March 10, 2006

Grants for FIRST Robotics Would be Available to High Schools

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said she wants the state of Michigan to expand funding for high school robotics competitions to promote science and technology in the classroom. 
 
Granholm’s plan is designed to increase the number of schools participating in robotics competitions and, ultimately, to have a robotics team in every Michigan high school.  The Governor made her announcement while attending the FIRST Robotics Great Lakes Regional Competition at Eastern Michigan University.
 
“We must engage students in the study of science and technology so they have the tools they need to succeed in school and the 21st century workplace,” Granholm said.  “Robotics competition combines the excitement of sport with science and technology and is important in helping attract students to pursue these subjects in the classroom.”
 
Under the Governor’s 2007 budget proposal, the state would provide $2 million in School Aid Funds for grants to high schools to participate in FIRST Robotics Competitions.  The grants would be matched equally by the local districts.   
 
“This announcement from Governor Granholm is recognition that FIRST Robotics is on the right track,” said Francois Castaing, member of the FIRST Board of Directors.  “For the last few years, Michigan has been paving the way for other states to see the benefits of FIRST Robotics, and this new funding and commitment from the Governor helps make Michigan a beacon others can look to.  I believe the positive impact to FIRST will go well beyond our state.”
 
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational, non-profit organization that aspires to transform culture, making science, math, engineering, and technology as cool for kids as sports are today.  It was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor of the SEGWAY.   FIRST Robotics Competition combines the excitement of sport with science and technology to help high school students discover rewarding career opportunities in engineering or technological research.  Remote controlled robots, piloted by students, go head-to-head in short ball games, battling to earn points during a two-minute round.

The program is supported by more than 215 Michigan businesses, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors, along with Toyota Technical Center, U.S.A.
 
In 2006, the competition will reach more than 28,000 high-school students on over 1,125 teams in 33 regional events across the globe.  Michigan will host three regional competitions, more than any other state.
 
Approximately 2,500 Michigan students will participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition this year.  Michigan teams have been part of the winning national championship alliance four consecutive years (2002-05). 
 
More than $8 million in college scholarships are available nationwide to FIRST participants. Michigan universities and colleges that are FIRST scholarship partners for 2006 include: College for Creative Studies, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Henry Ford Community College, Kettering University, Lake Superior State University, Lawrence Technological University, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, and Wayne State University.
 
The state’s FIRST Robotics grant program would be administered by the Department of Education in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Economic Growth.