Angelbots: AHA’s Robotics Team Paving the Way for Women in STEM

The Academy of the Holy Angels is dedicated to fostering excellence through its robust STEM initiatives. A shining example of this commitment is Angelbots, the school’s all-girls robotics team. Providing students with hands-on experience in engineering, programming, and problem-solving, the Angelbots exemplify teamwork and innovation. Last year, they took the stage as one of the only all-female teams at the regional competition, an achievement that fueled their drive. This year, they are eager to build on that momentum and reach even greater heights.

Angelbots consists of two groups: the Varsity Team and the Training Team. The Varsity Team, which competes in events, consists of seasoned members, while the Training Team, comprised of younger and newer members. These students focus on learning the fundamentals of robotics, coding, and mechanical design.

Mentored by Math, Engineering, and Robotics Teacher Jing Loo, Angelbots members gain insight from an expert in the field. With over 17 years of teaching experience and a master’s degree in engineering from Columbia University, Mrs. Loo has been instrumental in helping students develop their technical expertise and leadership abilities.

Their most recent robotic creation featured advanced mechanical design, sensor integration, and precision coding, allowing it to execute complex maneuvers and compete at a high level. One of their proudest achievements this season was perfecting their self-lifting mechanism, which allowed the robot to hang from a bar, a complex task requiring careful engineering and repeated testing.

Angelbots competes at several regional and national competitions, including the First Tech Challenge (FTC), which is a worldwide robotics competition that encourages students to develop STEM skills in a high-energy, team-based environment. Each year, teams receive a new engineering challenge that requires them to design, construct, and program a robot capable of completing specific tasks. The Angelbots have embraced this challenge wholeheartedly, spending months designing, refining, and troubleshooting their robot in preparation for competition. Through this process, students gain practical experience in engineering, coding, teamwork, and leadership, skills that will serve them well in college and beyond.These challenges test their ability to innovate, strategize, and collaborate, skills that are critical for future careers in technology and engineering. Competitions like these offer more than just technical experience; they are vibrant, high-energy events where students test their skills against other schools, engage in collaborative problem-solving, and build lasting friendships. Despite competing against predominantly male teams, Angelbots have consistently held their own, showcasing the depth of their technical abilities and strategic thinking.

For the students involved, Angelbots is much more than a robotics team; it’s a space where young women develop confidence, leadership skills, and lifelong friendships. The team thrives on collaboration, with members bringing diverse skills to the table. Some specialize in coding, while others focus on mechanical construction, strategy, and problem-solving. This well-rounded approach ensures that everyone has a role to play and an opportunity to contribute. Beyond technical skills, the Angelbots program empowers young women to break barriers in STEM fields, where female representation remains disproportionately low. By competing in an all-girls team, students gain a sense of leadership and responsibility that may not always be available to them in co-ed environments. They take on critical engineering and decision-making roles, proving that young women have a vital place in the world of robotics and technology.

Student Spotlights:

Sofia Petriello: Sofia’s love for science and engineering began at an early age. She participated in STEM fairs and middle school robotics, often as one of the only girls on an all-boys team. When she joined Angelbots at AHA, she finally found a space where young women could lead, create, and innovate on their own terms. As part of the construction team, Sofia enjoys the challenge of taking a pile of metal and parts and transforming them into a fully functional machine. Her proudest moment? The first time their robot successfully executed a complex self-lifting maneuver, a task that required weeks of trial and error, late nights, and determination. Sofia is a legacy student at AHA, and her Angelbots journey continues through her two younger sisters, Gabriella and Adrianna, as they take on leadership roles and move up to the Varsity team. Beyond robotics, Sofia is a well-rounded student with deep interests in both STEM and the arts. She served as Vice President of AHA’s Red Cross club, was a member of Angels in Anatomy and Angels in Medicine, and co-president of the National Italian Honor Society. She also participated in the Academy Concert Choir and backstage crew for theater productions. Sofia is now attending Fordham University, majoring in biological sciences, and reports that robotics has influenced her perspective on problem-solving and innovation. She is especially interested in biomolecular engineering and lab research, fields where she can combine her passion for science, creativity, and hands-on experimentation.

Julianna Dail: From a young age, Julianna, also an AHA Legacy, had a passion for construction and engineering, which led her to participate in a summer robotics camp at AHA. There, she met Mrs. Loo, whose mentorship would later inspire her to join Angelbots upon enrolling in high school. For Julianna, the most rewarding part of Angelbots has been working alongside other young women who share her enthusiasm for STEM. Collaborating with teammates who specialize in coding, strategy, and mechanical design has made the experience incredibly fulfilling. A highlight of her journey was experiencing the camaraderie of robotics competitions, the excitement of competition, the joy of seeing their robot succeed, and even the fun moments in between, like sharing pizza with new friends from other teams. The all-girls environment of Angelbots has been instrumental in developing her confidence as a leader. Competing against predominantly male teams has shown her that women belong at the forefront of STEM innovation. Julianna is now pursuing a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT, where she hopes to continue breaking barriers for women in science and technology.

These graduates leave behind a thriving robotics program that will continue to grow, inspire, and innovate. Their experiences prove that young women belong in STEM, and they hope to encourage more students to join Angelbots, regardless of prior experience. For younger students considering the team, our graduates have the same message: “Don’t be afraid to try something new. Robotics will challenge you, but it will also teach you confidence, perseverance, and the ability to create something amazing. The Angelbots program is a testament to AHA’s dedication to empowering young women in STEM. With continued support, the team will undoubtedly continue to build, compete, and break new ground for future generations of female engineers and innovators.