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Robots, Engineering, and Me – A Young Woman’s Perspective | Kiran Loewenstein | TEDxOshkosh


my freshman year on wave robotics we

my freshman year on wave robotics we were packing up our robot for

were packing up our robot for

were packing up our robot for competition a mentor John said to me do

competition a mentor John said to me do

competition a mentor John said to me do you do this because your dad wants you

you do this because your dad wants you

you do this because your dad wants you to be like a boy the answer is of course

to be like a boy the answer is of course

to be like a boy the answer is of course not I have a little brother who does

not I have a little brother who does

not I have a little brother who does theater and musicals and whatever else

theater and musicals and whatever else

theater and musicals and whatever else he’s actually in one right now my

he’s actually in one right now my

he’s actually in one right now my parents and renters are incredibly

parents and renters are incredibly

parents and renters are incredibly supportive of what I do at wave but I

supportive of what I do at wave but I

supportive of what I do at wave but I guess that’s the point to begin with no

guess that’s the point to begin with no

guess that’s the point to begin with no one’s going to ask you if you’re doing

one’s going to ask you if you’re doing

one’s going to ask you if you’re doing robotics because your mom wants you to

robotics because your mom wants you to

robotics because your mom wants you to be like a girl and very few people are

be like a girl and very few people are

be like a girl and very few people are gonna see a little girl and think yeah

gonna see a little girl and think yeah

gonna see a little girl and think yeah she looks like an engineer so my

she looks like an engineer so my

she looks like an engineer so my freshman year which which was only two

freshman year which which was only two

freshman year which which was only two years ago I signed up for all the

years ago I signed up for all the

years ago I signed up for all the activities that my friends did starting

activities that my friends did starting

activities that my friends did starting with Orchestra I played the viola and if

with Orchestra I played the viola and if

with Orchestra I played the viola and if you don’t know what that is google it I

you don’t know what that is google it I

you don’t know what that is google it I also dabbled in the Arts I tried out

also dabbled in the Arts I tried out

also dabbled in the Arts I tried out drawing took an art class my freshman

drawing took an art class my freshman

drawing took an art class my freshman year I even learned a little bit of

year I even learned a little bit of

year I even learned a little bit of guitar and I played piano and I did

guitar and I played piano and I did

guitar and I played piano and I did forensics which is a sort of a speaking

forensics which is a sort of a speaking

forensics which is a sort of a speaking competition a little bit easier than

competition a little bit easier than

competition a little bit easier than what I’m doing right now I would never

what I’m doing right now I would never

what I’m doing right now I would never have described myself as girly and I

have described myself as girly and I

have described myself as girly and I still won’t

still won’t

still won’t despite the eye makeup that I’m sporting

despite the eye makeup that I’m sporting

despite the eye makeup that I’m sporting right now I was just a kid who didn’t

right now I was just a kid who didn’t

right now I was just a kid who didn’t know what I wanted to do and I was just

know what I wanted to do and I was just

know what I wanted to do and I was just a girl who hadn’t been forced into

a girl who hadn’t been forced into

a girl who hadn’t been forced into engineering opportunities then one day a

engineering opportunities then one day a

engineering opportunities then one day a kid in my biology class would not shut

kid in my biology class would not shut

kid in my biology class would not shut up about Wave robotics every single day

up about Wave robotics every single day

up about Wave robotics every single day he’d go I need somebody to join

he’d go I need somebody to join

he’d go I need somebody to join programming I don’t want to be the only

programming I don’t want to be the only

programming I don’t want to be the only programmer next year I need somebody to

programmer next year I need somebody to

programmer next year I need somebody to join way with me now I knew that wave

join way with me now I knew that wave

join way with me now I knew that wave was a sh kosh’s high school FIRST

was a sh kosh’s high school FIRST

was a sh kosh’s high school FIRST Robotics program but I decided to join

Robotics program but I decided to join

Robotics program but I decided to join just to learn more little did I know

just to learn more little did I know

just to learn more little did I know that this would be a turning point for

that this would be a turning point for

that this would be a turning point for myself and our community

myself and our community

myself and our community robots engineering and me change can be

robots engineering and me change can be

robots engineering and me change can be initiated by commitment

initiated by commitment

initiated by commitment from a single person and looking back

