Have questions about Girl Powered? Start here. These FAQs explain how Girl Powered workshops work, how families can find events, and how hosts can plan, promote, and run a welcoming workshop.
Questions About Girl Powered
What is Girl Powered?
The VEX Robotics Girl Powered initiative helps girls see themselves as leaders, builders, coders, pilots, and problem-solvers in STEM. Through hands-on experiences with robotics and drones, Girl Powered creates welcoming opportunities for students to build confidence, collaborate, and explore what they can create.
Who is Girl Powered for?
Girl Powered is for students of many ages and experience levels, from early learners to college students. Workshops can be adapted for students who are trying robotics, drones, or coding for the first time, as well as students who already participate in VEX programs. Students, families, mentors, educators, teams, and community members all play a role in Girl Powered by helping create welcoming STEM spaces where students can explore, learn, and build confidence.
Why does Girl Powered focus on girls?
Girls and young women are still underrepresented in many STEM fields, including robotics, engineering, coding, and aviation. Girl Powered focuses on girls so they have more opportunities to build, code, fly, lead, and solve problems in welcoming STEM spaces. This focus is not about excluding anyone. It is about making sure girls are encouraged, supported, and visible so more students can imagine themselves as part of the STEM community.
Questions About Attending a Girl Powered Workshop
What happens at a Girl Powered workshop?
Girl Powered workshops are hands-on STEM experiences where students explore robotics, drones, leadership, and teamwork in a welcoming environment. A workshop may include robotics or drone activities, coding challenges, a guest speaker or panel, team-building activities, leadership discussions, reflection time, and certificates to recognize participation. Each workshop may look different depending on the age range, available resources, schedule, and activities selected by the host.
Do students need experience with robotics, coding, or drones?
No experience is needed, just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try something new. Girl Powered workshops are designed to help students explore STEM in a welcoming, hands-on way, whether they are trying robotics, coding, or drones for the first time or already have experience. Workshop activities include student-friendly materials and guidance to help participants get started, ask questions, and build confidence as they learn.
How do I find a Girl Powered workshop near me?
You can search for upcoming Girl Powered workshops on VEX Robotics Events. Workshop listings may include details such as the date, time, location, age range, registration information, and what students can expect.
Don't see a workshop near you? Consider reaching out to a local school, team, library, community organization, or VEX group if they would be interested in hosting one.
Questions About Hosting a Girl Powered Workshop
Who can host a Girl Powered workshop?
Anyone can host a Girl Powered workshop! You do not need to be a roboticist or STEM professional. Hosts can include educators, coaches, teams, schools, libraries, community organizations, universities, companies, families, or volunteers who want to help students explore robotics, drones, and STEM in a welcoming environment.
A successful workshop does not need to be large or complicated. The goal is to create a space where students can try something new, build confidence, and see what is possible. Learn more about how to host a workshop here.
What resources are available to help me plan and run a Girl Powered workshop?
Girl Powered workshop resources include everything you need to plan, promote, and run your workshop with confidence!
- Find detailed steps for planning, promoting, and running a Girl Powered workshop here. You will find template documents to help you keep track of logistics like sign-in/out, participant information and release forms, as well as promotional materials and flyer and certificate templates.
- Find Girl Powered activities here. You will find Instructor Notes to give adult facilitators guidance on setup, facilitation, and wrap-up, as well as Student Handouts with student-friendly instruction and reminders.
- Find the Girl Powered Style Guide for creating promotional materials here, to keep your workshop materials clear, consistent, and on brand. Girl Powered flyer templates, logos, and promotional assets are available in this zip file as well.
What VEX hardware do I need?
The VEX hardware you need depends on the Girl Powered activities you choose for your workshop. Before selecting an activity, review which VEX Robotics kits you have access to. Most Girl Powered workshops require VEX hardware. If you do not have access to physical hardware, you can use a VEXcode VR coding activity instead, or find information on purchasing VEX hardware here.
Can I customize my Girl Powered workshop?
Yes, Girl Powered workshops are designed to be flexible, and can be adapted to best meet your needs. You can use one Girl Powered Activity for a shorter workshop or combine multiple activities to create a longer experience.
Start with the activities that match the VEX hardware, devices, and space you have available. Then consider the age range, schedule, and goals for your workshop. Use the estimated time, Student Handouts and Instructor Notes provided with each activity to help you build an agenda that fits your workshop.
How can I make my workshop welcoming and accessible?
Girl Powered workshops should give students space to be curious, creative, and brave enough to try something new. A welcoming workshop is not about everyone having the same experience; it is about helping every student participate in a way that feels supported and meaningful.
To support accessibility and belonging, you can:
- Share the schedule and expectations before the workshop.
- Use the participant information form to ask about allergies, accessibility needs, sensory considerations, or other accommodations.
- Review Student Handouts and Instructor Notes in advance so you can prepare supports or adjustments based on your participants.
- Use accessible communication whenever possible. Give directions in clear step-by-step language, repeat key information, and avoid relying on color alone.
- Offer different ways for students to participate, such as building, coding, driving, flying, planning, or presenting.
- Celebrate participation: Use reflection time and certificates to recognize effort, creativity, teamwork, and growth.