With intent to support science and technology, Siemens Industry, along with its Industry Automation Division, has collaborated with Michigan –FIRST.
Siemens is a dynamic supporter of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). During FRC, student teams from 16 districts schools competed with each other using their remote-controlled robots in a series of games. Expert engineers from established companies like Siemens serve as mentors, assisting the student teams with hands-on training in science and technology.
During March, Michigan Robotics teams competed in district finals. The FRC State Championship will be conducted at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, from April 12 to 14, 2012. Here, robots will combat in a competitive arena with several fans cheering for them. This event is free and open to the public.
Since its establishment in 1993, FIRST in Michigan has been progressing with over 40,000 students and 1,800 team participants. FIRST robotics students can avail over $14 M FIRST scholarships from the U.S. and Canada universities and colleges. FIRST in Michigan’s main objective is to promote science and technology by establishing a FIRST Robotics Competition team in every high school, across the state.
The President of Siemens Industry Automation Division, Raj Batra said that the company invests several million dollars every year for R&D initiatives, upgrading its production plants, to make Siemens as an established firm that promotes energy efficiency, industrial productivity, and automation. However, , the most important investment is achieved by developing next generation engineers, by serving as mentors for innovative programs like FIRST in Michigan.
After qualifying in State Championship, 18 teams from Michigan will progress to compete in the FIRST national Championships to be held from April 25-28 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo.
Source: http://www.usa.siemens.com/