from a single person and looking back

from a single person and looking back into history we can see that it is true

into history we can see that it is true

into history we can see that it is true from the iconic rosie the riveter as men

from the iconic rosie the riveter as men

from the iconic rosie the riveter as men were pulled away to fight during World

were pulled away to fight during World

were pulled away to fight during World War two women stepped up into new

War two women stepped up into new

War two women stepped up into new industrial jobs while this had happened

industrial jobs while this had happened

industrial jobs while this had happened on a much smaller scale during World War

on a much smaller scale during World War

on a much smaller scale during World War one this was the first time that women

one this was the first time that women

one this was the first time that women were really stepping up into these roles

were really stepping up into these roles

were really stepping up into these roles and it definitely showed by 1945 the

and it definitely showed by 1945 the

and it definitely showed by 1945 the workforce was nearly 37 percent female

workforce was nearly 37 percent female

workforce was nearly 37 percent female but that’s not the most drastic change

but that’s not the most drastic change

but that’s not the most drastic change in the aviation industry prior to World

in the aviation industry prior to World

in the aviation industry prior to World War one women made up with less than 1%

War one women made up with less than 1%

War one women made up with less than 1% but by 1943 they made up nearly 65

but by 1943 they made up nearly 65

but by 1943 they made up nearly 65 percent but this wasn’t because aunt

percent but this wasn’t because aunt

percent but this wasn’t because aunt Bess D was like I want to work in

Bess D was like I want to work in

Bess D was like I want to work in aviation today rather it was due to an

aviation today rather it was due to an

aviation today rather it was due to an intense courtship of women by employers

intense courtship of women by employers

intense courtship of women by employers in government which created that change

in government which created that change

in government which created that change magazines would write slogans and

magazines would write slogans and

magazines would write slogans and articles to entice women into the

articles to entice women into the

articles to entice women into the workforce and this is important to my

workforce and this is important to my

workforce and this is important to my speech because it proves that the

speech because it proves that the

speech because it proves that the demographic of a field can be changed

demographic of a field can be changed

demographic of a field can be changed whether by positive propaganda or a

whether by positive propaganda or a

whether by positive propaganda or a change in the tide along with Rosie the

change in the tide along with Rosie the

change in the tide along with Rosie the Riveter there are countless other women

Riveter there are countless other women

Riveter there are countless other women who have been hidden by the curtains of

who have been hidden by the curtains of

who have been hidden by the curtains of time and others who peek through

time and others who peek through

time and others who peek through among their ranks are two-time Nobel

among their ranks are two-time Nobel

among their ranks are two-time Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie

Prize winner Marie Curie

Prize winner Marie Curie first American woman in space Sally Ride

first American woman in space Sally Ride

first American woman in space Sally Ride and one you may not have heard of

and one you may not have heard of

and one you may not have heard of legendary test pilot

legendary test pilot

legendary test pilot Jerry Cobb these women’s stories are

Jerry Cobb these women’s stories are

Jerry Cobb these women’s stories are inspiring and cannot be washed away but

inspiring and cannot be washed away but

inspiring and cannot be washed away but I only have 14 minutes left so I can’t

I only have 14 minutes left so I can’t

I only have 14 minutes left so I can’t go into all their stories so we’ll focus

go into all their stories so we’ll focus

go into all their stories so we’ll focus on one more woman Margaret Hamilton she

on one more woman Margaret Hamilton she

on one more woman Margaret Hamilton she is incredible and she should have a

is incredible and she should have a

is incredible and she should have a musical about her

she was a business owner a mother of two

she was a business owner a mother of two children and a engineer and she got a

children and a engineer and she got a

children and a engineer and she got a job working at Harvard to support her

job working at Harvard to support her

job working at Harvard to support her husband up sorry she got a job working

husband up sorry she got a job working

husband up sorry she got a job working at MIT to support her husband as he went

at MIT to support her husband as he went

at MIT to support her husband as he went through Harvard Law which is pretty

through Harvard Law which is pretty

through Harvard Law which is pretty incredible because I would love to go to

incredible because I would love to go to

incredible because I would love to go to MIT much less work as a programmer there

