There has been a nationwide push to get more women interested in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field and ComEd is doing its part through an Icebox Derby competition, which allows young inventors to build their electric cars from recycled refrigerators.
Amber Redmond, 16, from Trinity High School said she wanted to participate to prove that women are just as capable as men.
“Women have always been put on the back burner, they say we can’t do stuff so it’s a challenge, this is something we can do to show the world that we can do stuff like this, and it’s not just for men,” Redmond said.
The first Icebox Derby is designed for young women, 31 to be exact. The girls come from all over Illinois and have been placed in small teams of five to six. Each group is building an electric car that they will race in Aug. 23 at the Field Museum. The girls will meet for a total of six weeks at Derby Garage, 451 N. Wood St. They first began their project July 23. They meet every Wednesday in the evening. Working under the supervision of mentors from ComEd and its community partners, the girls are learning how to install an electric motor, how to set up steering and how to optimize car aerodynamics, among other skills.
“As a company who is invested in technology it’s important for us to invest in the future innovators that’ll help grow the company, help the success of the company in the long-run,” Michelle Blaise, senior vice president of technical services at ComEd said.
“We’ve also always been very invested in education and STEM education, as well as sustainability so this program enables us to do all of that together,” Blaise said.
One participant, Ariel Lott, 15, said she has been introduced to a new career just from working with the mentors. She never thought about becoming a lawyer who focuses in the engineering field.
She said she also enjoyed working with her team.
“It has been very good when it comes to being independent because we’re doing everything on our own and it’s very good when to comes to teamwork because each of us has to provide input on what we’re doing,” Lott said.
And Redmond said she enjoys the networking opportunity.
“This is very beneficial because you connect with the type of people who can relate to the same things that you like, so it’s a good thing and you never know, in the long run they can be very helpful to you and essential to your career,” she said.
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