Chief Delphi - Oklahoma media frenzy

The new Oklahoma Regional and the 100,000 dollars Oklahoma legislature has appropriated to start FIRST teams has created a bit of a media frenzy.

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Quote:

OKC selected for robotics competition

09/20/2007

The Journal Record

September 20, 2007

[attached: article with pictures]
The Journal Record

OKLAHOMA CITY – The crowd cheers wildly as the mascot encourages the team on to victory. However, it’s not a football or basketball game but instead a competition involving the engineers and scientists of the future.

Former University of Tulsa quarterback Tad Jones – now a state legislator from Claremore – said a trip earlier this year to Kansas City opened his eyes to the environment that exists with the Science and Technology Robotics Competition.

“The atmosphere for this competition was like a football game,” Jones, a Republican who chairs the House Education Committee, said on Wednesday during a press conference announcing Oklahoma City as a site for the 2008 Oklahoma regional competition.

Bank of Oklahoma Vice Chairman Burns Hargis said he had been pitching the idea of having the regional be held at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City as a way to encourage Oklahoma students to become more interested in science and technology. Hargis said the competitions show the “vast examples of creative energy” that exist in today’s students in an environment that combines academics with teamwork.

“It will change the attitude of our kids about science and technology,” Hargis said.

Oklahoma teams initially began competing in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition several years ago, and the state’s 12 teams have showed well in recent years.

The competitions involve the design and creation of remote-controlled robots from a common set of basic parts. Regional contests are held in 37 locations – including the Oklahoma City event March 20-22 – leading up to the 2008 FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta April 17-19.

Twenty grants of $5,000 were provided to the Oklahoma State Board of Education by the Legislature this year to be used for the competitions. House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, was on hand at the press conference held at Southeast High School to promote the announcement and to encourage Oklahoma students to engage in what he foresees as a “knowledge-based economy” in the 21st century.

“Not only do we want to be a part of that, we want to be a leader in that,” Cargill said.

Students from Ponca City were among the participants who showed off their robots, including seniors Dana Fjare, Greg Forton, and Austin Vaughn. Fjare said she initially joined to do something her friends were doing, but found it to be much more than that once she became more involved.

“You learn so much about what it’s like to be an engineer,” Fjare said.

Ponca City science teacher Tonya Scott said her interest in the competition began with an opportunity to have NASA sponsor a team from the school. She said that offer was made in 1999, and the school has fielded a team every year since 2000.

The deadline for applying for the grants is Oct. 17. More than 40 teams of 15 to 25 high-school students are expected to compete in the regional event in Oklahoma City .

OKC named robotics competition site

By Brian Sargent

The Oklahoman (ONLINE)

09/20/2007

Oklahoma City was announced as a regional site for the 2008 FIRST Robotics competition during a ceremony today at Southeast High School .

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition challenges high school students to design and build a robot. They compete in high-intensity events that measure the effectiveness of robots.

Oklahoma City 's regional will be March 20-22 at the Cox Convention Center . More than 40 teams are expected to compete.

"Competitions like this give students a reason to get excited about math and science,” state schools superintendent Sandy Garrett said. "Participation will assist in the statewide effort to increase Oklahoma students' interest and test scores in those subjects.”

There will be 37 regional qualifying tournaments leading up to the national competition April 17-19 in Atlanta .

Robot regionals will tout technology next spring

By Brian Sargent

The Oklahoman

09/20/2007

The Ponca City High School robotics team has racked up a lot of miles traveling to regional competitions this decade.

In March, it won't have to travel as far.

The selection of Oklahoma City as a regional site for the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) competition was announced Wednesday at Oklahoma City 's Southeast High School gymnasium. More than 40 teams comprised of 15 to 25 high school students are expected to compete during the three-day event March 20-22 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City .

‘Serious about science'

There will be 37 regional tournaments leading to the April national competition in Atlanta , when more than 1,300 teams from 23 countries will compete for $8 million in scholarships.

Robotics teams from Ponca City and Moore Norman Technology Center showed off their robots during Wednesday's ceremony. "There are two important advantages to having the regional competition in Oklahoma ,” said Burns Hargis, chairman of an advisory committee that sought the event. "One is it demonstrates to the nation that Oklahoma is serious about science and technology training. The second is that it enables us to have many more teams involved because they avoid the very substantial cost of traveling to regionals in Denver or Houston or Kansas City .”

Hargis said Oklahoma City competed with Dallas to host the 2008 regional event.

Interest spreads

John Tourville, a high school student on the Moore Norman Technology Center 's team, said he's excited Oklahoma was selected for a regional site.