MIT much less work as a programmer there

MIT much less work as a programmer there at MIT

at MIT

at MIT she was specifically responsible for

she was specifically responsible for

she was specifically responsible for code for the Apollo command modules and

code for the Apollo command modules and

code for the Apollo command modules and she worked on the actual onboard flight

she worked on the actual onboard flight

she worked on the actual onboard flight software so she’s helped land men on the

software so she’s helped land men on the

software so she’s helped land men on the moon constantly inventing and

moon constantly inventing and

moon constantly inventing and reinventing the ideas that are now the

reinventing the ideas that are now the

reinventing the ideas that are now the cores of computer programming while she

cores of computer programming while she

cores of computer programming while she helped land the man on the moon she also

helped land the man on the moon she also

helped land the man on the moon she also helps save them during Apollo 8 when Jim

helps save them during Apollo 8 when Jim

helps save them during Apollo 8 when Jim Lovell accidentally called a launch

Lovell accidentally called a launch

Lovell accidentally called a launch command while in the middle of flight

command while in the middle of flight

command while in the middle of flight Hamilton helped save the day they there

Hamilton helped save the day they there

Hamilton helped save the day they there to buy reuploading navigational data and

to buy reuploading navigational data and

to buy reuploading navigational data and the thrust of flight went without strife

the thrust of flight went without strife

the thrust of flight went without strife Hamilton was a pioneer both in her life

Hamilton was a pioneer both in her life

Hamilton was a pioneer both in her life and at NASA and in the field she created

and at NASA and in the field she created

and at NASA and in the field she created software engineering which is something

software engineering which is something

software engineering which is something that I might want to go into someday so

that I might want to go into someday so

that I might want to go into someday so I know I said I was only going to talk

I know I said I was only going to talk

I know I said I was only going to talk about one woman but it turns out I

about one woman but it turns out I

about one woman but it turns out I actually forgot about Admiral Grace

actually forgot about Admiral Grace

actually forgot about Admiral Grace Hopper not sure how anyone does that but

Hopper not sure how anyone does that but

Hopper not sure how anyone does that but I managed it animal Grace Hopper while

I managed it animal Grace Hopper while

I managed it animal Grace Hopper while you may not all have heard of her is an

you may not all have heard of her is an

you may not all have heard of her is an incredible woman her accomplishments

incredible woman her accomplishments

incredible woman her accomplishments start when she got a PhD in mathematics

start when she got a PhD in mathematics

start when she got a PhD in mathematics from Yale all the way in 1934 she was

from Yale all the way in 1934 she was

from Yale all the way in 1934 she was she has received over 30 honorary

she has received over 30 honorary

she has received over 30 honorary Doctorate degrees she also was a member

Doctorate degrees she also was a member

Doctorate degrees she also was a member of the u.s. Navy and created the world’s

of the u.s. Navy and created the world’s

of the u.s. Navy and created the world’s first operational compiler now that’s

first operational compiler now that’s

first operational compiler now that’s pretty cool because it takes the code

pretty cool because it takes the code

pretty cool because it takes the code that you write in a programming language

that you write in a programming language

that you write in a programming language like I do for our robots and translates

like I do for our robots and translates

like I do for our robots and translates it into the language that a robot or

it into the language that a robot or

it into the language that a robot or machine can use so a lot of ones and

machine can use so a lot of ones and

machine can use so a lot of ones and zeroes hopper is just another incredible

zeroes hopper is just another incredible

zeroes hopper is just another incredible woman that we sometimes forget about

woman that we sometimes forget about

woman that we sometimes forget about we have to remember that today that

we have to remember that today that

we have to remember that today that there are incredible women too and there

there are incredible women too and there

there are incredible women too and there aren’t enough of them so what we have to

