FIRST Robotic Competition Held at MD State Fair

The FIRST Robotics Regional Competition was held at this year's Maryland State Fair on Aug 23 - Sept 3. The FIRST program's goals are to inspire young people, their schools and communities with an appreciation of science and technology, and of how mastering these can enrich the lives of all.

Goddard sponsored teams of students gave four demonstration sessions per day during the first seven days of the Fair. This session included explaining the FIRST program and demonstrating how some of the robots operated. In addition, the students gave numerous interviews to a variety of reporters. These interviews resulted in several newspaper articles and television spots.

Micheal Wade commencing one of the robotic contest

Two contests were held on Friday Aug. 30. The first contest consisted of an obstacle course and moving goals from one zone to another by the robots. The New Horizons Regional Education Center won this contest. The Middleton High School team's robot won the next contest of putting the most balls into a goal within an allotted timeframe.

Students participating in robotic competition

The actual competition took place on Aug 31 to Sept. 2. Over the three-day period, employees from Goddard conducted 112 qualifying matches with each team running at least 15 times. The prize money was paid based on the final standings at the end of the qualifying rounds. Every team took part in the finals. Teams received their trophies and checks and scholarships also were awarded. The panel of presenters for the awards included Mr. Al Diaz Center Director NASA- GSFC, Rick Obenschain, head of AETD NASA-GSFC, Mr. Grove Miller President Maryland State Fair Board, John Murdock MITC.

A "Special Act Award" ceremony was held with the intent of recognizing someone or a team that did something for another team that was above and beyond the normal competition and exhibited " Gracious Professionalism". This award was voted on by the teams. This year's recipient of this award was the NASA Team that hosted this event