FIRST Robotics Competition
UTC New England Regional
March 15-17, 2007
Connecticut Convention Center
100 Columbus Boulevard
Hartford, CT 06103

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational non-profit organization, that aspires to transform culture, making science, math, engineering, and technology as cool for kids as sports are today.

FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter. FIRST operates the FIRST Robotics Competition in which teams of high school students, sponsored and assisted by local companies and volunteers, design, assemble, and test a robot capable of performing a specified task in competition with other teams.

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of students and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard "kit of parts" and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in a series of competitions designed by Dean Kamen , Woodie Flowers, and a committee or engineers and other profssionals. The Competition has grown to close to 1000 teams competing in 30 Regional Events, and The Championship held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta where more than 12,000 high-school-aged young people participate.

FIRST redefines winning for these students. Teams are rewarded for excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity, and ability to overcome obstacles. Scoring the most points is a secondary goal. Winning means building partnerships that last.

The FIRST Robotics Competition has grown to 30 regional events and the Championship. Teams from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Great Britain, Ecuador, Israel and possibly additional countries are expected to compete.

The UTC New England Regional is one of the regional events in the FIRST Robotics Competition, and is one of the most exciting and competitive regionals in the program. Made up of teams from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, this event grows larger every year as rookie teams join the seasoned veterans to compete on the stage of the Meadows Music Theater.

This year, 40 teams will compete in the UTC New England Regional for titles such as Regional Chairman's Award Winner, Regional Engineering Inspiration Award Winner, Regional Winner, Regional Finalist, and many others. Good luck to all teams!