MILWAUKEE _ Hundreds of students from 24 schools in communities throughout Wisconsin are taking their robots to the ring Friday-Saturday, Feb. 3-4, in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge 2017 State Competition, hosted by the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s College of Engineering & Applied Science.

The FIRST Tech Challenge is a globally recognized program for students in grades 7 to 12 in which student teams build robots that compete in a “thrill-of-victory-agony-of-defeat” sports competition. The hands-on experience inspires students to expand their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning in distinctive ways.

Students discover the rewards of collaboration and develop a deeper understanding of innovation and engineering. The program has garnered significant results. Over 84 percent of participants have more interest in school, 84 percent have more interest in taking a challenging math or science course, and 86 percent are more interested in attending college.

The FIRST Tech Challenge 2017 State Championship is a culmination of months of work, leading up to two qualifying events. Twenty-four teams will emerge from qualifying rounds to compete in this weekend’s event. At the end of the state championship, two teams will move on to “super regionals” in Iowa to qualify for the FIRST Championship in St. Louis this spring.

MEDIA WELCOME:
Dates: Feb. 3-4
Location: Wisconsin Room, UWM Student Union, 2200 E Kenwood Blvd.
Times:
Feb. 3, 4 pm – Robot inspection
Feb. 4, 10 am – Opening ceremonies
Feb 4, 10:30 am – First qualifying match

Details: http://bit.ly/2015FTCStateChampionship

View a brief FIRST Tech Challenge video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLC7FZJKSUs