FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and Microchip Technology, a provider of microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, announced the “Duel in the Desert,” a robotics scrimmage hosted by 48West on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at Chandler High School, Chandler, AZ. Fifteen high-school teams will preview their robots for the upcoming First Robotics Competition (FRC) 2013 AZ Regional, which will be held March 22–23, 2013, at Hamilton High School in Chandler, AZ. At the March regional event, 50 teams will participate. Winners of the worldwide regional competitions, including the Arizona regional, are eligible to attend the FRC World Championship in St. Louis, MO, at Edward Jones Dome on April 24–27, 2013.

The game, “Ultimate Ascent SM,” challenges two alliances of three robots each to score points by tossing the highest number of discs into their respective goals. Extra points are awarded to robots that climb 10-foot-high tiered pyramids in the last seconds of the match. Any student participating on a FIRST team is eligible to apply for more than $16 million in scholarships.

Microchip Technology is the organizing sponsor of the FRC Arizona Regional, joining Leader in Technology sponsor Microchip employees through United Way Valley of the Sun donations; Captains of Innovation sponsors Army ROTC, Avnet, Craig and Barbara Barrett Foundation, Microchip Technology, Wells Fargo Bank, Friends of the Future Sponsors, Best Buy Children’s Foundation, Go Daddy, ON Semiconductor, Steve and Maria Sanghi, FIRST Friends Sponsors, Chase Giving Foundation, and Wishes In Stitches. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Steve Sanghi, president and CEO of Microchip Technology, and member of the FIRST Board of Directors, said, “In addition to teaching students STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines, participants on a FIRST team learn about working on a deadline, raising funds, marketing, critical thinking and teamwork. These are the skills that we need to create a stronger and more informed workforce, to boost our economy.”

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, NH, 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.

To learn more about FIRST, go to http://www.usfirst.org/