MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT:              First Lego League (FLL) robotics tournament

WHEN:              Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009
                   7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

WHERE:             Sanford Middle School, 3524 42nd Ave. S., Minneapolis

Courage Center's Abilitybots Robotics Camp teams - Short Circuit and Lightning - are made up of kids ages 9-14 of all abilities (those with disabilities along with non-disabled kids). The teams began meeting in October on Saturday afternoons and culminates with participation in their first tournament on Saturday, Dec. 12. The teams are led by Courage Center staff and volunteers and Twin Cities Tech Connection. The teams were made possible by grant funding through Cummins Power Generation and the National Science Foundation.

FLL Regional Tournaments are full days, packed with opening and closing ceremonies, practice rounds, competition rounds, FLL volunteers judging teams' designs and teamwork, robot modifications, presentations, moving back and forth between a pit area and competition area, and other bits of chaos. It is a day when to celebrate our team's achievements.

About Courage Center:

Courage Center is a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center that advances the lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to health and independence. With four Twin Cities clinics, Courage Center specializes in treating brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, chronic pain, autism, and disabilities experienced since birth. Founded in 1928, Minneapolis-based Courage Center offers advanced technologies and innovation provided in part through the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors. For more information visit www.CourageCenter.org.

CONTACT:             Sue Warner, 763-520-0263
                     Sue Redepenning, 763-520-0202

Web site: http://www.CourageCenter.org/