Robo Warriors Gather Annual "FIRST" Robotics Contest (FRC) Kickoff

The Wiesbaden High School RoboWarriors host their annual FIRST Robotics Contest (FRC) Kickoff and International Potluck Dinner.

FIRST (For Inspiration of Research Science and Technology) will reveal this year's game design by worldwide webcast at 1600 on the 9th of January (Saturday). We're inviting our parents, teachers, administrators, mentors, sponsors, and the media for an open house, some great food and some fantastic engineering fun.

The FIRST Robotics Contest is a nationwide event attracting thousands of high school students in a head to head engineering competition. Our team of 42 students will spend hundreds of hours fundraising, designing, building, and programming their sophisticated 130lb robot for competition in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada the first week of April. There's over $13 million in scholarships at stake. We hope you can attend as our honored guest.

From Last Year ...

About FIRST

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen (Segway Human Transporter) to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) combines the excitement of sport with science and technology to create a unique varsity sport for the mind. FRC helps high school students discover the rewarding and engaging process of innovation and engineering. Students can:

• "Play with the Pros" while they work with professional engineers
• Design, build and program robots
• Earn a spot at the Championship
• Qualify for over $9 million in scholarship funds

The FIRST Robotics Competition is a fascinating, real-world, professional experience and helps students see the value of education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Impact Overview ...

• 50% more likely to attend college
• Twice as likely to go on to major in science or engineering
• Three times as likely to major specifically in engineering
• More than twice as likely to volunteer in their communities

• Ten times as likely to have an internship with a company
• Four times more likely to expect to pursue a career in engineering

Source: Brandeis University Evaluation Information about FIRST

Notable Quotes ...

"We see FIRST's impact when young men and women who never dreamed of going to college are headed to a university on a FIRST scholarship to study science or engineering."
– Paul Gudonis, FIRST President

"FIRST isn't about robots, it's about developing life skills. The partnership between academia, community and industry…will build future employees and future citizens."
– Steve Sanghi, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Microchip Technology Inc. and Member of FIRST Board of Directors

"It's like life. There's never enough information. Never enough time. There's always competition and you need a strategy. We've created a microcosm of the real engineering experience."
– Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor