DETROIT -- March Madness returns to Wayne State University March 20 and 21 in the form of the FIRST Robotics Detroit District Championship. The competition will be played out at the Matthaei Athletic Complex with high school student participants representing some 40 teams from Michigan.

Each high school team had six weeks to design and deliver their individual robot to meet the specific game requirements of this year's competition. Teams compete in a spirited, no-holds barred tournament with referees, cheerleaders, scoreboards and time clocks. For the finals, two teams made up of alliances of three schools each compete head-to-head.

A series of seven district events allow each team to compete in at least two qualifying rounds. FIRST in Michigan culminates with the state championship at Eastern Michigan University April 3 and 4. Eighteen teams from the state championship will join teams from around the nation, Canada and South America at the FIRST Championship April 16 - 18 in Atlanta.

Technology and innovation begins with sparking young minds, and no other science and math program has proven more engaging to students than the nationwide FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program. Wayne State is demonstrating its support by hosting a competition for the sixth consecutive year.

"Because it's hands-on, it really engages students," said Ralph Kummler, dean of the College of Engineering. "The beautiful thing is it is not just about students looking for solutions out of their textbooks. This is about creating solutions that come out of their own minds. When you see them in action, you quickly realize they represent the best of our next generation and hope for a better future for Michigan."

Through the Irvin D. Reid Honors College, Wayne State is offering three, four-year full- tuition Presidential Scholarships to qualifying FIRST participants. To be eligible, students must apply to Wayne State, have a 3.5 GPA, and have taken the ACT (American College Test) entrance exam. The university's Office of Admissions will be on hand to take applications from prospective students. The application fee will be waived if participants sign up during the event.


The opening ceremony on Friday is at 11 a.m.; Saturday at 8:30 a.m., but the venue will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. For a complete agenda, go to www.eng.wayne.edu and click on the FIRST Robotic announcement. The event is free and open to the public.

Wayne State's Matthaei Athletic Complex is located at the intersection of Warren Avenue and the southbound Lodge Freeway Service Drive on the southwest corner of campus.

The Wayne State University College of Engineering, with more than 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students, offers a wide range of fully accredited engineering disciplines. Located in the automotive capital of the world, the college provides an engineering education and training keyed into real-world practices with an eye to the future. Students study under the direction of recognized world leaders in such important fields as Tissue Engineering, Injury Mechanics, Smart Sensors and Integrated Microsystems, Alternative Energy Technologies, and Sustainable Engineering, as well as Automotive Engineering. Its well-respected graduates represent a large force in Michigan industry and the engineering field.