SRP Offers Story Ideas for International Day of Women and Girls in Science

In honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, SRP celebrates and supports the contributions women have and continue to make in the advancement of science and emphasizes the importance of encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.   

Below is a list of story ideas for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. SRP provides grants to support some of these projects, and others are initiatives by SRP employees.   

To coordinate any of the following stories, please contact Marisol Peláez at Marisol.pelaez@srpnet.com or 602.471.9676  

• Desert WAVE Students Prepare for Next International RoboSub Competition 
  Desert WAVE (Women in Autonomous Vehicle Engineering), an all-female robotics team comprising current and recent graduates of ASU, is making improvements to their autonomous underwater robots, Dragon and Baby Dragon. This team, who became world champions at the International Robosub Competition in August 2024, made history as the first all-women group to win an international robotics competition. Competing against 41 teams from 18 countries, they utilized cutting-edge technology such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and computer numerical control milling machines. This year, Desert WAVE will experiment with new technologies to prepare the robot for the next competition. Desert WAVE is part of the Si Se Puede Foundation, an Arizona-based nonprofit dedicated to providing underserved populations with opportunities to excel in STEM fields. 
  Students available for interviews on Fridays.
   
• Trevor Browne High School Students Use AI to Solve Real-World Problems 
  The students at Trevor Browne High School, guided by their teacher, Raquel Díaz, will showcase their innovative traffic congestion analysis solutions projects using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). On February 13th, at the PERA Conference and Training Center in Tempe, they will compete to demonstrate how machine learning can address real-life traffic scenarios around their school. This event not only highlights emerging talent in STEM but also emphasizes the importance of inclusion and diversity in science and technology. Trevor Browne High School was the first high school in Arizona to incorporate an AI curriculum.  
  Interviews can also be scheduled at the school.
      
• Arizona Science Center Offers Girls in STEM Program  
  Through various programming, girls and women of all ages participate in events and learning opportunities to inspire a passion for STEM. Featured events for girls in grades 4-8 include hands-on engineering design challenges, opportunities to meet and visit with female STEM mentors, exploring the Center’s exhibits, and engaging in collaborative problem-solving activities. 
   
• Inspired SRP Engineer Brings Robotics Club to Her Community  
  When Brenda Hernandez, Senior Engineer at SRP noticed that robotics classes in her area were too expensive and often lacked personalized attention, she decided to take action. Inspired by her own children, she founded Ahwatukee Lego Robotics Club to make STEM learning more accessible and engaging for children in her community. Her club not only bridges the gap by offering affordable hands-on experiences but creates an environment where young children receive the guidance they need to thrive.   

SRP is a leader and supporter of education in Arizona, providing over $2 million in teacher resources and grants. From hands-on teacher workshops to grants for educators, SRP supports teachers as they innovate for the future and create classroom environments where everyone can succeed.  

To learn more about women in engineering by the numbers, visit this page.