aren’t enough of them so what we have to

aren’t enough of them so what we have to do is create a change for them to be

do is create a change for them to be

do is create a change for them to be able to peek through one place where

able to peek through one place where

able to peek through one place where I’ve sort of learned about how

I’ve sort of learned about how

I’ve sort of learned about how engineering works was Wave robotics and

engineering works was Wave robotics and

engineering works was Wave robotics and a lot of it was thanks to an amazing

a lot of it was thanks to an amazing

a lot of it was thanks to an amazing mentor I had I was sucked in to a

mentor I had I was sucked in to a

mentor I had I was sucked in to a robotics I got sucked in by my mentors I

robotics I got sucked in by my mentors I

robotics I got sucked in by my mentors I was sucked in by two extraordinary

was sucked in by two extraordinary

was sucked in by two extraordinary senior boys who programmed the very best

senior boys who programmed the very best

senior boys who programmed the very best autonomous program for this robot and I

autonomous program for this robot and I

autonomous program for this robot and I was Pro I was sucked in by the most

was Pro I was sucked in by the most

was Pro I was sucked in by the most awesome engineer my mentor Kelly I got

awesome engineer my mentor Kelly I got

awesome engineer my mentor Kelly I got the X the exposure that I just hadn’t

the X the exposure that I just hadn’t

the X the exposure that I just hadn’t gotten previously and I realized that

gotten previously and I realized that

gotten previously and I realized that this was something that I could do

this was something that I could do

this was something that I could do before

before

before I hadn’t really been exposed to anything

I hadn’t really been exposed to anything

I hadn’t really been exposed to anything that I just really liked I thought maybe

that I just really liked I thought maybe

that I just really liked I thought maybe I could be a journalist cuz I’m in the

I could be a journalist cuz I’m in the

I could be a journalist cuz I’m in the school newspaper and I mean it’s not

school newspaper and I mean it’s not

school newspaper and I mean it’s not right but I just couldn’t see myself

right but I just couldn’t see myself

right but I just couldn’t see myself doing that long term with wave I found a

doing that long term with wave I found a

doing that long term with wave I found a passion surrounded by guys and that’s

passion surrounded by guys and that’s

passion surrounded by guys and that’s the thing STEM science technology

the thing STEM science technology

the thing STEM science technology engineering and mathematics are all

engineering and mathematics are all

engineering and mathematics are all male-dominated fields but they don’t

male-dominated fields but they don’t

male-dominated fields but they don’t have to be we need to remember the girls

have to be we need to remember the girls

have to be we need to remember the girls have the interest and the talent to be

have the interest and the talent to be

have the interest and the talent to be involved in stem just like anyone else

involved in stem just like anyone else

involved in stem just like anyone else here is where I could spout dozens maybe

here is where I could spout dozens maybe

here is where I could spout dozens maybe even hundreds of statistics at you but

even hundreds of statistics at you but

even hundreds of statistics at you but you might fall asleep so I’ll try to

you might fall asleep so I’ll try to

you might fall asleep so I’ll try to keep it short

keep it short

keep it short woman hold Wes than 25% of STEM jobs and

woman hold Wes than 25% of STEM jobs and

woman hold Wes than 25% of STEM jobs and in 2013 three short years ago women held

