Institute of Technology hosts robotics competition
kick-off event

U to host regional event in 2008

Hundreds of high school students from Minnesota and area states gathered at the University of Minnesota in January to kick off the 2007 FIRST Robotics Competition.

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in about six to eight weeks using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. The game rules are a surprise every year. Teams build robots and enter them in a series of competitions. The nearest 2007 regional competition is in Milwaukee on March 8-10. The University of Minnesota Institute of Technology is sponsoring a regional competition in March 2008.

While the robots resemble some of the battle bots seen on cable TV, FIRST redefines winning for these students. Teams are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism, and ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal.

Generous sponsorships of local teams by Boston Scientific, Medtronic and other corporations have provided the resources that teams need to build the robot. The cost of building the robot and competing is about $10,000 per team so securing sponsorships is a key step in the process.

The number of teams in Minnesota competing in the event has grown from two last year to 16 this year. Teams include Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Edina, Fridley/Columbia Heights, Hopkins, Irondale, Minneapolis Southwest, Prior Lake, Visitation (Mendota Heights), Wayzata, White Bear Lake, Woodbury, and Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Faribault).

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), started by inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, is an organization dedicated to helping young people discover the interesting and rewarding lives of engineers and researchers.