March 4, 2009 - Complete with loud music, cheer leading, flashing lights and major enthusiasm, the FIRST robotics regional championships are coming to Boston, San Diego, San Jose, and 38 other cities. Six weeks of hard work by high-school students and their mentors, including Sun employees and families, will be put to the test in these competitions.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit (started by Dean Kamen of Segway fame) that organizes robotic competitions which reach 196,000 students in over 40 countries. FIRST's mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

If you're curious to learn more about these robotics teams - for your kids, or for yourself as a potential volunteer - watching a regional competition is the way to find out. It's fun and it's free! Many Sun employees have signed on to coach or mentor, and Sun is backing them up with volunteer recruiting and advice, matching gifts, and technical assistance. Sun Labs, CA, is sponsoring the Palo Alto High School Robotics team: "Team 8."

Other teams mentored and sponsored by Sun folks include:

Burlington HS Team 2876, Maciej Wiczynski, Mentor

Nashua HS Team 151, Brian Utterback, Parent/Sometimes Mentor

Lawrence HS Team 1289, Art Rousmaniere (Sun alum), Mentor

Mechanical Mayhem, Team 1519, Noel Poore, Coach,

Leland Robotics Team 604 (Quixilver), Shernik Mehta, Mentor

FIRST Robotics @ Sun has details about attending FIRST events or how you can get more involved with FIRST. If you have a child on a team or are sponsoring/mentoring a team, please add the information to the FIRST Robotics @ Sun WIKI.

You can search for events in other cities at the FIRST website. Sun will also be at the New Technology booth at the FRC Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, April 16-18 at the Georgia Dome.

Here's a short list of Regional Championships near major Sun campuses:

2009 FIRST Robotics Competition Regional event information.

If this is your first time to a FIRST event you may want to check out Event Tips.

Additional Links: