WHAT IS THE ROBETTES HISTORY?
In 2007, the FIRST Robotics Team at Visitation began. We started in the garage of a student and were one of a handful of teams in Minnesota. During 6 weeks, with limited means and hard work, we built a competitive robot. We traveled to St. Louis, MO to compete (the closest regional competition). There, we garnered two awards, the Highest Seeded Rookie Award and the Rookie Inspiration Award. Four years later, with Visitation's Robettes helping to lead the way, our state numbers over 100 teams and hosts two regional tournaments at the U of M. The Robettes maintain a solid team of students, a strong corporate partnership with Boston Scientific and its professional mentors, award winning performance at competitions, and a larger and well-equipped build space in a warehouse downtown St. Paul. Our three-month competition season has expanded to a year-round program. Veteran team members and mentors host a summer institute, providing interested students the opportunity to explore the mechanical, electrical, programming and business operations of the team. During the fall semester, we hone our skills during weekly sessions, preparing for the challenge of the upcoming season. Enthusiasm for the STEM initiatives promoted by FIRST Robotics resulted in adding two new courses at Visitation: Computer Science and Intro to Engineering.

WHO ARE WE TODAY?
Foremost, The Robettes are a group of young women from the Convent of the Visitation School, passionately pursuing technology and engineering while striving to reach the goal of ‘gracious professionalism': challenging ourselves, competing with integrity, and mentoring others. We strive to increase student academic interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, while encouraging confidence in our unique abilities and leadership potential. Despite the growth of the FIRST Robotics Competitions in Minnesota, we remain, the only all-girls team in the state. Through outreach endeavors such as; demonstrations at the Minnesota Science Museum, Humphrey Institute, Minnesota State Fair, Visitation's STEM Day for Girls, Friendly Hills Middle School, and mentoring other teams (i.e. AGAPE School for Girls), we hope to encourage other girls to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Following in the footsteps of Visitation's FIRST Robotics Alums - who are pursuing engineering, science and math degrees, and inspire us by their successes (scholarships, prestigious internships) - we look forward to applying the skills we have learned during our college careers. FIRST Robotics has ignited our confidence and enthusiasm, causing us to rethink our paths and consider pursuing degrees in fields not typically sought by females.

WHY DONATE?
A computer may eventually do any job that can be reduced to a set of specific tasks governed by specific rules. What we do in FIRST Robotics goes far beyond programmable skills; it is creative, innovative and collaborative. We believe these are important skills for students in the 21st century. Your donation will help sustain this program now, and for future students at Visitation.