Who wouldn’t want to build a robot as a school project?

For a long time, many people thought robotics was just the purview of boys. But it turns out many students, including girls, are interested in learning the skills necessary to build a robot.

And as this interest in robotics continues to grow, educators and parents are looking for new ways to encourage and keep kids – especially young women - excited about receiving a science and math education.

A seminar planned on Nov. 5 is one of those ways. The WiSTEM Lecture Series is a day-long event completely run and organized by high school students.

The topics this year are varied, but they all feature female professionals who can speak to the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career through STEM.

Two of the students responsible for the seminar this year recount how they got involved in STEM. Maya Brandy is a sophomore and the organizer of the WiSTEM Seminar, and Kelly Ostrom is a senior and the lead robot programmer for Citrus Circuits.

Both attend Davis High School and are members of its Robotics Team 1678.