Provide STEM training and equipment for girls, young women, and their teachers in underserved communities around the world — along with academic and social-emotional support, so our aspiring scientists and engineers can pursue higher education and a STEM career.
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 Degrees Earned 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 small 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, supported by the U.S. 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 Community Bots expands its outreach in Latin America, its 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.
Dr. Anabella Martínez is the head of school at Colegio Sister Johanna in Barranquilla, Colombia, one of our partner schools. For 60 years, this remarkable all-girls school has provided free education to young women from vulnerable backgrounds, with a focus on entrepreneurial leadership and, thanks to Community Bots, STEM-robotics training.
Dr. Martínez holds a PhD in Education from Columbia University and recognizes the importance of transformational education. After our summer training program, she shared:
“Your facilitators infused a love of learning. Exposing our young girls
Dr. Anabella Martínez
Head of School, Colegio Sister Johanna, Barranquilla, Colombia.
to what is possible for them in STEM areas is the start of a future that will open up many paths for them.”
The measurable impact at Colegio Sister Johana includes:
– Gaining more confidence with digital skills
– Embracing the potential of STEM careers
– Enhanced problem-solving and logical thinking skills
– Improved collaboration and teamwork
Watch Dr. Martinez’s video to learn how Community Bots is helping the next generation of women in STEM.
Anielka Guadalupe Velasquez
Program alumna from Nicaragua. Anielka began her journey with The Community Bots in 2017 and is now a university scholarship student studying veterinary medicine.
A dedicated and determined young woman, she has always had a deep compassion for animals, guiding her toward a career perfectly suited to her passion. Despite significant challenges during high school, she remained committed to her education. Her perseverance is a powerful reflection of her strength and determination as she continues to pursue her dreams.
Anielka Guadalupe Velasquez
Program Alumna, Nicaragua
“The STEM program transformed my vision of the future because it helped me dismantle, from within, that stereotype that still lingers in our society: that there are men’s careers and women’s careers. Today, with more information and experience, I know that what truly matters are my abilities, my curiosity, and my perseverance — not my gender. The program not only gave me technical tools but also showed me real, successful, and diverse female role models who are already changing the world through engineering, technology, and science. Seeing them made me understand that my place is there too.”
