National Instruments, FIRST Robotics, and you

Submitted by Ms.G on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 12:11am.
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Today's Statesman ran an article about a new partnership between National Instruments and the FIRST Robotics Competition.

The article referred to the national FIRST Robotics Competition national championships in Atlanta, and two Austin teams competing this year.

You can watch the competition, including Austin teams #418 from the Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) and #2468 from Westlake High School, in live broadcasts from the Georgia Dome via NASA web cast or Digital NASA TV Friday from 1:00 to 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 9:00am – 6:00 pm.

Major business support such as that of National Instruments is essential to making the FIRST competitions possible. But just as important is local support of local teams. For example, it costs the LASA Robotics team about $15,000 a year to participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition and to attend the regional and national competitions. The team does not receive funding from Austin Independent School District, and so depends upon support from local businesses, family members, and other fundraising activities (concession stands, car washes, gaming tournaments, and LEGO robotics camps).

Robotics teams and competitions are among the “best practices” for engaging students in science and math and inspiring them towards careers in technology and engineering. Since its beginning over 6 years ago, the LASA Robotics team has grown to over 50 members. Students, along with their teacher/coach and volunteer mentors (including a National Instruments engineer), devote countless hours after school and on weekends to design and build robots for each new competition. In addition, the team members conduct promotion and outreach to middle and elementary school students. Last year, all seven graduating seniors from the Team went on to college, and 5 declared majors in engineering. This Team has become a “showcase” piece of what AISD and LASA have to offer.

National Instruments has offered challenge grants to the 5 robotics teams in the central Texas area that currently participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition. We encourage local businesses to add their support to these teams through financial or in-kind donations. We also encourage individual professionals to consider volunteering with these teams. You just might be hiring these kids some day.

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