OregonFIRST

Our friends at Autodesk have posted their pictures on Flickr.    Check them out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/autodeskdesign/sets

There are over 1,100 pictures posted!!

Thanks to our friends at Team 360, you can watch archived video of the 2010 Autodesk Oregon Regional at frcstream.com.

FIRST Robotics Teams Converge on the Memorial Coliseum for a 2-Day Battle of the Bots

Six Teams Out-Maneuver the Competition to Advance to the FIRST Robotics World Championship

PORTLAND, OR – March 11, 2010 – This past weekend 61 teams comprised of more than 1,500 high school students representing 4 states from throughout the region converged on the Memorial Coliseum for the 2010 Autodesk Oregon Regional FIRST Robotics Competition.  Leading up to the event, the teams built robots in a six-week timeframe using a standard “kit of parts” and common set of rules, allowing for an additional 7 parts to be added  This past weekend, the teams put their robots to the test in an intense head-to-head soccer-themed “breakaway challenge” competition.  In the end, 6 teams out-maneuvered the competition to advance to the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Atlanta, April 14-17, 2010.  The major honors awarded at the competition included:

• 1st Place Alliance: Corvallis High School – Corvallis, Oregon; Beverly Hills High School – Beverly Hills, California; and Bonners Ferry High School – Bonners Ferry, Idaho
• Engineering Inspiration: Oregon City High School – Oregon City, Oregon
• Chairman’s Award: Catlin Gabel – Portland, Oregon
• Rookie All Star: Coeur d’Alene High School – Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

“In this day and age, engineering is everywhere and it plays such an important role in the continuation and innovation of life as we know it,” said Debra Mumm-Hill, FIRST Pacific NW Regional Director. “By participating in FIRST, these students – who are the next generation of engineers and designers, are getting hands-on problem-solving skills and experience that will give them the technical expertise they need to be successful in the global marketplace.

The 2-day competition was kicked-off by a number of state and industry leaders, including Oregon 2010 Gubernatorial Candidates Bill Bradbury, Allen Alley and Chris Dudley as well as Buzz Kross,  Sr. vice president of the Manufacturing Solutions Division at Autodesk.  The group of distinguished guests addressed attendees and even competed in a Rock Band challenge.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,) is a not-for-profit organization  founded by inventor Dean Kamen to celebrate science and technology via robotics competitions worldwide. FIRST combines the excitement of sport with science and technology to create a unique varsity sport of mind that helps high school students discover the rewarding and engaging process of innovation and engineering.

Other schools and individuals that received awards at the 2010 Autodesk Oregon Regional FIRST Robotics Competition included:

• Finalist #1: West Salem High School – Turner, Oregon
• Finalist #2: Camas High School and Washougal High School – Camas, Washington
• Finalist #3: Philomath High School – Philomath, Oregon
• Imagery Award in honor of Jack Kamen: Philomath High School – Philomath, Oregon
• Innovation in Control Award: Cleveland High School – Portland, Oregon
• Creativity Award: Santiam Christian School – Corvallis, Oregon
• Engineering Excellence Award: Camas High School & Washougal High School – Camas, Washington
• Entrepreneurship Award: Aviation High School – Des Moines, Washington
• Judges Award: Lincoln High School – Portland, Oregon
• Website Award: Aviation High School – Des Moines, Washington
• Excellence in Design Award: Philomath High School – Philomath, Oregon
• Industrial Design Award: Skyview High School – Vancouver, Washington
• Quality Award: Beverly Hills High School – Beverly Hills, California
• Gracious Professionalism Award: Franklin High School – Seattle, Washington
• Team Spirit Award: Tacoma School of the Arts High School – Tacoma, Washington
• Rookie Inspiration Award: Islamic Center of Portland – Portland, Oregon
• Highest Rookie Seed: Tigard High School – Tigard, Oregon
• Industrial Safety Award: Aviation High School – Des Moines, Washington
• FIRST Dean’s List Finalist Award: Henry Gordon – Portland, Oregon
• FIRST Dean’s List Finalist Award: Sarah Sawatzki –Portland, Oregon
• Outstanding Volunteer of the Year: Bob Hendel
• Woodie Flowers Award: Bob Hendel

For a complete listing of awards and match results from the 2010 Autodesk Oregon Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, please visit: http://www2.usfirst.org/2010comp/events/OR/awards.html

ABOUT FIRST

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics is a non-profit organization that motivates young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The FIRST program supports Oregon State’s commitment to STEM by building self-esteem, knowledge and life skills. FIRST uses a high-impact robotics competition to create life-changing and career-shaping experiences for students. In 2008/09, 3,400 Oregon high school students participated in the FIRST competitions, mentored by our regions leaders in various STEM industries. A significant component of the Oregon’s economy is derived from STEM industries and FIRST inspires students to become innovators and join these leading companies and institutions upon graduation.  For more information about Oregon FIRST, visit: http://www. Oregonfirst.org/

We’ve posted all of the results of the 2010 Autodesk Oregon Regional here.  Congratulations to all who competed!!!

We’ve also uploaded pictures from the event here.

We had teams from Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington:

MAP

This year’s Autodesk Oregon Regional was a great event!   Check out all of the media coverage here.

Autodesk has been a proud sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) for over 18 years.  Like you, Autodesk understands how participating in FRC positively impacts the lives not only of young people, but also of the mentors, educators and leaders from business, industry, technology, and government that support the program.  They continue to believe that every FRC participant should understand and value design as a process, and consider design technology as tools which will provide your team a competitive advantage.  This year, Autodesk sponsors the FRC 2010 Excellence in Design Award to honor clear and compelling evidence of excellence in design development, documentation, communication, and presentation. The intention of the Award is to inspire, recognize and celebrate design as one way in which you can change your world.

For the complete, detailed and official rules for the 2010 Award for Excellence in Design Sponsored by Autodesk, go to www.autodesk.com/first or download this PDF.

Kickoff

We’ve updated our website with information about the upcoming kickoff for the 2010 season.     Go to http://www.oregonfirst.org/regional-event/kickoff/ to find out about the Corvallis and Oregon City events.       Both events open their doors at 6am on 1/9/2010.     Oregon City has some extra events, read here for more information.

Regional

We’ve also secured discounts to a few choice hotels for the Autodesk Oregon Regional:  http://www.oregonfirst.org/regional-event/accomodations/

Call now to reserve your rooms!

Are you ready?  30 days to kickoff!

Our website has been updated with the latest press coverage of last weekend’s OMSI event and the video from the On the Go with Joe show.

There is great video of FIRST’s exceptional kids (and some nice looking robots, too!)

Look here:  http://www.oregonfirst.org/latest-news/news-articles/

p.s. Don’t forget to follow us on twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/oregonrobotics

OregonFIRST is now on twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/oregonrobotics

Follow us there!