Schools

Walton Robotics Hopes to be FIRST

World's largest competition for young technology leaders is underway in St. Louis.

The Walton Robotics team is in St. Louis through Saturday to vie in the world's largest science and technology competition, which will award nearly $15 million in scholarships.

The event's organizers— FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) nonprofit organization—will host the international competition at the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center

The FIRST Championship combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources and time limits, teams build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. 

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Nearly 11,000 young American and international students, who have worked alongside 90,000-plus coaches, mentors and volunteers, have earned the right to compete at this championship. 

Walton, which began its robotics program in 2008, was invited after recently winning the 2011 Smoky Regional competition

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This week's event showcases student teams from the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC-big robots) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC- small robots), both for high-school-age students; FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for elementary and middle-school students; and Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6- to 9-year-olds.  

"We've seen a 25 percent growth in the number of teams across all of our programs this year," said FIRST spokesperson Dennis Garrigan.

"The increased number of competition sponsors also designates that companies and institutions are solidly behind the concept of fostering innovation in youth."

This year's competition is sponsored by a range of companies and organizations:  AT&T, Siemens, the U.S. Air Force, Abbott, Autodesk, BAE Systems, SAIC and United Technologies, The Boeing Company, Coca-Cola, glacéau vitaminwater, the National Defense Education Program (NDEP), FedEx Corporation, NASA, UL,  Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening, Google, Maryville University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Central Intelligence Agency, Honda, and Rolls Royce.

FIRST founder Dean Kamen is an inventor and entrepreneur. The organization was launched in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. According to the group's background materials, the non-profit team now based in Manchester, NH, designs accessible programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills.

Editor's Note: Here is an initial schedule. NASA is webcasting it.


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