News and Information about Kettering


Jan. 08, 2008

FIRST Rookie Regional set

From CEOs to Michigan’s Gov. Jennifer Granholm to teachers in the classroom, almost everyone agrees that the key to a successful Michigan lies in the state becoming and remaining the leading technology, R&D and engineering center of the United States. 

Kettering University in Flint is helping the region make a step closer to that.  Kettering will host a “first in the country” national pilot program for FIRST Robotics when the “FIRST Robotics Rookie Regional” debuts on campus in March 2008.  The “FIRST Robotics Rookie Regional” will be in Kettering’s Rec Center March 7 through 8. 

Kettering was singled out for the national honor because of the University’s support of FIRST Robotics through its national scholarship program, the popularity of its Kettering Kickoff robotics contest, and Flint’s central location in Michigan, said Bob Nichols, founder of the Kettering Kickoff.  “The FIRST Robotics Rookie Regional in March will also be a first-time look at the 2008 game that will be used during the national championship rounds,” Nichols explained.  “This really is an honor for our University.  We have built a national reputation of success with the Kettering Kickoff.” 

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a national effort to showcase science and engineering as fun, especially to elementary, middle school and high school students.  FIRST Robotics is particularly focused on high school students in grades 9-12.

The “FIRST Robotics Rookie Regional” has a specific purpose – to offer a low-cost way for new teams to begin to compete in FIRST, said FIRST official Francois Castaing.  “One of the most difficult things perceived about high schools creating a new FIRST Robotics team is the uncertainty of how best to start, how to measure growth and how to be successful competing with and against teams that are more experienced.  FIRST Robotics of Michigan believes this new concept is the answer.”

Read more at:  Michigan FIRST Robotics competition adds new 'rookie regional'  or visit: www.ketteringroboticscompetition.com 

Located in Flint, Kettering University is the home of the country’s most modern co-op program.  The Kettering Kickoff is hosted each September for high school robotics teams.

Written by Pat Mroczek and FIRST news sources
(810) 762-9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu


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