Dallas Teacher Launches STEM Teams for Girls After Student Request

Patricia Cortez, a Texas history teacher at the School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove, established a robotics team for girls after three third-grade students requested it. Initially, Cortez declined the request because the school’s existing team had just returned from the VEX Robotics World Championship with trophies and momentum. She explained that she lacked knowledge in robotics and programming, noting that she did not study engineering and feared losing if they attempted the new team.

The students persisted, telling Cortez that if the goal was learning, she could learn with them. This conversation led to the creation of the LadyBots. The initiative has since expanded to include LadyDronez, an aerial drone team for girls, and Girls and Gears, a student-organized workshop to introduce younger students to STEM activities.

Cortez, who has worked in Dallas ISD for 13 years, began her career at Casa View Elementary School, the same school she attended as a child. After forming the LadyBots, she researched the representation of women in STEM, specifically Latinas, and shared those findings with the students. She noted that the data impacted the girls and motivated them to continue the team and recruit more participants.

Cortez admitted that STEM required her to confront her own perfectionist habits. She stated that robotics taught her to accept failure as part of the learning process. She now teaches students that making mistakes is acceptable in STEM.

One student’s progress stands out to Cortez. During the student’s first drone competition, she refused to shout instructions to her partner. Cortez placed her in a skills division that required no communication. Over time, the student requested to join team events requiring collaboration. She practiced shouting instructions and eventually became team captain. She also expressed a desire to become a pilot. Cortez noted that the student previously disliked math but has since improved her scores and learned to advocate for herself.