Engineering & Robotics

our Engineering Lab

TMLA's engineering lab is a hub for creativity and innovation. Thanks to the generous support of our alumnae and donors, the lab is equipped with state-of-the-art tools that are available to our students, including:

3D printers
A laser wood-etcher
Woodworking and metalworking machines
CNC machines

The late Sister Jane Fritz, CSJ sits in a chair, wearing a red jacket.

Our lab is named in loving memory of Caroline Tear Latham '79, and dedicated to the late Sister Jane Fritz, CSJ.

Sister Fritz introduced the computer science and mathematics programs to St. Joseph’s College. She was a trailblazer, becoming the first Sister to be admitted to several prestigious scientific societies.

She was also a Senior Member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (now IEEE).

The Steampunk Penguins

TMLA FRC Team 3204 - also known as the Steampunk Penguins - is our competitive robotics team founded in 2009 with the support of alumna and team mentor Kathy Rutherford '79, BEEE, MS BME. As New York City's only all-girls competitive robotics team, they are proudly registered with the FIRST Robotics Competition.

The team welcomes young women from all grade levels to participate. Together, they design, build, test, and program robots while applying real-world mathematical and scientific principles. Along the way, they develop critical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills—key assets for competitive tournaments.

The Steampunk Penguins serve as ambassadors for young women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). Together, they make STEAM accessible, inclusive, educational, and, above all, fun!

I was inspired to become a mechanical engineer by what I have experienced through my robotics team and through our mentor, Kathy Rutherford. Kathy has shown me that I CAN take my hobby of building Lego sets and solving puzzles and turn it into a career. Through her amazing guidance, I have met dozens of engineers in various fields, attended STEM-based seminars and camps, and have been exposed to work as a mechanical engineer. Through our robotics team, I have been inspired through many different projects, from designing and building a pneumatic-based claw to learning about the inner workings of a gearbox.

- Hanna Vojar, Class of 2025

Steampunk Penguins Gallery

Tournament Highlights

The TMLA Steampunk Penguins are an award-winning team. Check out some of their career highlights below.

March 2023

The Steampunk Penguins recently competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition Long Island Regional at Hofstra University. Over the course of 10 matches, the team and their robot, Sister Jane Fritz, achieved a 5-5 record, ranking 27th out of 47 teams.

The design of the robot and the team’s theme were inspired by trailblazing women in electrical engineering: Sister Jane Fritz, CSJ, and Edith Clarke. Both women broke barriers in their field, serving as powerful inspirations for our team to continue striving for excellence.

Congratulations to the Steampunk Penguins for their dedication and hard work throughout the season! Special thanks to their alum mentors—Loriana Donovan, Tori Quan, Kathy Rutherford, and Katherine Colin-Keta—as well as to the moderators, Mr. Kempski, Mr. Owens, and Mrs. K. Lynch.

April 2022

April 2019

On April 6th and 7th, 2019, TMLA competed in the New York City FIRST Robotics Regional Competition, where the Steampunk Penguins won the prestigious FIRST Jack Kamen Imagery Award for their “Women in Space” theme. This award honors excellence in engineering aesthetics, recognizing the seamless integration of the robot’s design and the team’s visual presentation. The team drew inspiration from recent female NASA recruits, as well as from Sally Ride, whose name was proudly displayed on both the robot and the team’s buttons.

TMLA alumnae Tori Quan ’17, Loriana Donovan ’16, Jessica Morales ’18, Yesenia Morales ’17, and Tiffany Camusci ’14 served as mentors, guiding the students in building the robot and developing the theme.

Women In Engineering Summer Camp

This week-long summer camp is designed for young women entering Grades 7, 8, or 9 who are eager to explore the role of innovation and engineering in their lives.

Participants will engage in hands-on, team-based engineering design projects, applying their creativity to develop engineering solutions. Our goal is to inspire, motivate, and encourage students to explore the diverse fields of engineering. By engaging with engineering during school, students will nurture their natural curiosity, build confidence, and discover that engineering can be a fun, exciting, and rewarding career.

Registration opens each Spring for a late-July start date, and space is limited. The cost of the program is $250 per student.

This program has been possible with thanks to Sisters Joan Killen and Grace Avila, CSJ for their supporting in the creation of the camp, well as to Jo-Ann Panzardi ’84 (currently the Chair of Engineering at Cabrillo College) for her support and development of the curriculum.

I was inspired to become an engineer through TMLA. I did TMLA's Women in Engineering Camp during the summer, because I wanted to meet other freshwomen before school started. During the camp, I learned all about engineering and got to meet our mentor, Kathy. She inspired me to become an engineer, and she continues to inspire all of us on the robotics team.

- Nithya Nair, Class of 2026