Suffern, NY, February 28, 2024 ― The eagerly awaited return of the FIRST Robotics Hudson Valley Regional Event is set to take place this year, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Veolia.
From March 7 to 9, 2024, Rockland Community College’s Eugene Levy Fieldhouse will host forty-eight teams of high-school students from New York State, the UK, and Turkey. Following a pandemic hiatus, these young innovators will showcase their engineering prowess and collaborative spirit in the FIRST Robotics Competition.
During the competition, students work alongside professional engineering mentors to design robots capable of solving real-world problems using a Kit of Parts and a standard set of rules. The event not only evaluates the effectiveness of each robot but also highlights the power of collaboration and the determination of students.
Ten teams from lower Hudson Valley schools and communities across Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Westchester counties will vie for honors and recognition. Awards will be given for design excellence, competitive play, sportsmanship, and impactful partnerships between schools, businesses, and communities. Winning teams will advance to the prestigious international FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, scheduled for April 17-20.
Chris Graziano, Veolia’s Vice President and General Manager of New York Operations, expressed enthusiasm for sponsoring the event, emphasizing the importance of STEM education in shaping a sustainable future.
The 2024 FIRST IN SHOW season, presented by Qualcomm, features CRESCENDO, sponsored by Haas. This segment encourages teams to explore the intersection of creativity, innovation, engineering, and design. By celebrating the role of the arts in STEAM, the FIRST robotics community aims to inspire collaboration and communication worldwide.
Collin Fultz, senior program director of FIRST Robotics Competition, emphasized the significance of the event, describing it as a culmination of hard work and dedication by students, coaches, and mentors. He highlighted the competition’s dual purpose: to crown champions and celebrate the achievements and growth of all participants.
The return of the FIRST Robotics Hudson Valley Regional Event promises excitement, innovation, and inspiration as young minds come together to tackle the challenges of the future.