60 high school teams from 11 states to meet and compete March 18–19

(BUSINESS WIRE) — March 15, 2011 — FIRST:

WHAT:		The 9th Annual FIRST Robotics Competition Chesapeake Regional. The FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual event that inspires the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. High school students design and build robots to compete in a fast-paced, sports-like challenge.
WHO:		Students on 60 high school teams from 11 states and Washington, D.C. – including 29 teams from Maryland – will bring their robots to Baltimore to compete in this year’s FIRST Challenge, called “LOGO MOTION™.” Click here for a full list of teams competing.
WHEN:		March 18–19, 2011
		9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, free and open to the public.
		Opening ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 18th.
		(Note: Media are welcome to attend the practice sessions on Thursday, March 17th, also from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
WHERE:		Baltimore Convention Center, 1 West Pratt Street, Hall A

*Media should contact Neil Franz (240-687-0127) or Bill Duncan (410-350-5031) to arrange for a VIP tour or an interview with a FIRST spokesperson.

The 2011 FIRST Robotics Competition Chesapeake Regional is presented by BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, NASA and SAIC. Additional sponsors include Constellation Energy, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. For more information, visit www.mdfirst.org.

About FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, New Hampshire, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and nearly $14 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) and FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) for high-school students, FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada), and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, visit www.usfirst.org.

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Contact:

BAE Systems
Neil Franz, 240-687-0127
Email Contact
or
FIRST
Bill Duncan, 410-350-5031
Email Contact