in 2013 three short years ago women held

in 2013 three short years ago women held only 12% of jobs in engineering but we

only 12% of jobs in engineering but we

only 12% of jobs in engineering but we can change that remember Rosie the

can change that remember Rosie the

can change that remember Rosie the Riveter change can clearly happen but

Riveter change can clearly happen but

Riveter change can clearly happen but what we have to do is create that change

what we have to do is create that change

what we have to do is create that change because if we don’t who

because if we don’t who

because if we don’t who and that changed it can be significant

and that changed it can be significant

and that changed it can be significant in someone’s life it can change their

in someone’s life it can change their

in someone’s life it can change their whole world it can show them

whole world it can show them

whole world it can show them opportunities that they didn’t know

opportunities that they didn’t know

opportunities that they didn’t know existed and it will say it’s okay to try

existed and it will say it’s okay to try

existed and it will say it’s okay to try something new it’s okay to hypothesize

something new it’s okay to hypothesize

something new it’s okay to hypothesize it’s okay to innovate it’s definitely

it’s okay to innovate it’s definitely

it’s okay to innovate it’s definitely okay to fail and it’s okay that I am a

okay to fail and it’s okay that I am a

okay to fail and it’s okay that I am a girl and that I want to do this through

girl and that I want to do this through

girl and that I want to do this through small scale changes in our environment

small scale changes in our environment

small scale changes in our environment we can change the environment around us

we can change the environment around us

we can change the environment around us and make better opportunities for

and make better opportunities for

and make better opportunities for everyone around us but as I said before

everyone around us but as I said before

everyone around us but as I said before we have to start somewhere how many

we have to start somewhere how many

we have to start somewhere how many people here actually knew who Admiral

people here actually knew who Admiral

people here actually knew who Admiral Hopper was great and who thought that

Hopper was great and who thought that

Hopper was great and who thought that Jerry Cobb was a man I’ll admit that

Jerry Cobb was a man I’ll admit that

Jerry Cobb was a man I’ll admit that both of them got me the first time I

both of them got me the first time I

both of them got me the first time I heard of them and this is because of the

heard of them and this is because of the

heard of them and this is because of the ways our beliefs are formed our implicit

ways our beliefs are formed our implicit

ways our beliefs are formed our implicit bias is the reason we think of these

bias is the reason we think of these

bias is the reason we think of these iconic figures as men our attitudes and

iconic figures as men our attitudes and

iconic figures as men our attitudes and our backgrounds affect our actions and

our backgrounds affect our actions and

our backgrounds affect our actions and our decisions all subconsciously but

our decisions all subconsciously but

our decisions all subconsciously but that can change one way that’s changing

that can change one way that’s changing

that can change one way that’s changing is mass media today on TV we see a show

is mass media today on TV we see a show

is mass media today on TV we see a show about a girl who’s pitching in the big

about a girl who’s pitching in the big

about a girl who’s pitching in the big leagues and we should see a bazinga show

leagues and we should see a bazinga show

leagues and we should see a bazinga show about a smart guy with an even smarter

about a smart guy with an even smarter

about a smart guy with an even smarter girlfriend who just happens to be a

girlfriend who just happens to be a

girlfriend who just happens to be a neuroscientist in real life she also

neuroscientist in real life she also

neuroscientist in real life she also knows three languages Wow

knows three languages Wow

knows three languages Wow Society teaches us lies what girls can’t

Society teaches us lies what girls can’t

Society teaches us lies what girls can’t do that and that’s just not true early

do that and that’s just not true early

do that and that’s just not true early exposure to phenomenal women like the

exposure to phenomenal women like the

exposure to phenomenal women like the one in Big Bang Theory that I mentioned

one in Big Bang Theory that I mentioned

one in Big Bang Theory that I mentioned and I’m not allowed to say the name of

and I’m not allowed to say the name of

and I’m not allowed to say the name of that so as well as Admiral Hoffer and my

that so as well as Admiral Hoffer and my

that so as well as Admiral Hoffer and my mentor Kelly can help change that

mentor Kelly can help change that

mentor Kelly can help change that implicit bias creating social relevance

implicit bias creating social relevance

implicit bias creating social relevance and these fields can help cultivate a

and these fields can help cultivate a

and these fields can help cultivate a sense of belonging which is incredibly

sense of belonging which is incredibly

sense of belonging which is incredibly important for adults to take

important for adults to take

important for adults to take opportunities to be role models in

opportunities to be role models in

opportunities to be role models in fields such as stem can help create a

fields such as stem can help create a

fields such as stem can help create a better environment for everyone

better environment for everyone

better environment for everyone at wave I’ve had the phenomenal

at wave I’ve had the phenomenal

at wave I’ve had the phenomenal opportunity to have that experience I

opportunity to have that experience I

opportunity to have that experience I have worked with mentors and they’ve

have worked with mentors and they’ve

have worked with mentors and they’ve helped me find my passion and that

helped me find my passion and that

helped me find my passion and that brings me to the next point in girls a

brings me to the next point in girls a

brings me to the next point in girls a growth mindset is also incredibly

growth mindset is also incredibly

growth mindset is also incredibly important which can be also cultivated

important which can be also cultivated

important which can be also cultivated by parents encouraging us to do that

by parents encouraging us to do that

by parents encouraging us to do that hard stuff and once we find an interest

hard stuff and once we find an interest

hard stuff and once we find an interest support us as our passion grows we will

support us as our passion grows we will

support us as our passion grows we will work on self-improvement we’ll be driven

work on self-improvement we’ll be driven

work on self-improvement we’ll be driven to succeed just like anyone else help us

