WOODHAVEN, Mich. - Dozens of girls from across Michigan took center stage in Woodhaven this weekend, competing in a First Robotics girls-only invitational that's become a launching pad for the next generation of women in STEM.

Key Takeaways:


Dozens of girls from across Michigan competed in a First Robotics girls-only invitational event in Woodhaven this weekend.

The event was organized by Woodhaven High School's First Robotics team, the Goon Squad, who dubbed themselves the  Goonettes  for the occasion.

Organizers say the event is helping build a pipeline of young women into STEM and robotics careers.

Girls from across Michigan descended on Woodhaven this weekend for a First Robotics girls invitational - a high-energy competition giving young women a rare chance to shine in a field long dominated by men.

From mascots to screaming fans, the atmosphere inside the event was anything but quiet.

 It's like stepping into a Michigan football game,  said Sam Manning of Woodhaven's Goon Squad.  Everybody's so excited to be there because it is their life. 

What makes these robots so special?

The machines on the floor were anything but simple. Competitors brought complex, multi-functioning bots that left even veteran observers in awe.

 There's so many moving mechanisms where you think,  Oh my goodness, this robot might be a bust,' but then it comes out, it competes and does its job,  said Autum Solis of Team 2620 out of Southgate.

Who is behind the event?

The invitational was organized by Woodhaven High School's First Robotics team - the Goon Squad - who call themselves the  Goonettes  for the occasion. What started as a small regional event has grown into something far more meaningful over the years.

 At the beginning, we'd get emails after the event of mentors saying,  Oh, our students had so much fun there.' And that's awesome,  said Brandon Queen, co-founder and event coordinator of the Goonettes Invitational.  Now, all these years later, I'm getting [students] coming back and saying,  Hey, I'm a senior at a university getting my robotics engineering degree. This

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