Offered by the U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force develops leaders of great character and vision. And now the U.S. Air Force is offering a training opportunity for a select group of 24 FTC and FRC mentors and coaches who are helping inspire today’s youth to become the technical leaders of tomorrow.

Apply now to attend one of these leadership seminars:

July 9 & 10: Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

July 30 & 31: Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral, FL

Twelve Mentors/Coaches will be selected to attend each seminar. The seminars are FREE and travel costs within the continental United States (airfare, lodging, meals) are paid by the U.S. Air Force. *Please note that the workshop dates will most likely be bookended by travel days.

Who is eligible:

• FTC and FRC mentors who are K-12 teachers.
• Must be willing to commit to the full workshop and be able to travel to the location from within the continental U.S.

How to apply:

• Complete the on-line application form.
• Applications must be submitted by May 18, 2012.
• In your application, you will have the opportunity to describe in up to 500 words how you get students excited about science and technology, highlighting any innovative techniques you use to help kids learn and stay motivated. You can include up to 6 photos (no more than 1.0 Mb total).

Selection process:

• A selection committee from FIRST will review all applications and select the 24 mentors who will be invited to attend the seminars.
• Chosen applicants will be named on June 19.

USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO July 9-10

The USAF Academy in Colorado Springs Colorado is one of the top schools in the country devoted to academic excellence and developing leaders of character. The Academy's Aerospace / Aeronautical / Astronautical Programs are ranked #2 in the nation and their Electrical / Electronic /Communications Programs are among the five best programs in the country.

The Academy is also home of the USAF Academy Center for Character & Leadership Development making it the perfect location to host a Leadership Experience for FIRST Robotics coaches and mentors. This unique seminar incorporates 2 days of high level classroom discussions enhanced by team building exercises in an academic environment surrounded by examples of young leaders learning to face today's challenges. Attendees will tour a variety of STEM labs and get a glimpse into cadet life at this prestigious institution. A note: since this location is at altitude we should disclaim that some newcomers experience the effects of high altitude.

Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral, FL. July 30 - 31

Patrick Air Force Base is home to the 45th Space Wing; they are "The World's Premier Gateway to Space." The 45 SW is "One Team...delivering assured space launch, range and combat capabilities for the nation. They are responsible for all Eastern Range operations which provides the activities and resources for safety of flight, range instrumentation, communication infrastructure, and the scheduling required to support and assure space and ballistic launches, and other operations. As a premier launch organization, the 45 SW provides reliable launch infrastructure, launch teams, and seamless partnership with launch and satellite programs.

This seminar incorporates 2 days of high level classroom discussions enhanced by team building exercises in an academic environment. Attendees will tour a variety of spacecraft and rocket integration facilities as well as a launch complex. There is currently a launch schedule for 30 Jul 2012. If it launches on schedule, attendees could see firsthand how a world-class team of operators and engineers execute critical launch operations in support our nation's space programs.

Offered by the U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force develops leaders of great character and vision. And now the U.S. Air Force is offering a training opportunity for a select group of 24 FTC and FRC mentors and coaches who are helping inspire today’s youth to become the technical leaders of tomorrow.

Apply now to attend one of these leadership seminars:

July 9 & 10: Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

July 30 & 31: Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral, FL

Twelve Mentors/Coaches will be selected to attend each seminar. The seminars are FREE and travel costs within the continental United States (airfare, lodging, meals) are paid by the U.S. Air Force. *Please note that the workshop dates will most likely be bookended by travel days.

Who is eligible:

• FTC and FRC mentors who are K-12 teachers.
• Must be willing to commit to the full workshop and be able to travel to the location from within the continental U.S.

How to apply:

• Complete the on-line application form.
• Applications must be submitted by May 18, 2012.
• In your application, you will have the opportunity to describe in up to 500 words how you get students excited about science and technology, highlighting any innovative techniques you use to help kids learn and stay motivated. You can include up to 6 photos (no more than 1.0 Mb total).

Selection process:

• A selection committee from FIRST will review all applications and select the 24 mentors who will be invited to attend the seminars.
• Chosen applicants will be named on June 19.

USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO July 9-10

The USAF Academy in Colorado Springs Colorado is one of the top schools in the country devoted to academic excellence and developing leaders of character. The Academy's Aerospace / Aeronautical / Astronautical Programs are ranked #2 in the nation and their Electrical / Electronic /Communications Programs are among the five best programs in the country.

