founded in 2010. The GSEP Robotics Patrol has expanded and now consists of 7 teams of girls from kindergarten through 12th grade. Their mascot is Rosie the Riveter and the girls draw inspiration from the image of a strong woman who can meet any challenge.
The Tin Mints team consists of dedicated girls from 9th through 12th grade from Eastern Pennsylvania who share an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Under the guidance of their mentors, they design, program and build a robot to compete in FIRST Robotics Competitions in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
We have expanded the program to include many all boys teams as the organization begins to transition to a community based team that includes boys and girls who are under served in the area. Girls are traditionally an under represented group in any STEM program so we will continue to grow the girls teams and will expand to include boys team and co-ed teams in under served local communities with the help of the Eastern Pennsylvania Robotics Alliance.