Notable Inventor Visits Carl Hayden HS, AZ

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http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news...hool-2-22-2012

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Notable Inventor Visits Carl Hayden High School
Updated: Wednesday, 22 Feb 2012, 5:54 PM MST
Published : Wednesday, 22 Feb 2012, 5:54 PM MST

PHOENIX - Students across the state are getting ready for the SciTech Festival. It’s made up of 60 events and hundreds of teams working on special projects.

This year -- the festival includes a science star. Students line up Wednesday to get Dean Kamen's autograph.

He’s not a singer or a big time athlete, but for these students he is their hero.

“The fact that we got to meet him and because of him, he started it, it's just amazing,” says student Kelly Carlson.

Kamen is an inventor. He invented the segway and has 150 patents. He’s an entrepreneur with his own company.

He started FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). He wants to inspire students to pursue careers in science.

“I think it's critical for this country to start giving kids the opportunity to see the world. Its not just bouncing a ball or screaming on a stage,” says Kamen.

Kamen was at Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix to see their robotics projects. The theme this year involves robots shooting basketballs.

Students from kindergarten through high school get a chance to design, build and program a robot.

Kamen started FIRST 20 years ago with the idea kids would find science and technology as much fun as music and sports.

“We are showing them that there are world class heroes and role models in the world of science and technology.”