Inside the bustling Design Tech Lab at Trafalgar Castle School, an all-girls private institution in Whitby, Ontario, a team of determined students is gearing up for a transformative experience. The Where’s Waldo robotics team, composed of 13 young women in Grades 9 through 12, is set to compete in the MATE ROV Competition World Championship. This event, commencing Thursday in St. John’s, marks a significant milestone as they become the first secondary school team from Ontario to enter the Ranger division, traditionally dominated by older students.
A New Challenge
As the team members meticulously prepare their custom-built remotely operated vehicle, affectionately named “Where’s Waldo 17,” a flurry of activity fills the lab. Questions fly as they assess their supplies: “Are we out of white zip ties?” and “Do you have the connectors for the cameras?” In the hallway, the team runs final checks on their robot, which will soon be tested in a pool environment.
Among the more unusual requests is a call for an “iceberg” — a rectangular frame made of white plastic tubing that the robot must locate and photograph during the competition. “Getting a robot to work is actually much easier said than done,” remarks Taara Gill, a Grade 12 student and the team’s CEO. The stakes are high, as this competition presents an opportunity to challenge the gender stereotypes often associated with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
Embracing Opportunities in STEM
The MATE ROV competition is designed to inspire students and cultivate skills relevant to the maritime industry. Jill Zande, the executive director of MATE, explains that the initiative aims to engage young minds and create pathways to potential careers in ocean-related fields. With nearly 90 teams from 16 countries participating, the event also highlights the importance of representation, particularly among all-female teams.
This year, competitors will manoeuvre their ROVs in the world’s largest flume tank, a facility designed to simulate ocean currents. Participants will face a series of challenges, such as retrieving objects and measuring “icebergs,” while also simulating a business environment by preparing technical documents and marketing pitches for industry experts.
Natalie Calnek, a 16-year-old team member, expresses hope that their participation will inspire other girls to explore engineering. “It provides an opportunity for girls to be interested in engineering, and people who may not have considered it before joining a team like this allows them to see what it could actually be like,” she states.
The Importance of Diverse Perspectives
The influence of women in STEM cannot be overstated. Penny Senior, a technology and robotics educator at Trafalgar Castle School, emphasises that female perspectives often differ significantly from their male counterparts. “Women think about the ‘why’ more,” she notes, pointing out that the students frequently ask questions that probe deeper into the purpose of their designs. This critical thinking not only fosters innovation but also builds confidence among young women in technical fields.
“It’s empowering for these students to gain experience early,” Senior adds, highlighting the long-term benefits of early engagement in STEM. Encouraging girls to participate in these programmes from a young age can cultivate lasting confidence and interest, which will serve them well in their future academic and professional endeavours.
As for Gill, who plans to study systems design engineering at the University of Waterloo this autumn, the upcoming competition promises to be a whirlwind of excitement. “It’s three days of total, fast-paced, everything’s moving, everyone’s talking, things are always happening all the time,” she describes, reflecting on the unique experience of collaborating with brilliant minds from around the globe.
Why it Matters
The participation of the Where’s Waldo robotics team in the MATE ROV Competition World Championship is not just a personal achievement for these young women; it represents a significant shift in the narrative surrounding women in STEM. By challenging traditional gender roles and showcasing their talents, these students are paving the way for future generations of girls to pursue careers in engineering and technology. Their journey underscores the crucial importance of diversity in all fields, particularly those that will shape the future. As they dive into this competition, they embody the change that is necessary to inspire and empower a more inclusive workforce.