Killer Bees, Bionic Barons, Purple Raiders, More Martians To Invade FIRST Robotics Championship
AUBURN HILLS -- The Chrysler Foundation, the charitable arm of Chrysler Group LLC, announced additional grants totaling nearly $30,000 to support 10 Michigan high school robotics teams, which qualified to compete for the 2013 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Championship April 24-27 at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo.
The grants will help the teams offset costs associated with items such as registration fees; parts and materials; and team apparel.
Teams vying for the championship will compete in a high-tech version of disc golf, called Ultimate Ascent. During each match, two competing Alliances (each comprised of three robotics teams) will try to score as many flying discs into their goals as possible in 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Matches end with robots attempting to climb up pyramids located near the middle of the field.
"The Chrysler Foundation and Chrysler Group are proud to play a role in encouraging students to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education," said Jody Trapasso, Senior Vice President - External Affairs, Chrysler Group LLC and President of The Chrysler Foundation. "We wish all of the teams the best of luck as they embark on this exciting and rewarding challenge."
The teams secured their championship berths and the additional funds from The Chrysler Foundation as the result of their performances at regional and district competitions that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students. The Chrysler Foundation distributed grants to the following high schools:
Andover & Lahser High Schools, Bloomfield Hills - Bionic Barons
Bishop Foley Catholic High School, Madison Heights - Foley Freeze
Goodrich High School, Goodrich - More Martians
Grand Blanc High School, Grand Blanc - EngiNERDs
Macomb Academy of Arts & Sciences, Armada - Fighting PI
Notre Dame Preparatory School, Auburn Hills - Killer Bees
OSMTech Academy at Clarkston High School, Clarkston Team RUSH
Oxford Community Schools, Oxford - TORC
Pontiac High School, Pontiac - Wings of Fire
Rochester Adams and Stoney Creek High Schools, Rochester Hills - Adambots
The Chrysler Foundation is also providing additional funds to Assumption College Catholic High School (Purple Raiders) from Windsor, Ontario, bringing the total amount of grants awarded for the 2013 FIRST robotics season to more than $185,000. Over the past 17 years, The Chrysler Foundation and Chrysler Group have invested more than $1.7 million to support FIRST Robotics teams across the United States and Canada. Additionally, numerous Chrysler Group employees volunteer their time and talents to the teams, serving as team mentors and competition coordinators.
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. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
For more about FIRST in Michigan, visit www.firstinmichigan.org.
