Rockwell Automation Seeks "Engineering Our Future" Videos from FIRST Teams

MILWAUKEE — Rockwell Automation today launched the Engineering Our Future video contest, designed to excite and inspire elementary, middle and high school students about future careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). To participate in the contest, FIRST teams will submit a video answering the question: What could your team engineer that would have a positive impact on your community and our world? Rockwell Automation will award up to $10,000 in team grants.

"The students participating in FIRST programs are poised to become our next generation of creative problem solvers dedicated to finding solutions to our world's most complex and pressing challenges," said Ninveh Neuman, vice president of global commercial marketing, Rockwell Automation. "As Rockwell Automation celebrates the 110th anniversary of its Allen-Bradley brand, a milestone achieved thanks to the commitment of countless innovators, we wanted to look to the future. The Engineering Our Future contest engages our world's future innovators and asks them to consider how they could create a more productive and sustainable world."

FIRST teams participating in FIRST LEGO League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) are eligible to enter the contest by creating and submitting a video 60 seconds or less in length. All video entries must first be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, and teams will be asked to provide a link to their video as part of the entry process. Video entries will be accepted through Oct. 31. Participating teams will compete in a public vote to win team grants. Voting begins Nov. 5 and runs through Nov. 29, and people can vote once per day by visiting the Engineering Our Future contest website. The teams with the most votes will be awarded team grants to be applied to the 2013-2014 season for FTC and FRC teams or the 2014-2015 season for FLL teams.

"FIRST thanks Rockwell Automation for helping advance our organization's mission to expand STEM experiences for all kids," said Donald E. Bossi, President, FIRST. "As a truly supportive partner for many years, Rockwell Automation really understands how crucial it is that we provide all students with experiences that inspire innovation and cultivate a passion for science and engineering through real-world challenges."

Additional information about the Engineering Our Future video contest is available on the contest web page. Those interested in more information about the 110th anniversary of the Allen-Bradley brand are encouraged to follow the company Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.