More than 83,500 High-School Students Worldwide Tuning in for Unveiling of 2017 Robotics Challenge: FIRST STEAMWORKS^SM

Over 3,340 Teams Participate through Twitch Livestream

Media Invited to Attend Local Kickoffs in 123 Venues Worldwide

(BUSINESS WIRE) — January 7, 2017 — FIRST^®

Who: FIRST ^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) will be joined by numerous public figures to launch the 2017 season of the FIRST^® Robotics Competition – FIRST STEAMWORKS^SM – with a worldwide Kickoff event originating from Manchester, N.H.

• The 2017 season will include over 3,340 teams (83,500 high-school students), grades 9-12, participating in 145 Regional and District events.
• At Kickoff, teams will be shown the FIRST STEAMWORKS game field and challenge details for the first time, and will receive a Kit of Parts made up of motors, batteries, control system components, construction materials, and a mix of additional automation components – with limited instructions.
• Teams will have six weeks to design and build a robot to meet this year’s engineering challenge.

Dignitaries and public figures will deliver remarks on video and in-person, including:

• Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)
• Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas
• Dean Kamen, President, DEKA Research & Development and Founder, FIRST;
• Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST Distinguished Advisor, and Co-Chair of the FIRST Executive Advisory Board; Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
• Donald E. Bossi, President, FIRST;
• FIRST students & special guests

What: Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. The FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual competition that challenges high-school students – working alongside professional Mentors – to construct a robot and compete in the ultimate Sport for the Mind™ that measures the effectiveness of each robot, the power of teamwork and collaboration, and each team’s display of Gracious Professionalism^®. Through their participation, students experience the excitement of science, engineering, technology, and innovation; build well-rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication, and leadership; and qualify for $30 million in college scholarships.

When: Saturday, January 7, 2017

10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Local Remarks (LIVE Manchester, N.H. only)

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Twitch Livestream

Where*: Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), 2500 North River Road, Manchester, N.H. *OPEN TO ALL MEDIA: If you would like to attend as media, please contact Haley Dunn at hdunn@firstinspires.org or Brooke Blew at bblew@firstinspires.org.

• 123 Kickoffs in cities worldwide: U.S. and international FIRST teams will tune in via Twitch livestream. Access the webcast via http://firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/2017-broadcast
• To locate teams in your area, visit http://www.firstinspires.org/team-event-search or contact your FIRST Regional Director http://www.firstinspires.org/find-local-support.

2017 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff Event Locations:

• For a listing of local Kickoff locations, visit: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/kickoff.

Photo Opp.: FIRST will unveil the details of the new 2017 robotics competition game after the speaker program. Students take measurements on the new game field and inspect the challenge in order to develop strategies for robot construction, and to determine if they will play offense, defense, or both.

Livestream Link: http://firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/2017-broadcast