Silicon Valley Biz Ink :: The voice of the valley economy: "This week, at Northwestern University, six weeks of
intense design and construction will culminate in the Midwest Regional FIRST competition where 56 teams of students and engineering and technical mentors
will demonstrate their skill for science, mathematics and technology. They will compete for honors and recognition that reward design excellence, competitive play, sportsmanship and high-impact partnerships between schools, businesses and communities.
Founded by inventor Dean Kamen, who recently introduced the Segway(TM) Human Transporter (HT), FIRST was created to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and their communities. Currently in its thirteenth year, the FIRST Robotics Competition anticipates
its largest season ever with more than 900 teams from Brazil, the U.K., Canada and nearly every state in the United States competing in 26 different regional competitions. More than 1,500 students will compete at the Midwest Regional to earn a spot at the Championship held April 15-17 at The Georgia Dome in
Atlanta, Georgia."