FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is piloting a new structure for its student robotics competition in Michigan. For the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition, local competitions will be held in 16 districts leading up to the finals. FIRST said the new structure is designed to provide additional opportunities for students by creating additional competitions and making the competitions more accessible to a wider range of students.

In order to handle the restructuring, FIRST has established a new non-profit in Michigan called FIRST in Michigan.

"Michigan's youth needs innovative skills and creative thinking to be able to navigate in a 21st century workplace increasingly characterized by global competition," said Francois Castaing, director of FIRST in Michigan and a member of the FIRST board of directors, in a statement released Wednesday.

The 2009 FIRST season begins in January and runs through March, leading up to the April final. The new Michigan competition districts include Western Upper Peninsula, Eastern Upper Peninsula, Lake Huron North, Lake Huron Central, Grand Traverse, West Michigan, Saginaw Bay, Greater Genesee, Macomb County, Oakland County, Detroit, Western Wayne, Washtenaw County, Greater Lansing, Greater Monroe, and Southwest Michigan.

Read more…

Source: THE Journal, July 2008