The Academy is also home of the USAF Academy Center for Character & Leadership Development making it the perfect location to host a Leadership Experience for FIRST Robotics coaches and mentors. This unique seminar incorporates 2 days of high level classroom discussions enhanced by team building exercises in an academic environment surrounded by examples of young leaders learning to face today's challenges. Attendees will tour a variety of STEM labs and get a glimpse into cadet life at this prestigious institution. A note: since this location is at altitude we should disclaim that some newcomers experience the effects of high altitude.

Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral, FL. July 30 - 31

Patrick Air Force Base is home to the 45th Space Wing; they are "The World's Premier Gateway to Space." The 45 SW is "One Team...delivering assured space launch, range and combat capabilities for the nation. They are responsible for all Eastern Range operations which provides the activities and resources for safety of flight, range instrumentation, communication infrastructure, and the scheduling required to support and assure space and ballistic launches, and other operations. As a premier launch organization, the 45 SW provides reliable launch infrastructure, launch teams, and seamless partnership with launch and satellite programs.

This seminar incorporates 2 days of high level classroom discussions enhanced by team building exercises in an academic environment. Attendees will tour a variety of spacecraft and rocket integration facilities as well as a launch complex. There is currently a launch schedule for 30 Jul 2012. If it launches on schedule, attendees could see firsthand how a world-class team of operators and engineers execute critical launch operations in support our nation's space programs.

MATRIX Robotics System unveiled at the FIRST World Championship in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS and MANCHESTER, N.H., April 26, 2012 ― FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, announced a change in the FIRST^® Tech Challenge (FTC^®) robot-build rules to be implemented in the 2012-2013 season. This change allows FTC teams to choose from two mechanical robot kit options. The MATRIX Robotics System will be piloted in selected areas next season. The popular TETRIX^® Robotics System will continue to be allowed for use by all FTC teams. 

The MATRIX Robotics System is designed for use with the LEGO^® MINDSTORMS^® NXT controller and the FTC proprietary Samantha Wi-Fi Communications device to ensure that teams’ programming and robot communications experience will remain uniform and consistent with the present configurations.

“FTC teams are seemingly diverse, and yet a common request has been to expand the options allowable to build FTC robots. Each year, FTC has expanded those options including the use of sheet plastics, aluminum, and off-the-shelf structural materials,” said Ken Johnson, Director of FIRST Tech Challenge. “Allowing teams to choose from two building systems continues that trend. Next season we plan to pilot the MATRIX kit in several areas and provide selected FTC teams with the chance to see and try the kit. TETRIX will continue to be an important part of FTC and a great choice for FTC teams.”

The MATRIX Robotics System is an aluminum-based, 3D metal building system that includes an NXT compatible motor controller, DC drive and servo motors, drive train materials and battery and charger.  It is designed to allow for rapid prototyping and multiple seasons of use. Further specifics about the system can be found at www.matrixrobotics.com.

About MATRIX Robotics

MATRIX Robotics was created in 2011 by a group of robotics enthusiasts and engineers who have spent more than 25 years working and playing with robots. The people at MATRIX set out to design the robotics system they have always wanted and the result is the MATRIX Robotics System; a high quality, affordable, 3 Dimensional building system. The people at MATRIX Robotics created this innovative system because they believe that hands on robotics is a great way to learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics and are committed to making robotics accessible to more students worldwide. MATRIX products can be purchased through local distributors. For more information visit the MATRIX website at http://www.matrixrobotics.com

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. With support from three out of every five Fortune 500 companies and nearly $15 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC^® ) and FIRST^® Tech Challenge (FTC^®) for high-school students, FIRST^® LEGO^® League (FLL^®) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST^® LEGO^® League (Jr.FLL^®) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism^™ is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

FIRST^®, the FIRST^® logo, FIRST^® Tech Challenge, and  FTC^® are registered trademarks of FIRST^®. Gracious Professionalism™, is a common law trademarks, of the United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST^®). The MATRIX Robotics System is a trademark of MATRIX Robotics International. MATRIX products featured in this news release are designed, manufactured, and marketed by MATRIX Robotics International, which is an undertaking in its own right, and the products are not authorized, sponsored, or endorsed by the LEGO® Group. LEGO^® MINDSTORMS^® is a registered trademark of The LEGO Group. TETRIX^® is a trademark of Pitsco, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

©2012 FIRST. All rights reserved.