Ada2 - 9635B
kaylah.holland
Entry ID #: 5290
Created: Wed, Jan 10, 2018 7:37 AM
Ada2 9635B Mark and Stephanie Sadowski were expecting a baby girl in December of 2003. So as most parents do, they chose a meaningful name for their child. My parents thought that naming me after a famous woman would help give more meaning to me and my name. So they named me Ada after Ada Lovelace the first computer programmer. Not only did the name influence my interests,but she is who I look up to. Ada Lovelace was frowned upon because women in the 1800’s should not be doing math and working with engines. Ada persevered through the social standards and her health, which was like a rollercoaster. She ended up dying at the age 36, but one thing that didn’t die with her is a way for computers to run. Ada Lovelace is a good example of not giving up and how women can be involved in robotics. I channel Ada Lovelace in my world of robotics. I saw my sister compete in the lower school IQ robotics program and I saw the middle school at meets for IQ and VRC. I saw my sister struggle and do well. So I wanted to test to see if I could take on the challenge. My school wants everyone to be in the program including girls and guys. One way they did this was by hiring two amazing women to teach the STEM electives. About two years ago, they changed a classroom into the creation space where most of the STEM electives meet. Before taking on this project, Charlotte Christian School (CCS) did their research. They found that having a set place or area helps encourage kids to do and excel in STEM activities. CCS also made the electives available for novices and experts and anyone can learn a little something. The STEM teachers celebrate wins and good matches in competitions and they also help us grow when we fail. In doing this many kids last year were interested to take on the challenge of robotics. The 2017-2018 school year was where I was going to attempt robotics. One of the early challenges I personally had to overcome was not really knowing anyone too well and being the only girl. When I was younger, I was the only girl in a swim relay or on a team. I had to work harder than the boys to show I can do this. But in Robotics all the guys accepted that I was a team member. The boys didn’t even understand the sexual difference in Robotics. They also have been really open to my suggestions and comments. Mainly I am a builder because I love building and creating. We all take turns writing in the notebook, but I started the notebook so that way it followed the rubric and it set a way of doing it so it is perfectly eligible and so we could have a better chance at winning the design award or the vex excellence award. The teacher asks us what we wanted to do and we all get to choose what we want to do. The guys on my team really believe that girls make a difference in robotics and celebrate the girl powered idea. Overall I have really enjoyed this team even though I have had some obstacles. This team is really an amazing example of embracing the diversity. Instead for me it was believing I have girl power. Credits: Ada Sadowski 9635B - Charlotte Christian Grade 7&8 RoboKnights Ada2