The Goonettes Invitational is an empowering event put on by the Woodhaven Robotics team for the last 5 years, which inspires girls to learn and participate more in STEM activities. The Invitational hosted 40 teams at Woodhaven High School and over 70 different teams from 2 countries in the last 3 years.
This incredible event was created to inspire girls in the world of STEM, and has reached over 1,500 students over the last 3 years. When interviewing with Rebecca Matzo, one of the Woodhaven High School coaches of robotics. She stated, “Our team hosts Goonettes Invitational to encourage females to take active roles on their robotics team. We are one of the biggest off-season events and one of two that encourages females to take the lead roles.” As a first time attendee, the comradery between all of the teams as they compete was truly inspiring.
When people typically think of a competition, they believe that one team needs to be brought down in order for the other team to try and win. Take, for example, at football games. If the opposing team is doing well, the home team is booing. In robotics, competition is friendly, with one of the main mottos being gracious professionalism. According to the First Robotics website, “fierce competition and mutual gain coexist. Participants compete intensely while treating each other with respect and empathy. There is no trash talking, nor disingenuous platitudes. Knowledge, competition, and empathy blend comfortably.” The ability to have such a strong connection with all of the teams and continue to root for them even when they are on opposing sides shows such great character in all of the participants.
Goonettes was not only a weekend filled with competition but with innovation. There is a segment that happened on Saturday that seems to be the star of the show, it’s called the Hands-on Hallway. The Hands-on Hallway, according to Coach Rebecca Matzo,is an event where “We invited local business, Universities and companies to host a booth in our Hands-on Hallway: showcasing how they use STEM in many different fields.” Universities such as Michigan Technological University, University of Michigan, and Grand Valley State University, in addition to companies Ford, Bosch, and Altair. There are many more businesses and universities that were participating in the Hands-on hallway. These establishments share some of their newer technology in order to give girls an opportunity to experience some STEM products.
Not only were there tactile opportunities, but there were also roundtable discussions with 3 inspiring women who have jobs in STEM. These women answered questions such as what challenges they have faced, is their field male dominated and how has that changed the way they work, how their lives have been impacted by having female role models, and advice to give to other females in STEM. It was uplifting seeing the current and future generations of STEM education in one room. Not only did they have guest speakers on both days of Goonettes, but they also had a mental health conference ran by a Woodhaven High School student Vrianna Becker. It was a presentation on how to identify mental health challenges in students, as well as how to address them.
This event brings hope to all who attend, exemplifying that females have a place in STEM education, and that spot is growing. In the words of coach Becky, “ They really love seeing females able to step and show what they can do.The best part of this event is seeing Girls take leading roles on their team and smiling all day long.”
