Rockwell Collins is the Official Program Sponsor for the FIRST Tech Challenge Program
Fall is approaching and that means cooler temperatures, leaves changing and kids back in school. This fall, Rockwell Collins
will be there too, encouraging students to participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities
through its relationship with the non-profit organization FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
Rockwell Collins recently announced it will be the primary, official program sponsor for the FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC),
the newest and fastest growing robotics competition for students in grades nine through 12. A long-standing sponsor of FIRST,
Rockwell Collins has provided more than $1.2 million in support of FIRST programs, sponsoring hundreds of teams and events
at the elementary, middle and high-school levels in the U.S.
Watch this video to learn more about FTC and this year's robotic game - "Hot Shot!"
The FTC sponsorship is one element of a strategic partnership between Rockwell Collins and FIRST. Another is the involvement
of our employees, acting as volunteers, leading teams and providing technical mentorship, coordinating regional events and
judging robotics competitions. Rockwell Collins has also contributed to FIRST's expansion, funding local and state competitions
across the U.S. in 2009.
FIRST was founded in 1989 by the inventor Dean Kamen to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people.
Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills
while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With the support of many of
the world's most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST
Tech Challenge (FTC) for high-school students, FIRST LEGO® League (FLL) for children 9-14 years old, and Junior FIRST LEGO®
League (Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9 year-olds.
