University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

Teens to Descend on CSUN to Build a Better Robot

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Dec. 12, 2006) -- The screams and cheers will be deafening this weekend as hundreds of high schoolers descend on Cal State Northridge to test their skills in science, mathematics, technology and their ability to build a robot.

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Vex Challenge has all the makings of a top sporting event with balls, goals, team strategy and tension so taut the "arena" may seem ready to explode. But the idea behind this contest is to turn young people on to careers in science and engineering.

"The fact is that nationally we are not producing enough engineers and scientists," said Tarek Shraibati, a CSUN manufacturing systems engineering professor and one of the event’s organizers. "Studies have shown that events and competitions like this can make a difference in getting kids turned on to science and technology. You should be there this weekend; the kids are going to be screaming the roof off the place just like at a sporting event."

The contest is scheduled to take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, in the Northridge Center of the University Student Union on the east side of the campus off Zelzah Street.

The challenge features 34 teams of students and engineering and technical mentors, including several Northridge faculty and students, who will compete for honors that reward design excellence, competitive play and sportsmanship.

Each team must design a robot using a Vex Robotic Design System, which Shraibati calls "an erector set on steroids."

The robots are put through a series of tests, the highlight of which is Hangin’-A-Round, a game in which the robots must collect softballs and score points by placing the balls in high or low corner goals. The teams also must park their robots on a rotating platform and hang them from a bar. All of this must be done in less than two-and-a-half minutes.

Founded by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST was created to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and their communities. Students work with mentors, applying real-world math and science concepts to solve the challenge. Their relationships culminate with the competition, which measures the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration and the determination of the students.

In addition to the Northridge event, similar challenges are taking place across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The winners of each contest will face off at the FIRST Championship in April at The Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia