The Science Channel to broadcast FIRST documentary

This note, pasted below, was just sent to team leaders from FIRST:


Greetings Teams:

FIRST Robotics Documentary Airs on The Science Channel

Watch the world premiere of “FIRST Robotics 2003” Friday, September 12 at 9pm on The Science Channel. This original documentary was developed, produced, filmed and aired as a contribution to FIRST through the sponsorship of Discovery. The Science Channel team responsible for bringing this effort together has been involved with FIRST for several years, and their personal and professional efforts have made their dream of
promoting FIRST in a significant way a reality. The documentary includes coverage of FIRST teams across the country, of regional events in New York City and San Jose, California, and of the Championship.

The program will be repeated on Tuesday, September 17 and again on Friday, November 21. The Science Channel is available on digital cable or satellite. You can call your provider today and ask for The Science Channel, or go to discovery.com and click on The Science Channel. You can also see the schedule by going to:
http://science.discovery.com/schedule/series.jsp?series=105282&gid=11788&channel=SCI

Through this documentary, Discovery makes the case that FIRST Robotics is the Super Bowl of engineering – requiring teamwork, dedication and ingenuity. 20,000 of America’s brightest high school science students achieve breakthroughs, set the groundwork for brilliant careers, and make extremely cool robots. In this Science Channel original special, the program follows three diverse teams from the team building and robot
building phase, through regional competitions and to the Championship event at the Reliant Arena in Houston, TX. Special thanks for their support of this television project go to FIRST Robotics Teams #254, #339, and #1224.

To learn more about The Science Channel, visit them at

That’s totally awesome. I checked and I do have that channel so I will definitely be watching. I’ll send news of this to my team.

Also, for everyone don’t forget about www.tvguide.com as the airing times may be slightly different in your area

too bad we cant get any of that in canada ><
im actually not sure, even if you have satellite in Canada, whether or not youd be able to receive all american specialty channels… i know some, but not all

Hey Andy, i just read the email from FIRST and was going to post about it but i see you beat me to it. Actually while volunteering at the nats this past year, i heard about and got to talk to some of the Science Chanels guys, it sounded awesome then and i cant wait to see it in a few weeks. Everyone who gets the chance i would reccomend watching this, its going to be great!
~Mike

So now, since a lot of us are at college and don’t get the science channel or some people don’t get it at home… Does anyone plan on recording this and then digitizing it, like was done with the first Dean Kamen special on 60 minutes?

*Originally posted by Rob Colatutto *
**So now, since a lot of us are at college and don’t get the science channel or some people don’t get it at home… Does anyone plan on recording this and then digitizing it, like was done with the first Dean Kamen special on 60 minutes? **

Don’t worry Rob, I’m sure SOMEONE will send a copy up to Potsdam.

We’ll see it eventually. :wink: :smiley:

I’ll be recording it, but I don’t have the equipment to digitalize. If anyone does I’d be happy to give/send them a copy to digitalize and post.

And John, I’ll be giving Rob a copy at some point(probably at Bash) so if you’re really nice to him maybe he’ll let you watch it :wink:

*Originally posted by Rob Colatutto *
**So now, since a lot of us are at college and don’t get the science channel or some people don’t get it at home… Does anyone plan on recording this and then digitizing it, like was done with the first Dean Kamen special on 60 minutes? **

Is this a one-hour documentary, or a series of shows? The description isn’t very clear.

I’m not getting on any soapbox here, I don’t mind people sharing music & movies, but in this case I would recommend everyone actually buy the DVD when the show airs, that’s what I plan on doing. Go ahead and get a copy of the digitized version, but if you like it order a copy from Discovery. The simple reason is to encourage them to produce more FIRST related shows. Tell them with your money that you want to see FIRST on TV. I imagine that if they get several thousand orders for the DVD they’ll be more inclined to make a similar program this season.

We’re finally on TV, now lets let them know that we want to be back next year (but on a channel that people actually get).

Mike

I knew having 12 Discovery Channels would come in handy one of these days.

*Originally posted by Mike Soukup *
We’re finally on TV, now lets let them know that we want to be back next year (but on a channel that people actually get).

