March is Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science and Engineering Month and School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. is urging girls to get involved in robotics as a way to become interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Expanding Girls’ Horizons in Science and Engineering Month was created by the Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Network, a not-for-profit organization that encourages young women to pursue careers in STEM. According to the EYH Network, girls become most interested in these areas of study when they are in middle school.

This season, SBPLI had 85 teams compete in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League (FLL) Qualifying Tournaments; of those teams, 16 teams were fully comprised of Girl Scouts from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. In addition, the upcoming Long Island Regional FIRST Robotics Competition will host a team from The Brearley School and The Chapin School, two all-girls schools from New York City.

“It is encouraging to see girls and young women take part in our robotics programs, especially those who start early in our Junior FIRST LEGO League program,” said SBPLI Executive Director Joani Madarash. “Many of these young women who have gone through SBPLI’s programs have since graduated and continued their pursuit of STEM in college and in their careers. We urge all young girls to get involved in the robotics program, where you will learn about science and have fun as well.”