Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation Goes into Overdrive as a Silver Supplier of the 2008 First Robotics Competition
Pittsburg, CA -- January 17, 2008 -- Inspired by the excitement of last year's event, Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation, manufacturer of the original DualVee guide wheel, has returned as a sponsor of the 2008 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC).
Since 1989, FIRST has brought the excitement of a sporting event to science and technology via robotics competitions. At the January 5 kickoff, more than 1,500 teams, each consisting of 10 to 20 high school students and a few engineer mentors, received a common kit of parts - which included Bishop-Wisecarver's MCS aluminum profile. Using this kit and working with mentors, teams have six weeks to design and build their robots to meet the season's engineering challenge, "FIRST Overdrive." Forty-one regional competitions will lead up to the FRC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, April 17-19, according to FIRST.
"We are very proud to be a Silver Supplier of this fine group and participate in this year's game," says Pamela Kan, President of Bishop-Wisecarver. "Our involvement gives us the opportunity to promote innovation and encourage and engage the engineers and thinkers of the future."
Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter and recipient of numerous prestigious awards, founded FIRST "to create a world where science and technology are celebrated... where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."
"With its generous contribution to the FIRST Robotics Competition Kit of Parts, Bishop-Wisecarver makes it possible for us to turn the FIRST vision of inspiring young people's interest and participation in science and technology into a reality," said FIRST president, Paul Gudonis. "We thank Bishop-Wisecarver for its continued commitment to young engineers, and consider the company a valued member of the FIRST community."
Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation's continued support of FRC is part of a long tradition. Nearly 40 years ago, Kan's father Bud Wisecarver, founder of Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation, began a life-long commitment to youth programs related to education, engineering, manufacturing and science.
FIRST provides an educational and career path for young people with an interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. FIRST also rewards "Gracious Professionalism," which encourages high-quality, well-informed work performed in a manner that leaves everyone feeling valued. Teams are judged not on the final score, but on overall performance, including problem solving, innovation, teamwork, community engagement, and fostering greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology, according to FIRST.
More than 37,500 high school students will participate in the 2008 FIRST Robotics Competition, along with 21,000 mentors, 6,300 event volunteers and more than 2,500 sponsors, according to FIRST. Participating students are eligible to apply for more than $9.5 million in scholarships offered by leading universities, colleges and companies.
The kickoff, held at Southern New Hampshire University, was broadcast visa NASA TV broadcast and Web cast to teams across the United States and in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the U.K.
For more information on Bishop-Wisecarver, visit www.bwc.com. Information regarding the company's sponsorship and funding policy is available at www.bwc.com/about_giving.vp.html.
For event schedules, sponsorships or other information about FIRST or the FIRST Robotics Competition, visit usfirst.org.
About Bishop-Wisecarver
Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation has remained one of the most respected names in guided motion technology since 1950. The San Francisco Bay Area company manufactures, stocks, and distributes guided motion components and systems for linear, rotary and curved track applications. Bishop-Wisecarver products are used worldwide in industries such as packaging, medical device manufacturing, wood processing, food processing, and semi-conductor fabrication.
For more information, visit www.bwc.com.
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 the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge for high-school students, the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old, and the Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6 to 9 year olds. To learn more about FIRST, go to usfirst.org.
Renée Halog
Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation
Tel: 1 (925) 431-8234
Fax: 1 (925) 439-5931
Email: renee@bwc.com