to succeed just like anyone else help us

to succeed just like anyone else help us pave the way to brilliance by

pave the way to brilliance by

pave the way to brilliance by introducing girls to stem encouraged us

introducing girls to stem encouraged us

introducing girls to stem encouraged us to do hard stuff like math and science

to do hard stuff like math and science

to do hard stuff like math and science and challenge us with opportunities to

and challenge us with opportunities to

and challenge us with opportunities to learn push us into that machine shop and

learn push us into that machine shop and

learn push us into that machine shop and hand us a tool as I said before exposure

hand us a tool as I said before exposure

hand us a tool as I said before exposure is incredibly important and one pretty

is incredibly important and one pretty

is incredibly important and one pretty easy example of that is myself I don’t

easy example of that is myself I don’t

easy example of that is myself I don’t think I ever would have figured out what

think I ever would have figured out what

think I ever would have figured out what I wanted to do with my life had I had

I wanted to do with my life had I had

I wanted to do with my life had I had not inadvertently been forced into

not inadvertently been forced into

not inadvertently been forced into joining Wave robotics knowing and

joining Wave robotics knowing and

joining Wave robotics knowing and learning about what you want or maybe

learning about what you want or maybe

learning about what you want or maybe you think you want to do we’re just

you think you want to do we’re just

you think you want to do we’re just trying it out

trying it out

trying it out it is incredibly important no matter who

it is incredibly important no matter who

it is incredibly important no matter who you are or what it is that you want to

you are or what it is that you want to

you are or what it is that you want to do to girls while there’s not a whole

do to girls while there’s not a whole

do to girls while there’s not a whole lot of you in the audience my advice is

lot of you in the audience my advice is

lot of you in the audience my advice is to take every opportunity to learn

to take every opportunity to learn

to take every opportunity to learn whether it’s just by fooling around with

whether it’s just by fooling around with

whether it’s just by fooling around with tools or it’s by meeting and working

tools or it’s by meeting and working

tools or it’s by meeting and working with great women in the field you want

with great women in the field you want

with great women in the field you want to go into like my mentor Kelly stick

to go into like my mentor Kelly stick

to go into like my mentor Kelly stick with it if you liked it share it with

with it if you liked it share it with

with it if you liked it share it with your friends because a lot of times all

your friends because a lot of times all

your friends because a lot of times all we need is that nudge and that

we need is that nudge and that

we need is that nudge and that opportunity one place where I’ve

opportunity one place where I’ve

opportunity one place where I’ve experienced the sense of belonging that

experienced the sense of belonging that

experienced the sense of belonging that I mentioned before was an all-girls

I mentioned before was an all-girls

I mentioned before was an all-girls competition in 2015 which you can see

competition in 2015 which you can see

competition in 2015 which you can see some of the awards we went up there it

some of the awards we went up there it

some of the awards we went up there it was a phenomenal experience I have felt

was a phenomenal experience I have felt

was a phenomenal experience I have felt comfortable in my skin

comfortable in my skin

comfortable in my skin doing something that I really love to do

doing something that I really love to do

doing something that I really love to do despite the fact that I was barely a

despite the fact that I was barely a

despite the fact that I was barely a sophomore

sophomore

sophomore it was an incredible experience and I

it was an incredible experience and I

it was an incredible experience and I learned so much from the people around

learned so much from the people around

learned so much from the people around me and I was inspired by the people at

me and I was inspired by the people at

me and I was inspired by the people at the competition there I had the

the competition there I had the

the competition there I had the opportunity to do something called

opportunity to do something called

opportunity to do something called operating the robot and the way that

operating the robot and the way that

operating the robot and the way that works is there’s a driver there’s an

works is there’s a driver there’s an

works is there’s a driver there’s an operator driver drives the robot like

operator driver drives the robot like

operator driver drives the robot like you drive a car the operator does the

you drive a car the operator does the

you drive a car the operator does the auxiliary stuff like changing the radio

auxiliary stuff like changing the radio

auxiliary stuff like changing the radio I was the one who changed the radio and

I was the one who changed the radio and

I was the one who changed the radio and it was phenomenal it totally gave me a

it was phenomenal it totally gave me a

it was phenomenal it totally gave me a confidence boost I had an amazing time

confidence boost I had an amazing time

confidence boost I had an amazing time and so when we went back in 2016 which I

and so when we went back in 2016 which I

and so when we went back in 2016 which I don’t have a picture of I’m sorry haha I

