October 2, 2013 - Rockwell Automation today launched the Engineering Our Future video contest, designed to excite and inspire elementary, middle and high school students about future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). To participate in the contest, FIRST teams will submit a video answering the question: What could your team engineer that would have a positive impact on your community and our world? Rockwell Automation will award up to $10,000 in team grants. “The students participating in FIRST programs are poised to become our next generation of creative problem solvers dedicated to finding solutions to our world’s most complex and pressing challenges,” said Ninveh Neuman, vice president of global commercial marketing, Rockwell Automation.
“As Rockwell Automation celebrates the 110th anniversary of its Allen-Bradley brand, a milestone achieved thanks to the commitment of countless innovators, we wanted to look to the future. The Engineering Our Future contest engages our world’s future innovators and asks them to consider how they could create a more productive and sustainable world.” FIRST teams participating in FIRST LEGO League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) are eligible to enter the contest by creating and submitting a video 60 seconds or less in length. All video entries must first be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, and teams will be asked to provide a link to their video as part of the entry process.
Video entries will be accepted through Oct. 31. Participating teams will compete in a public vote to win team grants.
Voting begins Nov. 5 and runs through Nov. 29, and people can vote once per day by visiting the Engineering Our Future contest website. The teams with the most votes will be awarded team grants, to be applied to the 2013-2014 season for FTC and FRC teams or the 2014-2015 season for FLL teams. "FIRST thanks Rockwell Automation for helping advance our organization’s mission to expand STEM experiences for all kids," said Donald E.
Bossi, President, FIRST. “As a truly supportive partner for many years, Rockwell Automation really understands how crucial it is that we provide all students with experiences that inspire innovation and cultivate a passion for science and engineering through real-world challenges.”
About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 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 support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $16 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) for students in grades 9-12; FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for grades 7-12; FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.
FLL) for grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to http://www.usfirst.org.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs over 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.