Feb. 23, 2009

Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726
dwayne.c.brown{at}nasa.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-030

ROBOTICS COMPETITION MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE IN WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON -- NASA, in cooperation with local technology firms, is
sponsoring the first-ever District of Columbia regional high school
robotics competition from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 27-28, at the DC
Convention Center in Washington. The two-day event is free and open
to the public.

The competition is called "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology," or FIRST. It is organized to inspire curiosity and
create interest in science and mathematics among today's high school
students. The competition is a unique varsity sport of the mind
designed to help discover the interesting and rewarding life of
engineers and researchers.

The local competition will include participation from more than 60
high schools teams from Virginia, Maryland, Washington and several
other states. Forty-five regional competitions also will take place
around the country. Championship competitions will occur in Atlanta
in April. NASA is the largest sponsor of the national FIRST program,
including support for five regional competition events and more than
280 teams.

The program was founded in 1989 by accomplished inventor Dean Kamen
to
inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people,
their schools and their communities. Based in Manchester, New
Hampshire, FIRST is a non-profit organization that designs
accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge
and life skills while motivating young people to pursue academic
opportunities.

For more information about the local competition and a listing of
competing teams, visit:

http://www.dc-first.org

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