FIRST Robotics 2011, 2010

OVER 1,000 AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT DURING THE OKLAHOMA ROBOTIC REGIONAL COMPETITION.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – March 21, 2011 – Attended by thousands of fans, families, educators and industry leaders, the FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Oklahoma Regional Competition awarded several teams with honors that rewarded design excellence, competitive play, sportsmanship and high impact partnerships between schools, businesses and communities. Held at the Cox Convention Center on March 17, 18 and 19, the 52 high school student teams competed to earn a spot at the FIRST Championship held April 27-30 in St. Louis, Mo.

With the hope of winning one of the several coveted awards, high school students worked with professional Mentors to design and build a robot over a six week period that solved a problem using a kit of parts and a standard set of rules. In this year’s robotics game, “LOGO MOTION™, teams competed on a 27-by-54-foot field with poles, attempting to earn points by hanging as many triangle, circle, and square logo pieces as possible. Many of the Robots earned extra points by deploying a Mini-Bot able to climb a vertical pole.

“This year’s challenge was really tough.  Each team clearly demonstrated teamwork, professionalism and strategic thinking,” said Mickey Clagg, chairman of the FIRST Robotics                                     Oklahoma Regional. “There was so much excitement and spirit in the audience.  It’s so refreshing to see teenagers so engaged and excited about a competition that inspires students to learn how math, science and engineering can be fun.”

Harold Holley, Executive Director of Oklahoma FIRST, said, “The Oklahoma students across the state who participate in FIRST experience the importance of teamwork, leadership, gracious professionalism and so much more.  That’s why our participation grows each year.  With the sustained support of the Oklahoma community, this robotics competition will continue to grow and inspire students to study math, science and engineering.”

Students participating in FIRST are eligible to apply for over $14 million dollars in scholarships from leading universities, colleges and companies. Since its beginning, FIRST has significantly improved students attitudes towards math, science and teamwork. The student’s interest in pursuing internship and employment opportunities in science and engineering has increased, especially with those companies that participate in the FIRST program.

Emily Ifill, a participant in FIRST Robotics when she was in high-school, came back to be a volunteer Mentor for the Roboducks from Francis Tuttle.  “Being involved with FIRST Robotics influenced my decision to go to OSU and major in Aerospace Engineering,” said  Ifill.

Dr. Woodie Flowers, Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a participant in the design of the FIRST Robotics Competition game each year, made a visit to the Oklahoma Regional on Friday.  He took time to visit the teams, address the audience, visit with sponsors and gather more student signatures on his shirt.  His shirt was covered with hundreds of signatures.  He says some day in the future, when the announcement is made of the next Nobel Peace Prize winner or a future President, he will likely have their signature on his shirt. He also commended everyone’s level of commitment to their teams and to the competition.  “What happened here at the Oklahoma Regional is exactly what FIRST is all about.  A bunch of young people and a bunch of dedicated adults had a stretch goal with a job too big, time too short and a budget too small.  And they made it work!”  Flowers has served as a National Advisor to FIRST since the inception of the FIRST Robotics Competition.

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. 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 support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and more than $14 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC® ) and FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC® ) for high-school students, FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL® ) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL™) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org ^[3].