Memphis City Schools Press Release Jan 5, 2010
Memphis, Tenn. – On Saturday, January 9, 2010, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. the award-winning MCS High School Robotics team will host the 2010 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) High School robotics Kick-Off Event.
Eight local and state high school robotics teams totaling about fifty students will meet at the Teaching and Learning Academy, located at 2485 Union, to watch a live broadcast from FIRST’s headquarters in New Hampshire which will include a live feed from NASA.
The event will also feature a very special guest speaker, Command Master Chief Evelyn Banks, of the US Naval Academy. Students will even have the opportunity to do hands-on training with a basic robot. Team mentors from Medtronic, Smith and Nephew, The University of Memphis and Dewalt from Jackson, TN, will conduct workshops so teams can learn more about the robot they will build.
Robotics is considered a varsity sport for the mind, combining the excitement of sports with the rigors of science and technology. Following strict rules, with limited resources, and strict time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team, brand, hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors.