Capitol College Furthers Dedication to STEM Learning - Hosts FRC Kickoff

Kyle Anderson Marketing & Communications Coordinator 301-369-2800, ext. 3015 kdanderson@capitol-college.edu

 

 

[Laurel,] MD. (January 10, 2011) - Capitol College was proud to host the 2011 Maryland FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Kickoff Event on Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Laurel, Md. campus. More than 200 students representing 33 Maryland high school teams attended the event.

 

The event reiterated Capitol’s dedication to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning and its ongoing partnership with FIRST students. With over $530,000 provided in scholarships to FIRST students, Capitol is the third largest provider of FIRST scholarships in the country. Currently, more than a dozen former FIRST participants are enrolled at Capitol College.

 

Capitol also educates and develops future leaders in STEM fields through its Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach (SSEPO). Through the program, students in K-12, community college and college are provided hands-on education and workforce development in space science, astronomy and other related fields. Additionally, Capitol’s Cyber Battle Lab gives STEM students experience with cybersecurity issues and information assurance topics.

 

“Capitol is proud to continue our tradition of hosting the Maryland FIRST Robotics Kickoff event, and this year we hosted our largest group in seven years, with over 250 guests,” said Dianne Veenstra, vice president for planning and assessment. “Hosting the kickoff is one component of Capitol’s expanding support for FIRST which included hosting the FTC kickoff in September and providing scholarship support for FIRST students.”

 

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international competition in which high school students from across the world are given six weeks to build a robot that will compete in a common challenge.

 

The FIRST competition is a unique opportunity for budding engineers to gain hands-on experience with robotics and engineering principles in a team-oriented setting. The knowledge learned from the competition undoubtedly prepares young students for their futures in engineering education and careers.

 

The FRC is broken up into regional competitions, and Capitol College was honored to host the Chesapeake Regional Kickoff event again this year, its seventh consecutive year hosting the event.

 

Each year’s competition is different, and at the event students were given the parameters for the challenge by inventor Dean Kamen via NASA-TV’s live video feed from New Hampshire. Additionally, each team was provided an identical kit of parts with which to build their robot. Students now have six weeks to prepare their robots for the regional tournament. Those that excel will be invited to the national championship.

 

Capitol College is the only independent college in Maryland dedicated to education in engineering, computer science, information technology and business through practices of leadership and innovation. Founded in 1927, Capitol offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a doctor of science in information assurance, professional development training and certificates. Academic programs are grounded in centers of excellence; these include the Space Operations Institute, the Critical Infrastructures and Cyber Protection Center, the Innovation and Leadership Institute, and the Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach. The college campus is located in Laurel, Maryland, a suburban setting midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. www.capitol-college.edu.