March is Women’s History Month. Students at Spruce Mountain High School are currently making a difference that could have lasting impacts for women in the future. This is the third in a series about staff and students at the high school.

JAY — Lily Bailey and Ava Coates are blazing trails in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics which could make a difference for girls in the future.

The Spruce Mountain High School students are part of the Blue Crew 6153 FRC team at the Mt. Blue Campus that won the Chairman’s Award at the New England Pine Tree District Event held March 11-13 at Thomas College in Waterville. The two were leads in preparing for that part of the FIRST Robotics Competition.

After being part of the FIRST LEGO League program while in middle school, moving to FRC was a natural progression for Bailey and Coates.

“LEGO League taught me so many real-world skills including group work, public speaking, and leadership,” Bailey wrote in a recent email. “FIRST programs helped me find friends. When I aged out of LEGO League, I felt I had to continue with FIRST.”

Coates joined because her sister was involved and “it looked fun.”

“I joined during the summer program that they offered before 6th grade and enjoyed the experience,” she wrote. “I just kept going because I enjoyed it. My sister was also in Robotics in high school which made me want to join. It seemed like the natural next step after LEGO League. I enjoyed being able to mentor the younger students.”

Bailey has a busy schedule.

“Most of my work with robotics is done in Mr. Taylor’s room or at my house,” she noted. “As for the work I do for Blue Crew, it depends on the week.”

Coates also has other commitments.

“Because we worked on the Chairman’s project I didn’t have to be there in person that much,” she noted. “I was also able to work with Lily at school and at her house. I also ended up with Covid during part of this but was able to participate with Zoom.”

Bailey is the entrepreneurship captain for Blue Crew 6153.

“This means I am in charge of creating a business for the team, filling the binder, writing a report on finance, and presenting the report and binder at competitions,” she wrote. “I am also a part of the chairman’s team. My duties include helping write a 10,000 character report about our team, filling the binder, writing a seven-minute presentation, and presenting for 12 minutes including five minutes for [questions and answers].”

Because Blue Crew 6153 won the Chairman’s Award at the Pine Tree Event, it won’t be able to compete for that award at other regional competitions, Coates wrote.

“We are now focusing on the Entrepreneurship presentation,” she noted. “When we compete in the New Englands we will be able to give our Chairman’s presentation again.”

“We all work together and value each other’s opinions,” Bailey responded when asked what she likes best about robotics. “It shows everyone that their voices are heard and important.”

Coates likes participating with her friends. “It gives us something to do together,” she noted. “I’m not really talented with the robotics part but I love doing the presentations.”

“Robotics is very time-consuming and difficult,” Bailey wrote. “From working on the robot to writing reports, it takes a lot of time and effort. I struggle to find the time, but it is so worth it.”

Coates noted, “The time commitment was a little difficult and sometimes the commute since Mt. Blue is much further than Spruce.”

Former SMART advisor Daniel Lemieux advocated the importance of STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – rather than STEM with his teams.

“I feel like since we are doing more of a presentation it’s using more English and fine arts skills as well as public speaking skills but the science and math part don’t apply to what we are doing,” Coates wrote. “I do feel like I’m gaining skills in those areas and will apply those in my future.”

“STEAM helps me become more of a problem-solver,” Bailey noted. “I learn how to be creative in everything I do within the program.”

Bailey and Coates are active outside of robotics.

“I am a part of my school’s drama, math team, Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, Girls Who Code, Gender-Sexuality Alliance, and National Honor Society,” Bailey wrote. “I also volunteer in the Jay Niles Memorial Library makerspace. I volunteer for LEGO League and I compete in Special Olympics horseback riding.”

She also works with the National Science Foundation.

“I am currently on the board for a grants for accessible maker spaces in rural areas,” Bailey noted. “Because of this, this summer I presented at the National Science Foundation annual convening. I was on a panel about student voice in [STEM].”

“I’m involved in many activities including One Acts [drama], Envirothon, NHS, school board, bowling and I was working but I recently quit [due to all my other commitments],” Coates noted. “I will also be in track in the spring and I’m in cross country during the fall. Sometimes I help out at church when they need me [more during the summers].”

Coates also represents students on the Regional School Unit 73 Board of Directors.

For students first learning about robotics, Bailey would say, “It is not all about the robot. You can write reports or participate in safety. Our safety team is absolutely amazing. They make safety fun.”

“You don’t need to be really skilled at science and math,” Coates would emphasize. “There are so many parts that anyone can participate. “You learn a lot while on the team and it helps you learn public presentations and having fun with other students.

“I was nervous about participating with another school but they accepted us,” she said of the robotics program. “The free food was pretty nice as well.”

“We are all very valuable members of the team,” Bailey stressed. “We may have written the report, but we told a story that was already there.”

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