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Palmetto Partners announces “Rebound Rumble” as high-school students from six states and Charleston area schools gather to showcase their hard work in the 2012 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Palmetto Regional.

From Thursday, March 22, 2012 to Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the North Charleston Coliseum, over 1,000 students making up 42 teams, as well as engineering and technical mentors will demonstrate their skill for science, mathematics, and technology. They will compete for honors and recognition that reward design excellence, competitive play, sportsmanship, and high-impact partnerships between schools, businesses, and communities. The highly competitive, action-packed contest is described as a rock concert and sporting event rolled into one.

The Opening Ceremonies on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 9:00am will include South Carolina Superintendent of Education, Dr. Mick Zais, North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey, and The Citadel President, Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa. Afterwards, games will begin. A full schedule of events.

Over a six-week timeframe, students work with professional engineering Mentors to design a robot that solves a problem using a Kit of Parts and a standard set of rules. Once these young inventors create the robot, their teams participate in regional competitions that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students.

The 2012 “Rebound Rumble” robotics game is played between two Alliances of three teams each. Each Alliance competes by trying to score as many of the basketballs in the hoops as possible during the two minute and 15-second match. Balls scored in higher hoops score teams more points. Team Alliances are awarded bonus points if they are balanced on bridges at the end of the match. Game animation of Rebound Rumble.

Apart from the game itself, teams are judged on design, team spirit, professionalism, and perseverance.

Now in its 21st season, the FIRST Robotics Competition encompasses more than 58,000 high school students participating on approximately 2,343 teams in the United States and worldwide. The regional events will lead to the FRC Championship, an international competition, at the Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri 25-28 April, 2012.

FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen, developer of the first portable insulin pump and the first portable kidney dialysis machine, to “create a world where science and technology are celebrated where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”

“The varsity sport for the mind,” the FIRST Robotics Competition combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.

This season, participating FIRST students are eligible to apply for more than $14 million in scholarships from 130 leading universities and colleges.

Students: Learn from professional engineers Build and compete with a robot of their own design Learn and use sophisticated software and hardware Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments Earn a place in the World Championship in St. Louis, MO in April 2012 Qualify for over $14 million in college scholarships