FIRST Robotics kicks off 2013 season Jan. 5

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A. Sue Weisler

Area FIRST Robotics competitors will learn about the newest game at the kick-off event Jan. 5 at Eastman Kodak’s Theater on the Ridge. Last year, more than 3,000 students, teachers and mentors participated in the exciting FIRST Robotics competition, Rebound Rumble.

Previous games were called Rebound Rumble, Logo Motion and Diabolical Dynamics. This year’s FIRST Robotics Competition game is still under wraps but will be announced during a live, nationwide telecast hosted by FIRST founder Dean Kamen at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 5 in Eastman Kodak’s Theater on the Ridge, 200 Ridge Road West.

Local teams also will receive the robot kits and equipment for the new competitive game at the kickoff and will be able to see a demonstration in preparation for the annual regional event.

More than 900 students, faculty and mentors from 50 regional teams are expected at the local kick-off event. Kamen, along with a group of supporters from industry, academia, government and entertainment, will describe the new game and its unique design challenges. Teams will then have six weeks to build robots for the regional competition Feb. 28–March 2 at Gordon Field House at Rochester Institute of Technology.

“The Finger Lakes Regional has a reputation for being one of the best regionals with top-notch competition,” says Glen Pearson, regional director. “With 50 teams registered, we anticipate another exciting, high-energy event.”

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) began in 1989 to spark interest in science through solving engineering problems in a friendly, intense competition. Winners from regional competitions across the country will participate in the national event April 24–27 in St. Louis.

Last year, the Finger Lakes Region was represented at the national competition by 11 schools including local teams Wilson Magnet, Penfield, McQuaid, Honeoye and Spencerport high schools.

Both the kickoff on Jan. 5 and the regional event in February are free and open to the public, Pearson adds. More information about the Finger Lakes Region FIRST Competition can be found at FIRST inspires website.

WHAT: 2012–2013 Finger Lakes Regional FIRST Robotics Kickoff
WHERE: Eastman Kodak’s Theater on the Ridge, 200 Ridge Road West
WHEN: 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Jan. 5

• 9–9:45 a.m.: Team registration and refreshments
• 10–10:30 a.m.: Regional news and welcome
• 10:30–11:30 a.m.: National broadcast with FIRST Founder Dean Kamen
• 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Demonstration on model playing field

Competition at the FIRST Robotics regional is intense, but competitors from area high schools practice gracious professionalism, one of the philosophies instilled through the FIRST organization. A. Sue Weisler