Dean Kamen’s not-for-profit FIRST ^® Honors The Excitement for Science & Technology

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Scheduled to Speak on April 16 at Noon, ET

(BUSINESS WIRE) — April 15, 2010 — WHO:

• Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST ^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) – to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people
• More than 10,000 students from 30 countries and their 530 custom-built robots will compete at FIRST Championship 2010
• Students who participate in FIRST programs – FTC and FRC – are eligible for $12 million in college scholarships
• Expected attendance: approximately 20,000

WHAT:

• The FIRST Championship is a culmination of regional FIRST competitions held across the world, beginning last fall
• During heart-pounding, high-energy matches, students put their custom-built robots to the test with the help of mentors and professional engineers, evoking passion in exploring careers in science, engineering, math, medical technology and related fields
• FIRST Championship offers three levels of competition for students ages 9- to 18-years-old
  • FIRST LEGO^® League (FLL^®, ages 9 to 14; 9 to 16 outside the U.S. and Canada); FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC^®, ages 14 to 18); and FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC^®, ages 14 to 18)

WHEN: