Five teenage girls are powering ahead in what has traditionally been a male-dominated world of robotics competition.
The Ulladulla High School students make up the House of Ulladulla robotics team which was awarded a series of Federal Government Sponsorship Grants to enable them to take part in three major competitions.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips was pleased to meet with the girls last week and to see how the Department of Industry, Science and Resources grants helped the team.
“These grants are designed to help young people take part in live or virtual STEM engagement events, activities and competitions across Australia and overseas,” she said.
“The House of Ulladulla robotics team gets together out of school hours and the girls work hard on designing and building their robots.
“I can see how passionate they are about robotics and it’s so inspiring to see creative, intelligent girls so engaged in a space that has traditionally been male-dominated.”
The team is made up of year 10 students Sarang O’Neill, Maya Jarman, Claire Donnelly, Darcy Stewart and Lotti Macdonell and their coach is UHS teacher Matthew Macdonell.
The team has taken part in competitions in the First Robotics Competition at East Bay in the United States of America in 2023, the Masterpiece First Lego League Challenge and the First Tech Challenge at Macquarie University held during the July school holidays, coming away with a second place and a Connect award for their positive interaction with other teams.
Their challenge for the next eight-week season will be to design and build robots using a ‘submerged’ underwater theme.
Mr Macdonell said the team would not have been able to compete without the three federal grants which totalled more than $32,000.
He said the students gained a host of skills in the interactive and hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, as well as important soft skills like problem-solving, time management and team work.
Mrs Phillips said the Australian Government aimed to engage people nationwide to build awareness and develop capability and skills in science, particularly those from groups that were under-represented.
“How great is it, during National Science Week - Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, to celebrate the success of these five amazing young women,” she said.
“I’m so pleased to have been able to help them on their journey and wish them every success in their underwater challenge.”
Photo: Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips with members of the House of Ulladulla robotics team that received more than $32,000 in sponsorship grants from the Albanese Government.
MEDIA CONTACT: Katrina Condie: 0437 662 967
