Time Warner Cable has agreed to sustain the work of FIRST team 3173, the IgKNIGHTers, for the upcoming 2012-2013 year. Building on the success of last year which took the team to the St. Louis Championship and featured sponsorship of 14 Western NY FIRST Lego teams, the partnership will continue efforts to promote STEM opportunities in the region. In addition, the team will host its second Qualifying Tournament of Finger Lakes Lego League teams under the agreement.
Beyond the IgKNIGHTers, teams supported by the generous grant include students at: Nativity Preparatory, St. John Neumann, Siena Catholic Academy, McQuaid Middle School (6-8), St. Louis School, Buffalo Academy of Science, Lockport Northport School, St. Agnes (Avon), and the Lockport City Schools. In total, approximately 200 students will directly have their robotics efforts sustained under the grant. In addition, approximately 500 students and their parents will attend the fall Lego tournament at McQuaid Jesuit.
The IgKNIGHTers will continue community outreach during the fall with attendance at the Science Saturday event on Saturday, September 22nd at the Rochester Science and Museum Center (RSMC). Working with Time Warner Cable to promote interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) will be a special emphasis of the team in the upcoming year. This is the third year of the Connect a Million Minds (CAMM) initiative of Time Warner Cable which addresses our national need for improved STEM opportunities. Locally, the company is a major sponsor of the FIRST Lego League championship tournament held in December at the University of Rochester.
Glen Pearson, Regional Director of FIRST Rochester states, “FIRST is proud to have Time Warner Cable as a supporter and sponsor in our effort to inspire more student interest in STEM. We are fortunate to have the strong support of TWC in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. They have been consistent supporters of the IgKNIGHTers and very strong advocates for the expansion of FIRST Lego League teams throughout the area.”
For more information about the IgKNIGHTers, go to www.igknighters.com. To learn more about Connect a Million Minds (CAMM), visit: http://www.connectamillionminds.com . To “Set Fire Upon the Earth” using your love of technology as a catalyst, contact John Maxwell at jmaxwell@mcquaid.org or Ralph Hudack at Ralph.Hudack2@xerox.com.
