For Release:          Immediate – March 1, 2018

Contact:                 Dave Dellecese, Public Affairs Specialist at SUNY Polytechnic Institute ­

                        (315) 792-7307 | ddellecese@sunypoly.edu

SUNY Poly, FIRST®, National Grid Team-Up for
CNY Regional Robotics Competition

Thousands expected in Mohawk Valley region from around the world for prestigious event

UTICA – An intensive, six-weeks of designing, building, and programming original robots culminates as 35 teams of students from around the world put their robotic creations to the test at the Central New York 2018 FIRST Robotics Competition at SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s (SUNY Poly’s) Wildcat Field House in Utica March 2-4, in partnership with FIRST and National Grid.

The world-renowned, multi-day robotics competition will see students, along with their mentors, demonstrate skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as they compete for honors, recognition, and the chance to earn a spot at the international FIRST Championships in Michigan and Texas this April.

“What we’re doing is way more than a competition. While not every robot can win, all of the kids do,” said Donald Bossi, president of FIRST. “FIRST inspires a lifelong love of learning that is critical to persevere in today’s ever-changing workforce. We’re developing the innovators, technology leaders, and creative problem solvers who will make the world a better place.”

The event is expected to bring 2,500 people from around the world to the SUNY Poly campus and the Utica area, including students in grades 9-12, their families, mentors, and event volunteers, in addition to members of the public who are invited to attend to see science in action.

“We at SUNY Poly are proud to have been a supporter and sponsor of FIRST events for several years, and it is truly an honor to host such a prestigious event at SUNY Poly,” said Dr. Bahgat Sammakia, Interim President of SUNY Polytechnic Institute. “This competition incorporates a vast array of skillsets in a tangible format that provides a perfect example of the type of experiential, hands-on learning that has become synonymous with SUNY Poly.”

"National Grid is honored to help bring the 2018 FIRST Robotics competition to the Mohawk Valley and Central New York so the students can experience the excitement of seeing their interest in science, technology, engineering and math come to life in a hands-on environment," said Alberto Bianchetti, Customer and Community Regional Executive, Central New York. "Organizations everywhere are learning that when technology and teamwork combine at the highest level, success follows. Those are the attributes the competitors will develop through this world-renowned event."

FIRST Robotics Competition Central New York sponsors come from some of the most highly regarded organizations in the area, including National Grid, SUNY Poly, and NYSTEC. Sponsors provide resources including time and talent from professional mentors, services, equipment, financial contributions, and volunteers.

Over the course of six weeks, students work with professional engineering mentors to design a robot that solves a problem using the same parts kits and a standard set of rules. Once the young inventors create their robot, teams participate in regional competitions that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students.

Each year the competition’s rules and gaming environments change, requiring students to build new robots that can accomplish particular tasks relevant to the new challenge. Called Power Up, this year’s competition is focused around the theme of 8-bit video games, with each three-team alliance taking advantage of three ways to help defeat the game’s “boss.” Symbolizing goals and moves of classic video gaming, teams earn points by tipping a scale or switch in their favor, exchanging power cubes to gain temporary advantages during the match, and climbing the scale to face the game’s “boss.” The alliance with the highest score at the end of the match wins the game.

Students learning from FIRST events and programs come away with a greater appreciation of science & technology and how it can be utilized to positively impact the world around them. Teams gain valuable life skills, such as brainstorming, creative problem solving, collaboration, teamwork, planning, time management, leadership, and a myriad of impressive technical skills.

The positive impact on FIRST Robotics Competition participants is tremendous, with FIRST studies showing more than 88% of those who participate are interested in doing well in school and 92% of participants are interested in attending college. Teams learn from professional engineers; master STEM skills; learn and use sophisticated software, hardware, and power tools; improve teamwork, interpersonal, and communication skills; learn the practice of gracious professionalism; and qualify for millions of dollars in college scholarships.

####################

About FIRST

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 $50 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for students in grades 9-12; FIRST Tech Challenge for grades 7-12; FIRST LEGO League for grades 4-8; and FIRST LEGO League Jr. for grades K-4. 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 www.firstinspires.org

About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company that supplies the energy for more than 20 million people through its networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain. National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Read more about the innovative projects happening across their footprint in The Democratization of Energy, an eBook written by National Grid’s U.S. president, Dean Seavers. For more information please visit www.nationalgrid.us

About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)

SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica/Rome campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.