Science and Technology Rock the Georgia Dome at the 2009 FIRST Championship

Photo by Michael Walker

 
More than 10,000 students from 28 countries and 532 custom-built robots swarmed Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, April 16-18, to compete at the FIRST Championship, discovering the excitement of science and technology as they engaged in three robotics competitions: the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Championship, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) World Championship, and FIRST LEGO League (FLL) World Festival.

Share the memories by viewing the 2009 Championship wrap video and photo galleries (photography by Adriana M. Groisman, Brandon Newendorp, Ed Trunca, and Michael Walker).

The FIRST Championship offers the opportunity to celebrate the support and accomplishments of teams, mentors, sponsors, and volunteers. Top Championship honors went to:

• FIRST Robotics Competition Chairman’s Award: Team 236 “Techno Ticks” of Lyme-Old Lyme High School from Old Lyme, Connecticut
  
• FIRST Tech Challenge Inspire Award: Team 32 “Einstein’s Daughters” from San Diego, California
• FIRST LEGO League 1st Place Champion’s Award: Team 55 “Da Peeps” from Swartz Creek, Michigan
• Founder’s Award: National Instruments
  
• Woodie Flowers Award: John Novack, Engineer, Baxter Healthcare, Arkansas
• FIRST Robotics Competition Volunteer of the Year Award: Dave Lavery, Program Executive for Solar System Exploration, NASA

View additional awards.

FIRST received nationwide media coverage leading up to and during the Championship, including Oprah Magazine, ABC World News Tonight and ABC Ahead of the Curve, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and more. Thanks to all who shared their stories to help spread the word about FIRST.
 
Save the date for the 2010 FIRST Championship, taking place once again at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, April 15-17.