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Innovative Robotics Platform Opens New Doors for Young People Learning About Science and Technology
27 April 2005
Fifty-two teams of high school students converged on the Georgia Dome in Atlanta this past weekend as part of the FIRST Vex Challenge, a new intermediate level of competition at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship, the world's leading robotics competition. RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH - News) created the FIRST Vex Challenge in cooperation with FIRST to open doors for more high school students to get involved in robotics, and the reaction was non-stop fun and excitement as the students put their robots to the test in a series of heart-pounding matches. On Friday, RadioShack and FIRST announced the winners of the FIRST Vex Challenge Winning Alliance Award -- "The Raiders" of Fort Worth, Texas, "Epsilon Delta" of Herndon, Virginia and "The Grady Scouts" of Atlanta, Georgia.
"I couldn't be happier for our team. They did not have any previous robotics competition experience, but they worked hard and figured out this challenge all by themselves," said Raiders team mentor and coach Michael Sweeney. "The alliances we formed for the finals made the experience all the better. We had worked really well with both teams in earlier rounds and were really happy we can share in this award with them."
In addition to the award given to the winning alliance, six other teams that competed in the FIRST Vex Challenge received awards for excellence in technical skill, teamwork, communication, spirit and performance:
* FIRST Vex Challenge Think Award: Given to "C.H.A.O.S." of Central High
School in Manchester, New Hampshire, for being the team who had the
best "journey" during the design process as judged by journals the
team kept during the month-long process.
* FIRST Vex Challenge Create Award: Given to "Zor" of the Governor's
School for Science & Mathematics in Hartsville, South Carolina, for
being the team that had the most innovative and creative design to
meet the challenge.
* FIRST Vex Challenge Build Award: Given to "The Lasers" of Southside
High School in Atlanta, Georgia, for being the team that designed the
best robot for the competition.
* FIRST Vex Challenge Connect Award: Given to "The S.H.I.R.T." of
Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia, for having a mentor
that best exemplifies FIRST's core values of gracious professionalism.
* FIRST Vex Challenge Amaze Award: Given to the "Carolina Roboteers" of
Carolina High School in Greenville, South Carolina for being the team
the judges felt deserved special recognition, though they did not
necessarily qualify for any of the other awards.
* FIRST Vex Challenge Award: Given to "Bolts and Nuts" and "Live Wire,"
both from Singapore and both chosen by their peers for demonstrating a
combination of excellent robot design, teamwork and cooperation.
RadioShack and FIRST developed the competition to open up robotics to even more students than the thousands who already participate in the FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Robotics Championships.
"The FIRST Vex Challenge was the culmination of months of preparation and practice for these teams, and it was amazing to witness the creativity that went into the design of their robots and the excitement on their faces during the challenges," said Don Carroll, senior vice president, chief marketing and brand officer for RadioShack. "In our minds, everyone here is a winner for making it this far and learning something new about science, technology and most importantly, teamwork. RadioShack is proud to partner with FIRST and help further their mission to inspire more kids to pursue careers in these fields."
"Vex was a hit with high school students and teachers, and a great way to get more people involved in robotics," said Paul Shay, executive director for FIRST. "We are thrilled to have RadioShack as a sponsor. Their commitment to bringing innovation and technology to their customers is a terrific fit with the FIRST mission and Vex is the newest example of that commitment."
About the Vex(TM) Robotics Design System
The FIRST Vex Challenge also served as the official launch of the Vex(TM) Robotics Design System -- a breakthrough robotics line available exclusively at RadioShack that allows young people and teachers to explore the possibilities of science, technology, engineering and math in an entirely new way. Inspired by FIRST, Vex Robotics provides young people with everything they need -- chassis, wheels, motors, gears, a controller and more -- to build virtually any robotic device the mind can conceive. Whether designing a robot that lifts, jumps, throws or races, young inventors are limited only by their own imagination and skill level.
The Vex starter kit is currently available exclusively at RadioShack at a MSRP of $299, significantly less than other robotics products on the market, making it accessible to many more students and teachers. A portion of all Vex proceeds will go to FIRST, a not-for-profit organization founded by Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.
The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute, one of the largest and most respected robotics programs in the country, was also an instrumental partner in the development of Vex. Professors from the Institute developed the Vex User's Guide, and are working closely with FIRST and RadioShack to create K-12 robotics curriculum for teachers in schools across the country.
The Vex starter kit comes with over 500 parts including three variable-speed motors, a programmable micro-controller, multiple gears, various wheel types and a configurable chassis. RadioShack is also offering an assortment of accessories, ranging in price from $5.99 to $129.99, which allow people to enhance the performance and functionality of their robots. These accessories include a Transmitter/Receiver Add-On Kit, Bumper Switch, Metal and Hardware Kit, Servo Kit, Motor Kit, Wheel Kit, Gear Kit, Vex Power Pack, Crystal Upgrade Kit, Limit Switch Kit and Safety Goggles.
Since building a robot for the first time can be challenging, Vex Robotics offers inventors an interactive website to find support and inspiration. The site -- www.vexrobotics.com -- will offer free robot challenges, access to community features such as robot galleries, competitive events and links to FAQ message boards.
About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., 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 the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the non-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high-school students and the FIRST LEGO(TM) League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
About RadioShack Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas-based RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH - News) is the nation's most trusted consumer electronics specialty retailer and a growing provider of business-to-business retail support services. The company operates a vast network of sales channels, including: nearly 7,000 company-owned and dealer stores; almost 100 RadioShack locations in Mexico; more than 500 SAM'S CLUB wireless kiosks; and a growing number of mall-based Sprint PCS wireless kiosks. RadioShack's knowledgeable and helpful sales associates deliver convenient product and service solutions within five minutes of where 94 percent of all Americans either live or work. For more information on RadioShack Corporation, visit www.RadioShackCorporation.com. To learn more about RadioShack products and services or to purchase items online, visit www.RadioShack.com.
Contact:
Andrew Wong / Brooke Hovey
GCI Group
(415) 974-7235 / (323) 930-0811 x133
awong@gcigroup.com / bhovey@gcigroup.com
Charles Hodges
RadioShack Corporation
(817) 415-3300
media.relations@RadioShack.com
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Source: RadioShack Corporation
Source: PR Newswire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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