Live Kick off in Tampa at SOFWERX one of over 100 events worldwide on January 7!
More than 83,500 High-School Students Worldwide Eager for Unveiling of 2017 Robotics Challenge: FIRST STEAMWORKSSM
Over 3,340 Teams Participate through Twitch Livestream Media Invited to Attend Local Kickoffs in 123 Venues Worldwide
Who: FIRST ® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) will be joined by numerous public figures to launch the 2017 season of the FIRST® Robotics Competition – FIRST STEAMWORKSSM – with a worldwide Kickoff event originating from Manchester, N.H.
- The 2017 season will include over 3,340 teams (83,500 high-school students), grades 9-12, participating in 145 Regional and District events.
- At Kickoff, teams will be shown the FIRST STEAMWORKS game field and challenge details for the first time, and will receive a Kit of Parts made up of motors, batteries, control system components, construction materials, and a mix of additional automation components – with limited instructions.
- Teams will have six weeks to design and build a robot to meet this year’s engineering challenge.
Dignitaries and public figures will deliver remarks on video and in person, including:
- Dean Kamen, President, DEKA Research & Development and Founder,
FIRST;
- Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST Distinguished Advisor, and Co-Chair of the
FIRST Executive Advisory Board; Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of
Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
- Donald E. Bossi, President, FIRST;
- FIRST students & special guests including: Special Guests: Brian Andrews
– Deputy Director, SOFWERX ; Terri Willingham, Regional Director, FIRST, Central Florida, Dr. Robert Bishop, Dean of Engineering, University of South Florida, speakers from SOCOM and more
- Participating teams are also receiving mini grants of $550 each, courtesy of the Doolittle Institute
- Dean Kamen, President, DEKA Research & Development and Founder,
What: Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. The FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual competition that challenges high-school students – working alongside professional Mentors – to construct a robot and compete in the ultimate Sport for the MindTM that measures the effectiveness of each robot, the power of teamwork and collaboration, and each team’s display of Gracious Professionalism®. Through their participation, students experience the excitement of science,
MEDIA CONTACT:
Theresa Willingham TWillingham@FIRSTInspires.org 813-728-2822
engineering, technology, and innovation; build well-rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication, and leadership; and qualify for $30 million in college scholarships.
When: Saturday, January 7, 2017 Doors open at 9am for teams.
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Twitch Livestream
Where*: SOFWERX (Not open to public but *OPEN TO ALL MEDIA: If you would like to
attend as media, please contact Brian Andrews at brian.andrews@sofwerx.org)
- The SOFWERX kick off is one of 123 Kickoff events worldwide: U.S. and international FIRST teams will tune in via Twitch livestream. Access the webcast via http://firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/2017-broadcast
- To locate teams in your area, visit http://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search or contact your FIRST Regional Director http://www.firstinspires.org/find-local-support.
2017 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff Event Locations:
For a listing of local Kickoff locations, visit: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/kickoff.
Photo Opp.:
FIRST will unveil the details of the new 2017 robotics competition game after the speaker program. Students will review the game video, confer with mentors and SOFWERX engineers and inspect the challenge in order to develop strategies for robot construction, and to determine if they will play offense, defense, or both. They’ll receive their robot build kit of parts after the video, and rookie teams are able to open their kit of parts for inventory, which presents a great photo opportunity.
Livestream Link:
http://firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/2017-broadcast
Media Notes:
High resolution photos of previous FIRST competitions are available in the Photo Gallery: http://www.firstinspires.org/node/1961.
- Photos available day of event after 10am by contacting Theresa Willingham, at 813-
728-2822 or emailing her at TWillingham@FIRSTInspires.org
- Interviews with speakers at the Kickoff event in Tampa available by contacting:
Theresa Willingham the day before the event. ## #
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 over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $30 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League for Grades 4-8; and FIRST® LEGO® League Jr. for Grades K-4. 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.firstinspires.org