PHOENIX — A group of children in Northeast Phoenix were able to sample the world of STEM as interns from one of the state’s largest technology companies demonstrated how the principles of science, technology, engineering, and math can be applied in a fun and competitive way.
The gym of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley’s Ed Robeson Branch was alive with laughter and cheering one July afternoon. Hundreds of Club Kids were rooting on their robotic vehicles as they navigated a predesigned course, trying to see who could finish the fastest.
Interns from the Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company partnered with groups of kids to build and race their robots.
“TSMC and our Club Kids are building robots together, and then they're going to race them off, using all their STEM skills, collaboration, and teamwork skills,” explained Marcia Mintz, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley.
Roughly 130 interns arrived at the Robson Branch to guide the kids in the building and racing of the small, four-wheeled robots.
“It's a chance for us to contribute to the community and do something exciting with the kids,” said Brian Harrison, President of TSMC Arizona. “To get them excited about technology, science, technology, engineering, and math.”
The race was a homecoming of sorts for one intern. Brandon Tanji, an Arizona State University engineering student, and intern at TSMC.
“It's inspiring to see our future and how I became,” Tanji explained. “I was one of them at one point and seeing that they can get to where I am within the local area: I went to the same community college, right across the street, I'm going to ASU, it's like 25 minutes [away], and then TSMC, another 25 minutes north. So, it's cool that everything's so local.”
After an hour of building and troubleshooting, the roar of student cheering erupted as the races began.
“When you support Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley, it's kids like you see today, really having that access and opportunity to learn, to grow, to participate in STEM program and really be the workforce that we want for the future,” Mintz said.
“It starts at the Boys and Girls Club, just working together and getting exposed to new experiences,” Tanji said. “Having people come in and just show them what they got. It's very interesting and very cool.”