Well, it’s a start.

*Originally posted by Mike Soukup *
**I would recommend everyone actually buy the DVD when the show airs, that’s what I plan on doing. **

Thats what i plan on doing, i just hope its not $30…

*Originally posted by Mike Soukup *
We’re finally on TV, now lets let them know that we want to be back next year (but on a channel that people actually get).

yeah, it kinda a bummer that if we wanted to show this to potential sponsors or soemone they may not have the channel…

~Mike

*Originally posted by Mike Soukup *
**Is this a one-hour documentary, or a series of shows? The description isn’t very clear.

I’m not getting on any soapbox here, I don’t mind people sharing music & movies, but in this case I would recommend everyone actually buy the DVD when the show airs, that’s what I plan on doing. Go ahead and get a copy of the digitized version, but if you like it order a copy from Discovery. The simple reason is to encourage them to produce more FIRST related shows. Tell them with your money that you want to see FIRST on TV. I imagine that if they get several thousand orders for the DVD they’ll be more inclined to make a similar program this season.

We’re finally on TV, now lets let them know that we want to be back next year (but on a channel that people actually get).

Mike **

Would you happen to know if this is something that they will sell online after the show too? Or available only when it is aired?
I know I would deffinately buy a copy. Thanks for any info!

This looks like a great idea, and a lot of fun to watch. I know a lot of the HS kids (hey, most of us mentors too) like watching for our teams.

It’s great that this is an actual documentary and not just a 10-second spotlight on one of Dean’s many interviews (like 60 Minutes II and such), and I’m sure he’s happy about it too.

Anyone in the Indianapolis area want to watch? I vote a FIRST party at Chris Noble’s… or maybe Andy Baker’s? :smiley:

Is this a one-hour documentary, or a series of shows? The description isn’t very clear.

It is one episode shown 12 times. Here are the times:
SCI Sep 12 2003
09:00 PM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 13 2003
12:00 AM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 13 2003
05:00 AM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 13 2003
08:00 AM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 13 2003
01:00 PM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 13 2003
04:00 PM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 17 2003
08:00 PM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 17 2003
11:00 PM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 18 2003
04:00 AM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 18 2003
07:00 AM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 18 2003
12:00 PM FIRST Robotics FIRST Robotics 2003

SCI Sep 18 2003
03:00 PM FIRST Robotics:D :smiley:

*Originally posted by SarahB *
**I’ll be recording it, but I don’t have the equipment to digitalize. If anyone does I’d be happy to give/send them a copy to digitalize and post.
**

We know digitizing.

–SOAP Team
www.soap108.com/2003/movies

Too bad we all know the outcome.

*Originally posted by Ashley Weed *
**Would you happen to know if this is something that they will sell online after the show too? Or available only when it is aired?
I know I would deffinately buy a copy. Thanks for any info! **
No guarantees, but Discovery offers many of their shows on VHS/DVD, I don’t know if it’s true for the Science Channel though. If they make it available, it should be on the website for a while. Someone will post the info if & when it’s available.

Originally posted by AJ Quick
Too bad we all know the outcome.
Hey, some of us liked the outcome :smiley:

*Originally posted by Amanda Morrison *
** I vote a FIRST party at Chris Noble’s… or maybe Andy Baker’s? :smiley: **

Well, I don’t get the Science Channel. I am cheap - no satellite TV for me means no viewing party.

Andy B., aka Mr. Thrifty

*Originally posted by Andy Baker *
**Well, I don’t get the Science Channel. I am cheap - no satellite TV for me means no viewing party.

Andy B., aka Mr. Thrifty **
Don’t feel bad. This will be the first time I have used my digital cable in months. :stuck_out_tongue:

No guarantees, but Discovery offers many of their shows on VHS/DVD, I don’t know if it’s true for the Science Channel though. If they make it available, it should be on the website for a while. Someone will post the info if & when it’s available.

The Science Channel most likely will be selling tapes of it since Discovery, The Science Channel, and TLC all appear to be in cahoots.

i dont have cable, i only have “Able”