GOVERNOR EMPHASIZES SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH EDUCATION AT FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION KICK-OFF

January 6-10 - Governor Lingle attended the 2007 FIRST Robotics Competition kickoff event in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she addressed teams from across the nation, Brazil, Canada and Israel who will use their imagination, creativity, teamwork and ingenuity to build robots and solve engineering challenges in a six-week timeframe. "I know the future is bright when we have leaders, such as yourselves, stepping forward to do something important, something special, and in this case, something fun, all at the same time," Governor Lingle told the students.  The event is organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a non-profit public charity that designs innovative programs which motivate young people to pursue educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills.  The Governor also met with FIRST founder Dean Kamen to discuss opportunities for developing the Administration’s innovation initiatives.

• Watch the Governor's remarks here.