GOVERNOR KICKS OFF HAWAI`I REGIONAL ROBOTICS COMPETITION
May 14 - Governor Lingle and Lt.
Governor Aiona welcomed world-renowned inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen
to Hawai`i for a rally as a kick-off for the 2008 FIRST (For Inspiration and
Recognition of Science and Technology) Hawai`i Regional Robotics
Competition. Students interested in robotics attended the rally, which
included demonstrations of the McKinley, Waialua and Punahou Schools' robots.
"We can't achieve this goal of a good life in the future without you,"
Governor Lingle told the students. "You hold the key to our
success."
Through a $1 million four-year grant the Governor secured from NASA,
Hawai‘i will host for the first time a regional robotics competition in
March 2008, enabling teams from across the state, the mainland and abroad to
participate.
FIRST is 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.
FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest
and participation in science and technology.
The Lingle-Aiona Administration is supporting robotics as part of the Hawai‘i Innovation
Initiative to engage Hawai‘i students in science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) education.
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Watch this rally.
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Read a proclamation from Governor Lingle and Lt. Governor Aiona, proclaiming May 14-18 as Innovation Week in the State of Hawai`i.
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Visit the Hawai`i Robotics website.
