Registration Open for FIRST(R) Robotics Competition Arizona Regional 2011

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Any High-School Student Participating on a FIRST Team Eligible to Apply for over $12 Million in Scholarships

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AZFirst, an Arizona 501(c)3 organization supporting FIRST(R) (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) activities and the recipient of a $150,000 grant from Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz), announces the opening of registration for high-school robotics teams for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Arizona Regional 2011. FIRST connects high-school students, educators, the community and industry in a collaborative effort to teach students Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) principles through a team-driven robot-building project that culminates in an exciting, fast-paced, robotics competition. All students who participate on a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team are eligible to apply for more than $12 million in scholarships.

Registration runs from Sept. 30-Nov. 1, 2010 at http://www.microchip.com/get/0SH7 for the FRC Arizona Regional 2011, which will be held March 18-19 at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. The game will be announced Jan. 8, 2011, via worldwide NASA broadcast. At that time, the teams will pick up their kit of parts and, with the help of mentors from industry, will have six weeks to design, build and ship their robot to the event. Each robot weighs approximately 120 pounds, and the teams work in an alliance, with six robots on the field at a time. The season will culminate in the FRC Championship, which will be held in Atlanta, Ga. on April 27-30, 2011.

Microchip Technology is the Organizing Sponsor for the FRC Arizona Regional, along with other sponsors, including ON Semiconductor, the Craig and Barbara Barrett Foundation, Medtronic and US Airways. More sponsors are currently being sought to support both the teams and the competition. The event is free and open to the public.

With the $150,000 matching-funds grant from Science Foundation Arizona, more teams can be created in underserved demographics, to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to enhance students' STEM skills. In addition to technology skills learned through the hands-on experience of building, designing and programming the robot, participants have an opportunity to work with industry mentors, and to enhance their life skills, such as critical thinking, team building and project management.

Carol Popovich, Principal Investigator for the grant and Arizona FIRST Regional Director, said, "This matching-funds grant provides a unique opportunity for industry to help build a workforce that has not only the technical skills needed to improve the economy in Arizona, but also provides the life skills needed for success in whatever career they choose. By supporting this effort, we are accepting the responsibility to make a difference in the lives of children by opening up new experiences to them."

For more information about FIRST in Arizona, contact Carol Popovich at (480) 792-7938 or first@microchip.com. For more information about Science Foundation Arizona, contact Pati Urias at (602) 568-9763 or PSUPRconsultants@gmail.com.

About Science Foundation Arizona

Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization initiated in 2006 by the Greater Phoenix Leadership Inc., Southern Arizona Leadership Council and the Flagstaff Forty in conjunction with the executive and legislative branches of state government. SFAz serves as a catalyst for high-wage, knowledge-based jobs and economic diversity through administration and strict oversight of research, development and education grants to public education and other non-profit research performing institutions. For more information, visit http://www.microchip.com/get/CS89.

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. For more information, visit the FIRST Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/0SH7.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip Web site at http://www.microchip.com/get/99V3.

Note: The Microchip name and logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A., and other countries. FIRST is a registered trademark of FIRST in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are property of their respective companies.

Tags / Keywords: robot, FIRST, Dean Kamen, technology, science, math, robotics, engineering, education, STEM, Microchip, MCHP 


    Source: Microchip Technology Inc.

Released September 29, 2010