"This gives kids an opportunity from our schools to come. Perhaps they can experience what it's like and they might want to get interested in it,” Tourville said.

A dozen Oklahoma high schools have robotics teams and nearly 20 others have expressed interest in starting one, said Tonya Scott, faculty adviser for Ponca City 's team. Scott expects teams from Oklahoma and five states will compete here.

"We have always had to travel and be the outsider at events. Now we feel like a host,” Scott said. " Oklahoma hospitality is like no other and we intend for this to be a spectacular event, not only for Oklahoma kids but for those who want to visit us.”

The Legislature in May appropriated $100,000 for high schools to establish robotics projects. The state Education Department will award 20 grants of $5,000 for schools to implement remote-controlled robot projects that could be entered into competitions.

"What we want to develop in students is real-life problem solving skills,” Scott said. "There is nothing greater than a problem of giving kids two boxes full of electronic stuff and saying, ‘Here, build some stuff out of it.' Not only do you have to build it, but it has to run well and not break down all the time.”

Quote:

OKC CHOSEN TO HOST REGIONAL ROBOTICS COMPETITION

$100,000 available for Oklahoma high schools to compete

{EDITOR’S NOTE: A useful sidebar box or tag graphic possibility for newspapers or television outlets might be to include information about how schools can apply for grant money through the State Department of Education. Applicants can easily download the pdf application file through the home page of the Oklahoma Department of Education at www. sde.state.ok.us You’ll see a link for the grant application headlined “Robotics Grant Application” under the “What’s New” section heading.}

OKLAHOMA CITY – Amidst a history of hosting NCAA tournaments and Blazers hockey games, the Cox Business Services Convention Center will open its doors to a first-of-its kind competition for Oklahoma City March 20-22.

For the first time, Oklahoma City has been chosen as the site of the 2008 Oklahoma Regional For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics Competition. The competition is an exciting step forward in the city’s and state’s efforts to promote a knowledge-based economy. FIRST challenges blend the exhilaration of athletic competition with engineering to create a one-of-a-kind sport for the mind.

“This will be vital to assist in securing Oklahoma ’s future,” said Bank of Oklahoma Vice Chairman Burns Hargis. “Competition in robotics will help us ensure Oklahoma ’s future by increasing the number of students who pursue degrees in technology and engineering, two areas in which Oklahoma is starved for workers.”

“Competitions like this give students a reason to get excited about math and science,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett said. “Participation will assist in the statewide effort to increase Oklahoma students’ interest and test scores in those subjects.”

In May, the Oklahoma State Legislature appropriated $100,000 to establish robotics projects in high schools in House Bill 1133. The funds will be used to provide grants to teams that apply, with an application deadline for money on October 17.

“As we look for ways to enhance Oklahoma ’s knowledge-based economy, it’s fundamental to our efforts that we encourage events and competitions like U.S. FIRST,” said Speaker Lance Cargill , R-Harrah. “One of our highest priorities in Oklahoma must be to improve student achievement and confidence, so that kids can go as far as their aspirations, talent and hard work will take them.”

“This event will help us ensure Oklahoma’s future by increasing the number of students who pursue degrees in technology and engineering, two areas in which Oklahoma is starved for workers,” said Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore, State House Education Committee chairman.

Research has shown that FIRST Robotics Competition participants are 35 percent more likely to attend college and nearly twice as likely to major in science or engineering. In addition, competitors are more than twice as likely to perform community service.

Of the 20 fastest-growing occupations projected through 2010, 15 of them will require substantial mathematics or science preparation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In addition, degrees in engineering rank among the top five most sought after associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' 2007 Job Outlook.

Established in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to motivating young people to engage in educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

More than 40 teams of 15 to 25 high-school students will compete in the regional event. Paired with professional mentors, teams will have six weeks to design and build remote-controlled robots from a common set of basic parts to meet the season’s challenge.

The Oklahoma City contest constitutes one of 37 regional competitions preceding the 2008 FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta April 17-19. Since 1989, the competition has grown from 28 teams to more than 1,300 teams. Teams from 23 countries will compete for $8 million in scholarships at the season’s pinnacle event.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education will award 20 grants of $5,000 for school districts to implement robotics projects for entry into regional and national competitions. All schools are eligible to establish a new robotics project and participate. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15.

“Competition in robotics gives students a reason to get excited about math and science,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett said. “Participation will assist in the statewide effort to increase Oklahoma students’ interest and test scores in those subjects.”

For more information, visit www.usfirst.org or the Oklahoma State Department of Education Web site at www.sde.state.ok.us.

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Speaker Cargil at the Oklahoma City Press Conference

Also
The Tulsa World
NewsOK.com

Go Sooner state!