FIRST Robotics Contest Needs Volunteers’ Help

By The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Feb. 18–Want to see what the next generation of America’s scientists are doing — and help them at the same time? Pittsburgh will host one of 35 regional FIRST Robotics Competitions from March 8-10, at the University of Pittsburgh’s Petersen Event Center. Volunteers are needed to staff the events, FIRST Robotics spokesman Doug Dusik said. Visit the FIRST Volunteer Web site at https://my.usfirst.org /vims/logon.lasso?page=logon. A short phone interview and two references are required for firsttime volunteers. FIRST Robotics Competitions give teams of high school students six weeks to build a robot capable of carrying out a yetunassigned task. The teams are mentored by high-tech advisers in efforts designed to encourage young people to pursue careers in science. Volunteers would work from about 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, plus the Wednesday evening before for orientation (and dinner). Certain positions require longer hours, and some of the functions don’t need a three-day commitment. “We’re particularly interested in volunteers to work as robot inspectors and safety advisors,” said John Marchiony, chief marketing officer for FIRST. A technical background is helpful, particularly for robot inspectors who will assess mechanical, electrical and pneumatic configurations. FIRST will provide training, he said. More volunteers are needed to help with field setup and takedown, registration, crowd control, referee duties and resetting the field after each match. Winners advance to the FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome, in Atlanta, April 12-14. West Virginia teams competing in the Pittsburgh event, according to the FIRST Web site, are: Academy of Careers and Technology/Kevin’s Electronics/Precision Electric Inc., Beckley. The team’s motto is, “If we can’t fix it, Junk it.” The robot is “The Junkyard Bot.” American Electric Power/ West Virginia Department of Vocational Education & Mingo Career and Technical Center and Mingo County Schools, Delbarton. The robot is “RoboRat.” American Electric Power/ National Armiture/Ralph R Willis Career-Technical Center/West Virginia Department of Adult-Technical Programs/Mayo Manufacturing & Logan County Schools, Logan. The team’s motto is “Students, Teachers, Technicians & Robot — United.” The robot is “STARbot.” FIRST needs volunteers age 16 and older.

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. Info: www.usfirst.org.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

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