FIRST Robotics Kicks Off 2009 Season

Michigan teams see nearly 13 percent growth despite economic turmoil

Detroit (WWJ) - FIRST in Michigan organizational leaders had a vision - dramatically increase the number of high schools and students involved in robotics at a time global economy dollars are shrinking.

It would only happen by making the formation of new teams easier, bringing more events closer to home, and streamlining logistics to lower costs.

The plan has worked - 134 teams have registered to compete in FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in Michigan during 2009, up from 118 teams last year. Included in those numbers - Detroit Public Schools participation has grown 50 percent, from 12 high school teams to 18.

The new strategy begins a major step today (Saturday) with the launch of the 2009 season - when every team across the country finds out for the very first time what the new "game/goals" will be, as FIRST changes the robotic tasks every year.  Michigan host sites are at Kettering University in Flint, Grand Valley State University (downtown Grand Rapids campus) and at Novi High School in Southeast Michigan.  The ceremonies and new game unveiling begin live at each site at 11:00 a.m. via a satellite television feed from FIRST's headquarters in New Hampshire.

In July, well before the most dramatic global upheaval in decades manifested, FIRST in Michigan announced a significant restructuring plan for event formats and cost.  It added seven (7) events at a district level - culminating with a state championship at Eastern Michigan University, April 2-4, 2009.  This pilot program is a dramatic departure from what the remainder of the country will experience during the 2009 FIRST season.

"Although we cannot claim to have known in advance the global economy would take such a downturn as we've experienced in more recent months, for the last couple years we knew dramatic changes needed to be implemented to reach more students and do so in a more cost-effective manner," said Bloomfield, Mich. resident and FIRST in Michigan Director, Francois Castaing.

"We need a steady flow of new engineers and technicians who will help existing and new industries tackle international competition and environmental challenges. Bringing district events closer to home and doubling the number of competitions per team for the same amount of money is key to reaching Michigan's engineering needs."

FIRST in Michigan is a new 501(c)(3) non-profit entity chartered by FIRST Robotics to launch this important initiative.  FIRST was developed, and is still guided, by worldwide accomplished inventor Dean Kamen, who understood the need to give teenagers a reason to get as excited about science and technology leaders as they do about sports heroes, if our society was to move forward.

"Unlike traditional sports where a tiny fraction of high school participants ever manage to turn pro, the FRC program is a varsity sport-of-the-mind in which everyone can turn pro," Castaing said. "This new Michigan model will also bring some district events right into high schools on a Friday while normal classes are taking place.  What more thrilling way is there for non-participating students to see how dynamic robotics is and want to join or start a new team?"

While the rest of the country will run the traditional regional events with teams from many different states competing, Michigan's new districts will involve only teams from our state. As a result, there will be seven Michigan district events in 2009, enabling all Michigan teams to compete at least twice within the state - for about the same cost as just one regional event under the old system. The districts provide an attempt to qualify for the Michigan State Championship, similar to sports tournament formats. From there, 18 teams will be eligible to advance to the international FIRST Championship to be held in Atlanta, Georgia in April 2009.