Focusing on getting girls engaged in engineering, EIS offers intensive engineering and computer science programs for middle and high school girls. Led by female coaches and role models, students learn to design, code and build robots in teams.
About the Program
Women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, but only 29% of the science and engineering workforce.
EIS launched the first Future Innovators in Robotics & Engineering (FIRE) programs in 2016.
Girls Take Flight
Girls Take Flight has a new home, on our website for high school programs, San Diego SciTech. San Diego SciTech is part of EIS and all programs will continue to be on site at EIS
Girls Take Flight is an innovative program for girls who are in 10th and 11th grade that provides hands-on experience building and flying drones and explores their many uses. Earn a stipend of up to $2,500.
There is no cost for students participating in this program.
The program includes opportunities to participate in a week long camp and a 24-week practicum.
Participation in a week-long camp includes learning flight maneuvers, drone regulations, and write code that will control a drone to fly autonomously. Camp also includes guest speakers to inform students about how drones are being used in real-world applications.
The 24-week practicum will explore the use of drones in addition to building on knowledge of constructing, repairing, and flying a drone. Students will also conduct field video project and become FAA certified drone pilots.
Eligibility:
- Female
- Currently in 10th or 11th grade
- Can provide two forms of identification
EIS Botball Team
2024 Registration Deadline: January 15
In this program, middle school girls learn to design, build and program an autonomous robot. The team typically meets twice weekly and participates in a regional tournament.
The inaugural 2016 team made it to the finals and was recognized by the judges as the “Outstanding Rookie Team”. In 2017, the team competed in the regional tournament with two autonomous robots and won “Outstanding Rookie Team” for the second year in a row. The 2018 team achieved second place in the “Alliance Challenge”.
Our most recent team, 2023, received recognition for “Most Improved in Competition” and the KISS, Keep It Sweet and Simple, award.
FIRE Up!
Participants will be learning to build, program, and operate autonomous drones and robots.
Participation in a 2-week-long tech camp includes attending a week of field trips and meetings with local universities and STEM-related companies to see what tech careers are all about.
The program is offered in the summer.
FIRE Up! 2024 Information
Jumpstart your future in technology with this 2-week hands-on technology and engineering camp for middle school girls. The program includes a field trip to iFly and a session celebration where families are welcome to see the projects your student worked on! Choose one of the 2 sessions.
Session 1: June17 – June 28 *No camp Wednesday June 19
Session 2: July 1 – July 12 *No camp Thursday July 4
Eligibility: Female students in currently in grades 5 – 7 (Ages 11 – 13) attending a San Diego Unified School District School
Hours: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Registration:
Registration and enrollment confirmation is required.