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 is an innovative program for girls who are in 10th and 11th grade at a Title I School. Students receive hands-on experience building and flying drones and explores their many uses. The program includes opportunities to participate in a week long camp and a 24-week practicum.
Spring Drone Camp: March 30 – April 3, 2026
Participation in a week-long camp includes learning flight maneuvers, drone regulations, and writing 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.
Girls Take Flight Practicum – April – October 2026
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. Earn a stipend of up to $2,500.
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.
Subscribe to our newsletter for information about the 2026 program
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! .
Eligibility: Female students in currently in grades 5 – 7 (Ages 11 – 13) attending a Title I school in the San Diego Unified School District School
Hours: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Registration:
Registration and enrollment confirmation is required.
Eligibility:
- Female
- Will be in 6th, 7th or 8th grade
EIS Middle School Girls Botball® Team
> Visit our Afterschool and Saturday Programs page for our middle school robotics club.
In this program, middle school girls (grades 6-8) learn to design, build, and program an autonomous robot. The team 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”. The 2023 team received recognition for “Most Improved in Competition”.
The 2023 and 2024 teams each received the KISS, Keep It Sweet and Simple, award.