CTL Enables the Next Generation of Innovators as Silver Supplier for the FIRST Robotics Competition
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) January 07, 2015 -- CTL, a Beaverton, Oregon computer company, announced from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas today that it has joined forces with FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an international K-12 not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, as a Silver Supplier of the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®).
The FIRST Robotics Competition Silver Supplier level designates a contribution of between $25,000 and $100,000. CTL is expected to provide 1,000 or more 2go® PC laptops that will be used to power student-built robots and will be included in the 2015 FRC Kit of Parts which was distributed to nearly 3,000 teams of high-school students on Jan. 3, 2015.
“CTL is committed to the mission of FIRST by helping us offer students a hands-on learning experience,” said FIRST President, Donald E. Bossi. “As a Silver Supplier, CTL provides tools that aid in experiential learning and ultimately allows FIRST to offer participants a glimpse of what it’s like to be real engineer.”
By providing components for the competition, FIRST Suppliers are putting the latest technology into the hands of students, giving them the opportunity to apply the same tools used by professional scientists and engineers and, ultimately, helping them learn real-world skills they will carry into the workplace.
“CTL is proud to join forces with FIRST to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and valuable teamwork skills for today’s students,” said CTL’s CMO, Mike Mahanay.
On Jan. 3, 2015, FIRST teams were shown the new RECYCLE RUSH(sm) game playing field and received a Kit of Parts made up of motors, batteries, a control system, a PC, pneumatic component, and a mix of automation components – but no instructions. Working with adult Mentors, students have six weeks to design, build, program, and test their robots to meet the season’s engineering challenge. Once these young inventors create a robot, their teams participate in competitions that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students.
RECYCLE RUSH is a recycling-themed game played by two Alliances of three robots each. Robots score points by stacking totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with recycling containers, and properly disposing of pool noodles, representing litter. In keeping with the recycling theme of the game, all game pieces used are reusable or recyclable by teams in their home locations or by FIRST at the end of the season.
FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual competition that helps students to discover the excitement of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and the rewards a career in STEM can bring. In 1992, the FIRST Robotics Competition began with 28 teams and a single 14-by-14-foot playing field in a New Hampshire high school gym. This season, nearly 3,000 teams – including 364 Rookie teams – will participate.
About 73,000 students from the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, U.A.E., and the U.K. will compete in 48 District Events, 5 District Championships, and 56 Regional Events in five countries – all leading up to the 2015 FIRST Championship at the Edward Jones Dome, April 22-25, in St. Louis. This season, participating FIRST Robotics Competition high school students are eligible to apply for nearly $20 million in scholarships from 170 colleges and universities.
About FIRST®
Accomplished 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. 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 support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $20 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to http://www.usfirst.org.
FIRST®, the FIRST® logo, FIRST® Robotics Competition, FRC®, Coopertition®, Gracious Professionalism®, Sport for the Mind(tm), RECYCLE RUSH(sm) are trademarks of the United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST®). LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO Group. FIRST® LEGO® League, FLL®, and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League are jointly held trademarks of FIRST and the LEGO Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2015 FIRST. All rights reserved.
About CTL
Founded in 1989, CTL® designs and manufactures computer products including desktop and mobile workstations, LED Monitors, and high performance servers. CTL® also manufactures specialty devices including ruggedized tablets, slates, and digital sign solutions.
Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon with offices in Asia, CTL® and their partners supply North American consumers, government agencies, and many of the most recognized corporate brands. For more information about CTL®, please visit http://www.ctl.net. To learn more about CTL’s products for FIRST, visit ctl.net/first-robotics-competition.
Stephanie Shea, CTL, http://www.ctl.net, +1 971-327-0167, [email protected]
Share this article