Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) talks about his vision of the future with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. Kamen discusses the important role technology does and should play in the education of youth and briefly discusses how FIRST competitions are assisting in this effort.
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/06/video-dean-kamen-makes-predictions-for-the-future/
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The Texas Workforce Commission along with Texas Governor Rick Perry, announced recently a $1 million investment from the Texas Workforce Commission to expand statewide student participation in robotics education programs.
Read more here: http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/13937/
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has announced that their World Championship held in April each year will be moving after this competition season!
The 2011, 2012, and 2013 Championships will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, according to recent reports from FIRST.
To learn more about the move and the FIRST organization, check out this press release. http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/content.aspx?id=15777
USA Weekend is once again hosting its "Most Caring Youth Coach" competition. Who better to receive the honor than a FIRST robotics coach!?!
Currently in its 17th year, the annual contest honors individuals dedicated to helping young athletes achieve excellence on and off the field. Coaches who work with children through high school are eligible. Three winners will be recognized at a Hall of Fame dinner and receive $1,000 for their team or a favorite charity.
Does your FIRST coach go above and beyond to ensure your team is at its best? If so, consider nominating him/her as the Most Caring Youth Coach! Entry deadline is February 2.
Contest rules and entry information available at www.usaweekend.com. And, since not everyone knows about FIRST, be sure to include a link to the FIRST website (www.usfirst.org) with your nomination to show how it is a "sport for the mind!"
Have you registered your FIRST LEGO League team yet? Registration is open - what are you waiting for?
Details? You want details? Okay, we can do that for you.
Registration opened May 1, and continues until all slots are filled. This usually happens sometime after mid-September.
The cost to register a FLL team this year is $200.
The FLL team registration process and fee do not include participation in an event. The tournament application process will open in October.
When you register, be sure to also order the Field Set-Up Kit for this year’s challenge, Power Puzzle. Without it, you won’t really be able to do much to practice for FLL competitions! The Field Set-Up Kits will begin shipping out on August 1.
FIRST LEGO League estimates that approximately 6,720 teams will register this year, and so far, 1,715 teams already have (as of June 14th)!
This is the tentative schedule for the season:
May 1 Registration Opens Mid-May Registration Materials and Robot Sets Begin to Ship August Field Setup Kits Begin to Ship September 5 International Challenge Release Mid-to-late-September Team Registration Closes/Last Day to Order Products October 1-12 Tournament Applications Accepted (If FLL is handling applications) November- January Tournament Season April 2008 World Festival
May 1 Registration Opens
Mid-May Registration Materials and Robot Sets Begin to Ship
August Field Setup Kits Begin to Ship
September 5 International Challenge Release
Mid-to-late-September Team Registration Closes/Last Day to Order Products
October 1-12 Tournament Applications Accepted (If FLL is handling applications)
November- January Tournament Season
April 2008 World Festival
Here are some links to useful pages at firstlegoleague.org:
Energy Resources - Meeting the Global Demand How do our personal energy choices to heat our homes, fuel our cars, charge our cell phones, power our computers, or even download music to our iPods impact the environment, economy, and life around the globe? Which resources should we use and why? Explore how energy production and consumption choices affect the planet and our quality of life today, tomorrow, and for future generations. Can FIRST LEGO League teams find the ultimate solution to this global Power Puzzle?