Dean Kamen, founder of FIRST Robotics and President of DEKA Research and Development Corporation, will speak at the opening ceremony of the “Recycle Rush” FIRST Robotics District Competition at the Connie & Jim John Recreation Center on the campus of Kettering University on Saturday, March 7.

Kamen is an inventor who holds more than 440 U.S and foreign patents and has been internationally recognized for his contributions to advancing medical care worldwide. Kamen started FIRST in 1989 to show students of every age that science, technology and problem-solving can be fun and rewarding.

“Sporting competitions seem to be what we obsess over, frankly,” said Kamen, in Popular Mechanics in 2009. “So if we can put engineering, science, technology into a format of healthy, fun competition, we can attract all sorts of kids that might not see the kind of activity we do as accessible or rewarding.”

More than 40 teams from around Michigan will compete at Kettering University on March 7.

FIRST is often referred to as “the sport of the mind.” Kamen believes that “every student can turn pro in FIRST.”

“We are really excited to welcome Dean Kamen back to campus for our district competition,” said Bob Nichols, Director of the FIRST Robotics Community Center at Kettering.  

Kamen was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering in 2001 from Kettering the same year he invented the Segway.

“Kamen’s contributions to the engineering profession are countless and he is a rock star to the students involved in FIRST,” Nichols said.   

The 2015 game, Recycle Rush, is a recycling-themed game played by two alliances of three robots each. Robots score points by stacking totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with recycling containers, and properly disposing of pool noodles, representing litter. In keeping with the recycling theme of the game, all game pieces used are reusable or recyclable by teams in their home locations or by FIRST at the end of the season.

A total of 41 teams from Michigan are competing at the three-day competition from March 5-7 on campus. Local high schools represented at the district competition will include: Atherton, Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Lapeer and Swartz Creek.

“This is the 16th consecutive year that Kettering will host a FIRST Robotics competition on our campus,” Nichols said. “FIRST Robotics is a growing tradition at Kettering University.”

Five of the 41 teams – Flint F.I.R.E, Powers Chargers, Metal Muscle, Atherton Robotics Team, International Academy of Flint (Phoenix) – all are resident teams in the FIRST Robotics Community Center (FRCC) on Kettering’s campus. The FRCC was made possible as part of a $15.5 million commitment the C.S. Mott Foundation made to Kettering in 2012. It allows Kettering to offer a new, vibrant space that benefits the community, while helping prepare students with in-demand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills that will prepare them for both continuing education and the workforce. The Ford Motor Company Fund, the General Motors Foundation, Toyota USA Foundation and Robert Bosch LLC are also among the supporters of the facility.

Schedule of Events

Friday, March 6
10:30-11 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Qualification matches
1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Lunch
2 p.m.-7 p.m.: Qualification matches
8 p.m.: Pits close

Saturday, March 7
8 a.m.: Pits open
9 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies, featuring FIRST founder Dean Kamen
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Qualification matches
12:30 p.m.-1 p.m.: Alliance selections
1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Lunch
2 p.m.-5 p.m.: Final rounds
5 p.m.-6 p.m.: Awards ceremony
6:30 p.m.: Pits close