Rockwell Automation Announces Engineering Our Future Video Contest Winners

Nine winning FIRST teams awarded grant money for sharing how they will make a difference with engineering

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 16, 2013 — Rockwell Automation today announced the winners of its Engineering Our Future video contest for students participating in FIRST programs to describe how they will use engineering to make a positive impact. Three teams from each participating FIRST program – FIRST LEGO League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) – were selected by popular vote from among more than 140 videos submitted by teams from around the world. Winning teams will receive team grant money totaling $10,000 to apply toward future projects.

“We were absolutely blown away by the enthusiasm, creativity and ingenuity FIRST teams displayed in creating videos for our Engineering Our Future video contest,” said Ninveh Neuman, vice president of global commercial marketing, Rockwell Automation. “Seeing such passion for engineering from our next generation of innovators, especially as Rockwell Automation celebrates the 110th anniversary of its Allen-Bradley brand this year, gives us great hope that these bright young minds will be up for the challenge of creating a more productive and sustainable world in the future.”

The first-place FRC video, “A Bulwark for the Brain,” presents an idea for improving the helmet using sensor technology. The video’s creator, Team Steel Hawks from Townsend Harris High School in Flushing, N.Y., will receive a $5,000 team grant. Receiving a $1,000 team grant, the first-place FTC video, “Robosave” from Team Auto Vortex from Bucharest, Romania, describes its disaster alert gadget, which will help inform people of an imminent cataclysmic event. And Team Mechanical Anthem from Portland, Ore., was the winning FLL team and will receive $850 for its video “ED the Earthquake Detector,” describing its invention for waking people up at night during earthquakes.

 Robotics Competition (FRC)Second- and third-place winners include:

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

• Second place ($1,000 USD): “FIRST Foot”, Bonny Eagle Robotics Team (B.E.R.T)
• Third place ($500 USD): “REFRESH-772’s Way to Help,” Sabre Bytes

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

• Second place ($750 USD): “Engineering in 60 Seconds,” Lazybots
• Third place ($275 USD): “Light Up Crosswalk,” Kidz 4 Change 4-H Robotics

• Second place ($400 USD): “Safety Hazard Solution,” Tsunami Squad
• Third place ($225 USD): “Tornado Safe,” Sycamore Brickbusters" 

The Engineering Our Future video contest not only helped advance theFIRST mission to inspire young people to be innovative thinkers, but gave students the unique opportunity to engage with one of our Strategic Partners on the critical topic of applying engineering in the real world," said Donald E. Bossi, President, FIRST. “We believe that experiences like these will spark a lifelong passion for science and engineering.”

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills, while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $18 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) for students in Grades 9-12;

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) for Grades 7-12; FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr. FLL) for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to http://www.usFIRST.org.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs over 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation Inc.

For more information:

Media contacts:
Anthony Jones
Rockwell Automation
+44 (0)1908 838849
amjones@ra.rockwell.com

Michelle Wright
PadillaCRT
612.455.1788
michelle.wright@padillacrt.com

Allen-Bradley and LISTEN. THINK. SOLVE. are trademarks of Rockwell Automation Inc.
FIRST, FLL, FRC, FTC, Gracious Professionalism, Jr. FLL are trademarks of FIRST.
Trademarks not belonging to Rockwell Automation are property of their respective companies.

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