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The Goddard News is published weekly by the Office of Public Affairs

Final Weekend At State Fair Included FIRST Robotics Competition


Robots perform skilled manuevers with plastic bins.

Robotics competition was a highlight of the weekend at the 2003 Maryland State Fair that concluded September 1, on the state fairgrounds, Timonium, Md.

Within the NASA/Goddard tent, 19 teams from five states and the District of Columbia pitted their talents and creative energy to compete for bragging rights, scholarship money and an opportunity to improve their skill level under real competition. For the last three days, the crowds were large and seemed to enjoy witnessing teams compete with robots they had designed and built.

"We have three goals for appearing at the state fair," said Mike Wade, Goddard coordinator of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and

Photo of Mr. Wade coordinating robotic competition at Maryland State Fair.

Mike Wade coordinating robotic competition at Maryland State Fair. Photos by Chris Gunn/293

Technology). "This is an opportunity to promote FIRST to the general public, generate interest to create new teams, and an opportunity for other members to learn to operate their robot in a competition setting," said Wade.

Founded by Dean Kamen, FIRST was created to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people, their schools and communities. Because of the continuing efforts of Mike Wade, robot competition at the Maryland State Fair has continued to grow each year. According to Mike, it is a great opportunity for the participants as well as the spectators.

This year there were daily demonstrations of robots that have previously competed in regional and national FIRST competitions. The final weekend included a three-day competition. There was an awards ceremony on the final day of competition and each team was awarded a plaque for participating.

The next locally scheduled event for the robots will be at the 3rd Annual NBC4 Digital Edge Expo, September 13 and 14 at the new Washington Convention Center.

For more information about FIRST Robotics you can contact Mike Wade at 6-9101. You can also check out the FIRST web site at http://www.usfirst.org/ or the local web site at http://www.mitc.org/first/.