Team Wins the Las Vegas FIRST Robotics Competition and moves on to Championship in Georgia!

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4/6/2010 - Our Salt Lake County's 4-H Robotics team, 3230 Prototype X, has won the Las Vegas FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), also winning two additional awards: Rookie All Star Award, and Highest Rookie Seed Award.  Up next the winning rookie team will compete at the FIRST Championship April 15-17, 2010 at the Georgia Done in Atlanta.

The team is comprised of Coach Jim French, Mentors-Marcelle Smith, Jim Cook, Ed Gouffax, Team Members-Heath French, Jake Nelson, Danny Jackman, Kevin Smith, Mason McFarland, and Brennan Beecher.

During the Las Vegas competition, our team was selected by the highest ranked alliance during the selection process and at that point, the team went wild with excitement. Together the three teams made a strong, competitive alliance that won every match. With Heath French at the controls, our robot held off the opposition allowing the other two team robots to score. This robot was well engineered and it performed at a high level of competition. It was an awesome sight to behold!

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics gives high school age youth the opportunity to learn not only about engineering skills, but also develop skills in communication, business team work, and web design.  "The kids are learning about real world applications, they get a project complete with deadlines and are able to create a functional robot themselves and have fun while doing it", stated Jim French, the team coach.

These kids have worked so hard to design a competitive robot their first year, overcoming obstacles, giving them invaluable experience. Now we need community sponsorship to get them to the Championship.  With JCPenneys Afterschool Fund, we've been able to cover the entry fee of $5,000 but the team is still in need of additional funds to cover travel and lodging costs.

IMAGES  |  U of U COMPETITION 1  |  U of U COMPETITION 2  |  UNLV  |  VEGAS COMPETITION  |  VIDEOS  |   US FIRST SITE

I am proud of our team's accomplishment and appreciate any support given to their advancement.

Sincerely,

Marcelle Smith
4-H Extension Agent
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4-H is a national youth development program for children that has been in existence for over 100 years.  Annually, more than 6.5 million young people are involved in 4-H.  Emphasizing "learning by doing," 4-H is dedicated to the growth and development of boys and girls, ages 5-18, of all backgrounds whether they live in the city or on a farm.

The primary goal of 4-H is to assist youth in developing life skills that help them live productive and satisfying lives. Some important life skills include making decisions, solving problems, relating to others, planning and organizing, communicating with others, leading self and others, and applying science and technology.  Being part of a 4-H club is one of the most meaningful ways to participate in 4-H.  Youth can also be involved in special interest, school enrichment, and mentoring programs sponsored by 4-H.

Salt Lake County 4-H Mission Statement:

"Salt Lake County 4-H offers a unique and quality program that builds bridges between Extension staff, adult leaders, teen leaders, 4-H members, alumni, and other local and national resources in a unified effort to teach our youth life skills, build their confidence, and help them contribute in their community as active citizens.”

Utah State University 4-H Extension staff members in Salt Lake County:

4-H is an affirmative action/equal employment opportunity employer and educational organization. We offer programs to persons regardless of age, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability.