For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
ComputerGear, Inc.
Terry Powers
(425) 487-3600 x120
tpowers@ComputerGear.com
ComputerGear Sponsors FIRST Washington FIRST LEGO League Robot Competition
FIRST and LEGO Education Ready for Liftoff with 2018-2019 INTO ORBIT Space Challenge Woodinville, WA August 22, 2018 -- ComputerGear, Inc., the expert in science, tech, engineering, and math (STEM) T-shirts and gifts, announced today its sponsorship of a FIRST® (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology) Washington FIRST® LEGO® League Robotics Competition team, Big Rock Robotics comprised of young people grades 4-9 in Duvall, WA. FIRST Robotics Competition tasks elementary and middle school-aged students to research a real-world engineering challenge, develop a solution, and compete with LEGO-based motorized robots of their own design. The 2018/2019 mission from the national FIRST organization is to task students to explore the challenges of living in and traveling through space. "We're doubly excited to sponsor these kids," said Terry Powers, ComputerGear, Inc. spokesperson. "By engaging them in a fun program that builds science, engineering and technology skills, we’re inspiring their innovation, fostering self-confidence, and promoting communication and leadership. Plus we know that the subject of space and next year’s 50th anniversary of the NASA Apollo moon landing sparks curiosity and learning in kids of all ages." Under strict rules, limited resources and time limits, FIRST Washington Robotics Competition teams are comprised of 4 or more students and are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand", work on team building skills and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each of 1,140 teams across Washington state. For more information on the Washington program, visit www.firstwa.org. Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, FIRST is an international, K-12 not-for-profit organization founded to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. “Each year, we design real-world challenges that fuel children’s natural curiosity and appetite for discovery,” said Kim Wierman, director. “Over the course of the season, our students will learn the value of teamwork and collaboration that is so essential to modern space travel.” For the FIRST LEGO League INTO ORBIT Challenge, FIRST collaborated with experts in the fields of aerospace education, astrogeology, human physiology in space, space exploration technology and more. These experts made up the Challenge Advisory Team, which included representatives from European Space Agency, NASA, Buzz Aldrin Space Institute, International Planetarium Society and U.S. Geological Survey, among others. These specialists collaborated with FIRST to create a theme and challenge missions that reflect the physical and social problems associated with long-duration space flight. For more information on the international program, visit www.firstinspires.org. ComputerGear® founded in 1993 to make technology fun and promote math and science sells a wide range of fun and educational science, tech, engineering and math (STEM) T-shirts and gifts through ecommerce sites, including ComputerGear.com and a nationally syndicated mail order catalog. Corporate offices are at 19510 144th Ave NE #E5 Woodinville WA 98072. For a catalog or more information call ComputerGear, Inc. at (425) 487-3600 x120 or visit the web site at www.ComputerGear.com. ########