DETROIT, Mich., March 20 - It was noisy; it was exhausting; and it was intensely exciting. But after six weeks of preparation and two days of intense competition between 32 high school teams from Michigan and Indiana - three teams working as an alliance- triumphed. Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. & Melvindale High School, Delphi & Pontiac Central High School and Wayne-Westland Schools came up first in the nationally- recognized FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program, which held its Detroit Regional competition March 19-20 at Wayne State University. "FIRST Robotics demonstrates that science, engineering and technology can be cool," said Francois Castaing, Director, FIRST. "This is hands-on education at its finest, providing a unique attraction for many teenagers you'd never suspect would develop an interest in the science and technology fields."

As an additional "prize" for FIRST competitors, Wayne State, through its Honors Program, offered up to 10 scholarships to qualifying FIRST participants. To be eligible for the scholarships, FIRST students have to apply to Wayne State, have a minimum 3.5 GPA and have taken the ACT (American College Test) entrance exam.

The FIRST Robotics Competition is a national engineering contest that immerses high school students in the exciting world of engineering and technology. Teaming up with mentors from businesses and universities, students get a hands-on, inside look at engineering and the technical professions - all within a framework of competition and a sports-like environment. Three of the 26 Regionals across the United States are in Michigan, with the Western Michigan Regional scheduled for April 1-3 at Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Mich.

This year's competition incorporated pre-programmed autonomous robot operation, human player/robot interaction and a new exciting element, the requirement for robots to attach and pull themselves clear of the floor from a 10-foot high chin-up bar. Four robots worked the playing field at one time, with pushing, shoving and defensive interference often the name of the game.

FIRST's rules demand that teams learn how to work together and form alliances. Awards are given, for instance, to teams for sportsmanship, entrepreneurship, creativity and spirit as well as industrial design, technology, website design and animation. Particular emphasis is placed on developing partnerships between schools, businesses, and universities to provide an exchange of resources and talent, highlighting mutual needs, building cooperation, and exposing students to new career choices.

Teams that score well in the regionals will advance to the National Championship Event, to be held this year at Atlanta, Ga., April 15-17. More than 20,000 students are expected to participate.

Sponsors of the three Michigan Regionals are: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth; DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund; Ford Motor Co.; General Motors; Bosch; Delphi; EDS; Visteon Automotive; AVL North America; Wayne State University; TARDEC; Compuware; TIAA-Cref; Health Alliance Plan; Fifth Third Bank; Comau Pico; Westwater Group; Johnson Controls; Magna Steyr; Sagestone; Autocam; Steelcase and Haworth.

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, their schools and their communities. 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 the support of many of the world's most well known companies, the non-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST and the FIRST Robotics Competition go to .

ABOUT WAYNE STATE

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.

Contact: Tom Lang
Voice: (734) 953-3500