By: Ashmar Mandou
Over 30 young aspiring female inventors are in the process to compete in ComEd’s new initiative “Icebox Derby.”
ComEd’s “Icebox Derby,” co-sponsored by Girls4Science, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and the Chicago Urban League, is designed to educate, empower, and encourage young women to explore opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math.)
The “Icebox Derby” project, a challenge which began July 16th, is a six-week long project that consists of six teams of girls, aged 13-18, to build electric race cars out of recycled refrigerators. With the help from ComEd and its community partners and STEM experts, young girls like Alma Gonzalez and Sofia Santamaria, rely on teamwork to complete weekly assignments in order to obtain real world experience and comprehend some of the ways STEM subjects they learn in school.
“We are excited to launch this year’s inaugural Icebox Derby, which underscores our commitment to STEM education, and look forward to providing a creative platform for these young women to develop their skills, while showcasing their tenacity, ingenuity and talent,” said Anne Pramaggiore, President and CEO of ComEd, in a statement. “As the local electric utility in Northern Illinois, we understand that it is our responsibility to help power the communities we serve, not just today, but in the future. In addition to our commitment to advancing the reliability and sustainability of the services we provide, we are invested in helping to cultivate the young people who will become the nation’s next generation of innovators.” Each week, the teams participate in a series of challenges that put their STEM skills to the test as they continue to build their “Icebox Derby” cars. Lawndale Bilingual Newspaper had the chance to speak to Gonzalez and Santamaria about how the “Icebox Derby” is furthering their passion for STEM. The “Icebox Derby” race day will take place August 23rd at 1pm at The Field Museum. For further information, visit www.theiceboxderby.com.
Sofia Santamaria – age 13 – incoming freshman
Team name: #ChilliCrew
How does it feel to participate in the first ever Icebox Derby?
Very rewarding. Not many girls can do this and it’s a great feeling to know I can.
How did you hear about the competition?
I heard about it through Girls4Science. (An organization she’s been with for about 1 year)
How are you enjoying the competition, so far?
It’s been really fun! I get along with everybody great. What has been your experience working with inspiring female inventors? Very cool. I’m enjoying doing what I like to do most with other girls who like the same things too!
By working alongside ComEd and other community partners, please describe why it is so important to have a program like this that encourages young girls to get involved in the STEM field?
It seems like it’s mostly men that are involved in science and not enough girls. It’s great that ComEd is providing a program for girls who want to be in STEM.
What have you enjoyed most about participating in the competition?
Meeting new people and learning how to work together and figure something out. It’s also cool learning how to work with wires!
Alma Gonzalez – age 15 yrs – sophomore
Team name: #GirlsOnIce
How does it feel to participate in the first ever Icebox Derby?
It feels great; I’m one of the first people to experience an Icebox Derby and this program will go on!
How did you hear about the competition?
My Girl Scout leader introduced me to it and I thought it was a great opportunity.
How are you enjoying the competition, so far?
Great. Everybody is really nice.
What has been your experience working with inspiring female inventors?
What I really admired is after getting to know each other, we got right down to business. It’s a friendly competition.
By working alongside ComEd and other community partners, please describe why it is so important to have a program like this that encourages young girls to get involved in the STEM field?
It’s important because girls don’t always know about all the things they can do. It lets girls know they can do whatever they want to do if they put their mind to it.
What have you enjoyed most about participating in the competition?
The communications and making new friends. I get to share this with my friends. They are really proud of me and think it is so cool. My friends tell me that my summer is SO cool and I say, “Yes, it is!”