don’t have a picture of I’m sorry haha I

don’t have a picture of I’m sorry haha I think I attended with a little bit more

think I attended with a little bit more

think I attended with a little bit more confidence this year I had the

confidence this year I had the

confidence this year I had the opportunity to be the operator for our

opportunity to be the operator for our

opportunity to be the operator for our 2016 robot throughout the regular season

2016 robot throughout the regular season

2016 robot throughout the regular season so that was incredible

so that was incredible

so that was incredible so I stepped in to this competition just

so I stepped in to this competition just

so I stepped in to this competition just feeling more confident and being able to

feeling more confident and being able to

feeling more confident and being able to share the knowledge that I gained in the

share the knowledge that I gained in the

share the knowledge that I gained in the past year with other girls and it was

past year with other girls and it was

past year with other girls and it was just it was just great I know I’m

just it was just great I know I’m

just it was just great I know I’m gushing the best part along with

gushing the best part along with

gushing the best part along with learning was that I felt really

learning was that I felt really

learning was that I felt really comfortable and there was no guys trying

comfortable and there was no guys trying

comfortable and there was no guys trying to shove their way into my spot and

to shove their way into my spot and

to shove their way into my spot and nobody was trying to hit on me so that

nobody was trying to hit on me so that

nobody was trying to hit on me so that was pretty great every while every girl

was pretty great every while every girl

was pretty great every while every girl knows that the real world isn’t like in

knows that the real world isn’t like in

knows that the real world isn’t like in all-girls competition it’s fun to

all-girls competition it’s fun to

all-girls competition it’s fun to pretend for a moment but of course there

pretend for a moment but of course there

pretend for a moment but of course there will be roadblocks there will be plenty

will be roadblocks there will be plenty

will be roadblocks there will be plenty of roadblocks there will be guys telling

of roadblocks there will be guys telling

of roadblocks there will be guys telling you you only get to do this because

you you only get to do this because

you you only get to do this because you’re a girl I’ve gotten that one quite

you’re a girl I’ve gotten that one quite

you’re a girl I’ve gotten that one quite a few times and the other hand there’ll

a few times and the other hand there’ll

a few times and the other hand there’ll be guys holding the door open to help

be guys holding the door open to help

be guys holding the door open to help you which is a little bit of an internal

you which is a little bit of an internal

you which is a little bit of an internal conflict because I want to have the same

