For Release: Feb. 14, 2000

Jerry Berg
Media Relations Department
(256) 544-0034
Jerry.Berg@msfc.nasa.gov
/centers/msfc/NEWSROOM/

MEDIA ADVISORY: 00-035

Media Invited Feb. 16 as Local Students Show Off Robot Being Built for National Competition

For the past several weeks, a team of Lee High School students from Huntsville, Ala., have been immersed in a project -- but not your ordinary school assignment. They’ve been hard at work planning, designing and building … a robot. Now, along with space program engineers who are serving as their mentors, the students have results to show for their effort.

Photo and interview opportunities with the students as they show off and test their robot on a special "playing field" will be available to the media at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Marshall's Building 4619. To attend, media representatives should contact Jerry Berg of the Marshall Media Relations Department at (256) 544-0034.

The students have been working with engineers from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, parents, faculty from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Weddendorf Design, Mevatac Corporation, Redstone Arsenal's AMCOM (Aviation and Missile Command) and Lee High School teachers to brainstorm, design, construct and test their "champion robot."

The team from Lee High School will compete regionally March 16-18 in Houston. In April, their robot will compete with robots created by more than 300 teams nationwide.

The robotics competition is organized annually by the non-profit corporation FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Its mission is to generate an interest in science and engineering among students.

Lee High School is participating through a grant from Marshall's Education Programs Department. NASA, a major supporter of FIRST, is sponsoring more than 100 nationwide teams and hosting four regional competitions.

Quick Facts About FIRST

• The FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual event that began in 1992. Last year, 199 teams participated.
• The competition changes each year, to present student teams with new challenges. This year's robots will compete in matches that combine goal-scoring elements of basketball, the blocking and contact of football, and the strategy of chess.
• Following 10 regional competitions, the national championship will be held

• This is the first time Lee High School in Huntsville is participating.
• More information about FIRST can be obtained on the Web at:

http://www.usfirst.org

Marshall's News Center on the Web is located at:

/centers/msfc/NEWSROOM/

Members of the media: To receive Marshall releases by e-mail instead of fax, please e-mail judy.pettus@msfc.nasa.gov. Include the name of your media outlet, your title, mailing address, phone and fax numbers, and the headline of this news release.