For Release: Feb. 24, 1997

Michael Finneran
(757) 864-6121

RELEASE NO. 97-014

Tuesday, Feb. 25:

STUDENT-BUILT ROBOT AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

A robot built by students at Phoebus High School in Hampton will be available for viewing by the media from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the school.

Phoebus High School is at 100 Ireland St., Hampton. Media should stop at the Administration office to check in and receive directions.

The robot, built with help from NASA Langley Research Center, is scheduled to be packed up and sent off to a national competition later tomorrow.

NASA gave $30,000 to the school to participate in the Sixth Annual “For Inspiration Recognition of Science and Technology” (FIRST) high school robotics competition. The competition, founded in 1989, is designed to interest students in science and technology careers.

The Phoebus robot will compete against robots built by teams from across the U.S. More than 150 teams are expected to compete this year, including more than 10 fielded by NASA centers. Last year was the agency's first in the competition.

The teams will compete regionally March 20 at Rutgers University in New Jersey. The national competition will be held April 10 at Epcot Center, Orlando, Fla.

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