GRC NEWS RELEASE 02-016



02-016
For Release: March 8, 2002



Sally V. Harrington
Media Relations Office
216/433-2037
Sally.V.Harrington@nasa.gov


NOTE TO EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: First Buckeye Regional Robotics 
Competition 

<th>WHAT:</th> FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and 
Technology) BuckeyeRegional Robotics Competition

WHEN: March 14 8 a.m.-Noon Robot Testing and Inspection

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Practice Rounds  
March 15 9 a.m. Opening Ceremony Keynote Speaker:Louis Stokes  
9:30 a.m-5 p.m. Seeding Matches  
5 p.m. Awards Presentation
Keynote Speaker:Rich Clifford  
6:30 - 10 p.m. Team Party at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame  
March 16 9 a.m. Opening Ceremony
Keynote Speaker:Dean Kamen  
9:30 a.m.-Noon Seeding Matches

1-3 p.m. Final Rounds

3 p.m. Awards Presentation
Keynote Speaker: Honorable Jane Campbell  
<th>WHO:</th> Student teams from 58 high schools in 8 states will 
battle for an opportunity to win this regional competition and 
advance to the Championship Competition.

<th>WHERE:</th> Cleveland State University's Convocation Center in 
Cleveland, Ohio 2000 Prospect Avenue (between E. 12 and E. 18 
Streets)


Media representatives are welcome to do interviews and videotape 
throughout the 3-day event. They must enter at Gate A and stop at the 
Media Desk to receive a press kit. Contact Sally Harrington, Media 
Relations Office at Glenn for further information.



Additional information follows this release.



Further information about the FIRST Buckeye Regional Robotics 
Competition can be found at:             
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/OEP/first/regional/index.htm



Additional information about FIRST is located at:
http://www.usfirst.org



# # #


First Buckeye Regional Robotics Competition Information Sheet 


Agenda:



March 14 - At 9 a.m. the teams begin uncrating their robots. Teams 
will be checking over their robots in preparation for inspection and 
testing them out in practice rounds.

March 15 - Opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. Seeding matches throughout the 
day. Awards ceremony at 5 p.m. Team party at Rock and Roll Hall of 
Fame 6:30 to 10 p.m.

March 16 - Seeding matches conclude Saturday morning. Final 
competition between 1 and 3 p.m. Awards ceremony immediately 
following.



Action:



On the Playing Field - During each match, three teams guide their 
remote-controlled robots around a playing field gathering balls, 
putting them into goals and placing those goals in their scoring 
zones while simultaneously trying to keep each other from succeeding.

In the Pits - Teams furiously working on their robots between rounds 
to perfect them. Capture the anticipation, tension and frustration 
these young people are experiencing.

In the Stands - Team members, teachers, mentors, sponsors and parents 
cheering the teams on and shouting encouragement from the sidelines 
and stands.

At the Machine Shop - Skilled volunteers--engineers and technicians 
from Glenn--assisting teams with emergency repairs while working 
against the clock.

At the Team Party - Time for rest and relaxation at the Rock and Roll 
Hall of Fame



Competitors:



Twenty-three teams awarded scholarships by Glenn making it possible 
for them to compete in the Regional.

Teams from 8 states participating - Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West 
Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and California.

Local high schools competing - Beachwood, Bedford, Cleveland Central 
Catholic, Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, East Tech, Glenville, 
Max Hayes, Rhodes and Shaw.



Local Veteran Teams:



East Technical High School has been participating in the FIRST 
robotics competition since 1994. They were the first team sponsored 
by Glenn and the first team sponsored by a NASA center.

James Ford Rhodes High School, also sponsored by Glenn, has competed 
in the FIRST robotics competition since 1999.

Beachwood High School and Max Hayes Vocation High School were rookie 
teams in the 2001 competition, sponsored by Glenn.



Special Guests:



Honorary Chair, Louis Stokes, Former Member of Congress

Honorable Jane Campbell, Mayor of Cleveland

Donald J. Campbell, Director, NASA Glenn Research Center

Guest of Honor, Rich Clifford, Boeing Director of Space Station and 
Operations and Utilization

Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST



Event Sponsors:



NASA Glenn Research Center

Battelle

CAMP, Inc (Cleveland Advanced Manufacturing Program)

CAPRA (Cleveland Aerospace Partners' Regional Alliance

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Greater Cleveland Growth Association

The Cleveland Indians

Cuyahoga Community College

Eaton Corporation

The George Gund Foundation

Key Bank

OAI (Ohio Aerospace Institute)

The Plain Dealer

QSS Group, Inc.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Swagelok

ZIN Technologies



Planning Committee:



NASA Glenn Research Center

Battelle

Beachwood Board of Education

BP

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland Municipal School District

Cleveland State University

Cuyahoga Community College

Greater Cleveland Growth Association

OAI (Ohio Aerospace Institute)

Paragon TEC

The Plain Dealer

QSS Group, Inc.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

	
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