Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

http://www.pbn.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/122884 "Starting next year, state officials say, students at all 67 of Rhode Island’s public, charter and career and technical high schools will have a chance to participate in the FIRST Vex Challenge, a robot-building competition."

Congratulations to Rhode Island! I look forward to having some of you head over to compete in Connecticut, too!

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

One small step for Rhode Island, one giant leap for FIRST :p

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

One down, 49 states to go! (°u°)

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

This is absolutely great news, RI only has 3 FIRST teams, this will definitely help to bring more into the state. Wow, I am impressed, this is a pretty big thing for RI and FIRST.

(As a note I am sure that this is in a big part to Representative Langevin from RI who spoke at both the Boston Regional and at Nationals. He was genuinely impressed by the program. My Dad ran into him at work one day and was introduced, When my dad mentioned that they had met before at a FIRST competition Langevin began to talk about FIRST to every one around, telling them how the program is what we need more of in the state/country. Langevin is one of very few politicians I have met(and I have met my fair share of them) who impressed me as being a genuine person.

James

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

This is AWESOME!
A giant step for FIRST VEX Program and the Rhode students.
:]

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

In a few years when these kids get older, I predict a bunch more teams starting in that area.

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

Watch out all you Vex Teams. Rhode Island will be bringin' some of that New England defense! Only a matter of time before we see a boom of FRC teams... All of the Rhode Island teams are glad to be a part of the changes and hope to see other states follow.

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

Huge. The revolution is upon us. Anything you can do to leverage this news in your own state, do it now. Folks at the DE and PA Departments of Ed that I know already have the link in their inbox. As far as aligning to standards and Vex in the classroom, I'll share some helpful supporting documentation in the white papers soon. Feed the fire while it's burning ;)

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

Just to give you some brief background on this news

The team coordinator of team 121 (Liana Ferreira Fenton), also my Mom :) , has long campaigned to connect math, science, and technology initiatives into the high school curriculum. She has attended countless meetings in order to get this rolling.

Last season we were trying to get Don Carcieri (the governor or RI) to come up to the Boston Regional. However he couldn't make it, so he sent his economic policy advisor Saul Kaplan instead. He absolutely flipped over program, and loved it ever since. One thing led to another, and this initiative became a reality.

This program was formally announced at the innovation business conference (http://www.businessinnovationfactory.com/) in Providence RI, by Dean Kamen.

There is much more to this, but it is the general summary of it.

Here is another story about it:
http://www.businessinnovationfactory...1&Item id=307

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

On the subject of the conference, read what this blogger said about our 2006 machine.

"...I could tell there was an announcement coming. Another clue would have been the robots set up in the front lobby, including the transparent Lost In Space style basketball playing model from a high school team in Middletown, Rhode Island."

More at http://innovation.corante.com/editor...re_passion.php

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

Rhode Island has three FIRST Robotics Competition teams registered this year, one FIRST Vex Challenge team, and many FIRST LEGO League teams as well. But this will certainly bring FIRST to many people who have not yet been exposed to the program!

Re: Ocean State to enlist all high schools in robotics challenge
 

Wow.... this is amazing... IM glad i moved back to RI =P time to go mentor!!!

Yes there is only 3 FRC teams, but 121 also has 5 high schools on thier team due to thier own schools not being able to host thier own team. We started with just 1 HS from 97-03, 2 in 04 and 4 in 05 and 5 in 06. So we have been spreading the first word and we really hope all of these schools due start a Vex team! Maybe a OceanState Vex allaince? =X


EDIT: Btw... Rick or Kyle do you have any pics from the event???? THX!