Teams Can Register Online Oct. 1 – Nov. 30; Arizona Teams Can Apply for Funds from Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz)/Stardust Foundation Grant

CHANDLER, Ariz. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 6, 2009 — Registration for high school FIRST^® robotics teams to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Arizona Regional was announced today by AZFirst, an Arizona 501(c)(3) organization supporting FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the recipient of a grant from Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) and The Stardust Foundation. Teams can register from October 1 - November 30, 2009 at http://www.microchip.com/get/400855848611111, and the competition will take place on March 12 - 13, 2010 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. Any student who participates on a FRC team is eligible to apply for over $10 million in scholarships available from businesses, universities and other organizations that provide scholarships for FIRST students. Scholarship information is available at http://www.microchip.com/get/400875532291667.

Additionally, Arizona FIRST teams are encouraged to contact AZFirst for application information about SFAz/The Stardust Foundation grant funding for participation in the FRC AZ Regional. With the grant, more teams can be created to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to enhance students’ Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills. In addition to technology skills learned through hands-on experience in building, designing and programming the robot, students have an opportunity to work with industry mentors and to enhance life skills, such as critical thinking, team building and project management.

“This matching-funds grant provides a unique opportunity for industry to help create a workforce that has not only the technical skills needed to improve the economy in Arizona, but also provides the life skills needed for success in whatever career participants choose,” said Carol Popovich, principal investigator for the grant. “By supporting this effort, we are making a difference in the lives of children by opening up new experiences to them.”

For more information about the FRC AZ Regional, applying for grant funds, AZFirst, or FIRST in Arizona, contact Carol Popovich at (480) 792-7938 or Email Contact, or visit http://www.microchip.com/get/400855815393519. For more information about Science Foundation Arizona, contact Terry Koch (pronounced “Cook”) at (602) 682-2800 or Email Contact.

More About FIRST and the FRC Arizona Regional

FIRST connects high school students, educators, the community and industry in a collaborative effort to teach students STEM principles through a team-driven, robot-building project that culminates in an exciting, fast-paced robotics competition. The game for the 2010 regional competitions will be announced January 9 via worldwide NASA broadcast. At that time, the teams will pick up their kit of parts and have six weeks to design, build and ship their robot to the event. The robots for the event weigh about 120 pounds, and the teams work in an alliance, with 6 robots on the field at a time. The 2010 season will culminate in the FRC Championship, which will be held in Atlanta, GA April 15 - 17.

Microchip Technology Inc. is the Organizing Sponsor for the 2010 FRC Arizona Regional. Other sponsors include Wells Fargo Bank and BAE Systems. More sponsors are currently being recruited to support this competition. For more information or to sponsor a team, contact Carol Popovich at (480) 792-7938 or Email Contact.

About Science Foundation Arizona

Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization initiated in 2006 by the Greater Phoenix Leadership Inc., Southern Arizona Leadership Council and the Flagstaff Forty with the goal to build and strengthen the scientific and education infrastructure in areas of greatest strategic importance to Arizona’s competitiveness in the global economy. SFAz is investing in partnerships between non-profit research institutions and in the education pipeline to attract and support a knowledge-driven economy. To date, SFAz STEM programs have impacted over 54,000 students in critical science and math skills statewide.

About The Stardust Foundation

The Stardust Foundation is a non-profit corporation designed to selectively provide by-invitation-only grants to organizations that impact the linked concepts of family and neighborhood stability. For more information, visit http://www.microchip.com/get/40085586412037.

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.

About Microchip Technology