Feb. 26, 2004

Future space explorers to land at VCU center to compete in NASA/VCU Regional Robotics Competition March 4-6

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By Pattie Cook
VirginiaFIRST

WHAT:           An estimated 1,500 students, teachers and mentors from 63 high schools representing nine states and Canada will participate in the NASA/VCU Regional Robotics Competition ? an annual event that challenges high school students, working with professional mentors, to design and build a robot as a solution to a technical, engineering problem which changes every year. This year, robots are designed to perform a number of tasks as they participate in  ?FIRST Frenzy.? Teams will vie for regional awards celebrating creativity, sportsmanship, team spirit, technology, Web site design and animation submission.

Several teams will also attend the championship held April 15 -17 at The Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. The robotics competition is produced by FIRST, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and their communities.

For a listing of teams in your area, click here. The public is encouraged to attend, catch the excitement of this intense competition, and cheer on their favorite teams. Admission is free.

WHO:           Jeffrey Seaton ? Chief Technology Officer, NASA Langley Research Center (available for interviews March 4-5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

David Lavery, Ph.D. ? Program Executive for Solar System Exploration, NASA (available for interviews March 4-5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Ian McEwan ? Director of Program Operations, FIRST (available for interviews March 4-5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

                    Robert Mattauch, Ph.D. ? Dean, Virginia Commonwealth University
                    School of Engineering  (available for interviews March 4 from 9 a.m. to
                    5 p.m.)

WHEN:          Thursday, March 4:  8:00 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Robot testing and inspection 

Friday, March 5:       9:00 a.m. - 9:20 a.m. - Opening Ceremonies

          9:20 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Competition matches

Saturday, March 6:  9:20 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Competition matches

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Final competition matches

3 p.m. - Closing and Awards Ceremonies

WHERE:       VCU Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., Richmond, Va.


About FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and their communities. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With the support of many of the world?s most well-known companies, the non-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO? League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST and the FIRST Robotics Competition go to www.usfirst.org.