conflict because I want to have the same

conflict because I want to have the same opportunities they do but and I also

opportunities they do but and I also

opportunities they do but and I also want to make the same amount as they do

want to make the same amount as they do

want to make the same amount as they do once again to the workforce maybe a

once again to the workforce maybe a

once again to the workforce maybe a little bit more but but only because I

little bit more but but only because I

little bit more but but only because I deserve it

but we can’t let any of that stop us

but we can’t let any of that stop us define us or do anything more than help

define us or do anything more than help

define us or do anything more than help us along because there is a whole wide

us along because there is a whole wide

us along because there is a whole wide world out there and I’m not gonna let

world out there and I’m not gonna let

world out there and I’m not gonna let anyone or anything stop me from reaching

anyone or anything stop me from reaching

anyone or anything stop me from reaching it so this past year as I mentioned

it so this past year as I mentioned

it so this past year as I mentioned before I had the phenomenal opportunity

before I had the phenomenal opportunity

before I had the phenomenal opportunity to operate our 2016 robot and thanks to

to operate our 2016 robot and thanks to

to operate our 2016 robot and thanks to a lot of encouragement from my parents

a lot of encouragement from my parents

a lot of encouragement from my parents from mentors from peers I was actually

from mentors from peers I was actually

from mentors from peers I was actually the first girl ever to be in that

the first girl ever to be in that

the first girl ever to be in that position on my team so that was pretty

position on my team so that was pretty

position on my team so that was pretty sweet this year I took yet another step

sweet this year I took yet another step

sweet this year I took yet another step out of my comfort zone by running for

out of my comfort zone by running for

out of my comfort zone by running for team lead and I got it

this is only because a lot of support

this is only because a lot of support from people like my parents who let me

from people like my parents who let me

from people like my parents who let me stay out till 10 p.m. working on a robot

stay out till 10 p.m. working on a robot

stay out till 10 p.m. working on a robot sometimes

sometimes

sometimes 10:32 my mentors and to my peers and I

10:32 my mentors and to my peers and I

10:32 my mentors and to my peers and I just want to inspire others like they

just want to inspire others like they

just want to inspire others like they inspired me to learn Wow I’ve been

inspired me to learn Wow I’ve been

inspired me to learn Wow I’ve been impacted hugely by wave it’s people like

impacted hugely by wave it’s people like

impacted hugely by wave it’s people like my good friend Becca who have really

my good friend Becca who have really

my good friend Becca who have really pushed me into those positions when I

pushed me into those positions when I

pushed me into those positions when I joined the team I was a freshman and she

joined the team I was a freshman and she

joined the team I was a freshman and she was a junior so she was like ancient and

was a junior so she was like ancient and

was a junior so she was like ancient and she was the first person on the team who

she was the first person on the team who

she was the first person on the team who actually talked to me and that made me

actually talked to me and that made me

actually talked to me and that made me realize that feeling comfortable in your

realize that feeling comfortable in your

realize that feeling comfortable in your environment does wonders to how much you

environment does wonders to how much you

environment does wonders to how much you want to learn and it also helps us

want to learn and it also helps us

want to learn and it also helps us remember that we’re here to be a person

remember that we’re here to be a person

remember that we’re here to be a person and do that work no matter our gender

and do that work no matter our gender

and do that work no matter our gender when I joined wave I was very quiet and

when I joined wave I was very quiet and

when I joined wave I was very quiet and very very shy and look at me now

very very shy and look at me now

very very shy and look at me now I was impacted hugely as I said before

I was impacted hugely as I said before

I was impacted hugely as I said before but it’s Becca it’s is Becca who has

but it’s Becca it’s is Becca who has

but it’s Becca it’s is Becca who has blown me away I’m starting to run out of

blown me away I’m starting to run out of

blown me away I’m starting to run out of time but I have to tell this story when

time but I have to tell this story when

time but I have to tell this story when I started writing this TEDx talk I asked

I started writing this TEDx talk I asked

I started writing this TEDx talk I asked Becca if I could talk about her and she

Becca if I could talk about her and she

Becca if I could talk about her and she said future resume was mentioned by a

said future resume was mentioned by a

said future resume was mentioned by a TEDx talk

TEDx talk

TEDx talk she was amazing she joined our team as a

she was amazing she joined our team as a

she was amazing she joined our team as a sophomore thanks to a series of

sophomore thanks to a series of

sophomore thanks to a series of coincidences culminating with her going

coincidences culminating with her going

coincidences culminating with her going to a meeting and finding a family she

to a meeting and finding a family she

to a meeting and finding a family she finished paying off her detentions

finished paying off her detentions

finished paying off her detentions halfway through her senior year

halfway through her senior year

halfway through her senior year those were accumulated her freshman year

those were accumulated her freshman year

those were accumulated her freshman year she’s amazing and she’s attending uw

she’s amazing and she’s attending uw

she’s amazing and she’s attending uw Platteville right now I’m so incredibly

Platteville right now I’m so incredibly

Platteville right now I’m so incredibly proud we’ve showed her a greater world

proud we’ve showed her a greater world

proud we’ve showed her a greater world as Gandhi said we need not to see to

as Gandhi said we need not to see to

as Gandhi said we need not to see to wait what others do we need to do it

wait what others do we need to do it

wait what others do we need to do it ourselves we need to be that change

ourselves we need to be that change

ourselves we need to be that change thank you

”

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