The Community Bots provides training and equipment in STEM-robotics for young women and their teachers in underserved communities around the world. Working with its partners, The Community Bots supplies academic and social-emotional support so that our aspiring engineers can pursue higher education and a career in STEM.
What We Believe
We believe that participation in STEM-robotics can greatly impact young women, especially during their impressionable elementary and secondary education. These years are often the most vulnerable for girls who can form negative stereotypes around gender roles in STEM fields without strong female role models and engaging hands-on experiences, which we provide.
Forty-five percent of high school seniors in the USA aspire to a STEM career, but a gender gap exists.
High School Seniors Who Aspire to a STEM Career
- MEN 69%
- WOMEN 28%
Source: National Science Board, National Science Foundation. 2021. Elementary and Secondary STEM Education. Science and Engineering Indicators 2022. NSB-2021-1. Alexandria, VA. Available at
https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20211/
Women in the USA earn most bachelor’s degrees in psychology, biological sciences, and social sciences but much less in engineering, computer science, and physics.
Percentage of Bachelor´s Degree by Women in Engineering, Computer Science, and Physics
- ENGINEERING 24%
- COMPUTER SCIENCE 21%
- PHYSICS 24%
Source: National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). 2023. Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023. Special Report NSF 23-315. Alexandria, VA: National Science Foundation. Available at https://ncses.nsf.gov/wmpd.
In 2018, only a low percentage of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in science and engineering were awarded to minority women in the USA.
Percentage of degrees in Science & Engineering Awarded to Minority Women
- Bachelor in Science & Engineering 14%
- Master in Science & Engineering 12%
- Doctorate in Science & Engineering 7%
Source: National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). 2023. Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023. Special Report NSF 23-315. Alexandria, VA: National Science Foundation. Available at https://ncses.nsf.gov/wmpd.
The Community Bots program, that was supported by the US Embassy in Spain and in partnership with the “Fundación Secretariado Gitano,” engaged the hearts and minds of thirty young women who had never imagined they could be engineers. Seeing the girls build, program and test their robots was inspiring.
As The Community Bots expands their outreach in Latin America, their model
Duke Buchan III
Former U.S. Ambassador
to Spain & Andorra
of training teachers and students with community partners is a great way to encourage a new generation of women to seek STEM careers. I support The Community Bots and highly recommend their program which empowers girls and offers them opportunities. Education and inclusion are fundamental.
