For Release:       Immediate – January 8, 2020
Contact:              Timothy W. Scee II, Public Affairs Specialist
                              315) 792-7307 | sceet@sunypoly.edu

Sponsors, volunteers, and mentors sought for annual event that draws thousands to the Mohawk Valley 

UTICA, NY – Community members, faculty, staff, and students will once again have the opportunity to volunteer for and support a world-renowned, multi-day robotics competition at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) as the Central New York 2020 Regional FIRST Robotics Competition returns to the Wildcat Fieldhouse March 18-21. 

The annual event draws as many as 3,000 people to SUNY Poly’s Utica campus where they participate in or watch the intense, nonstop robot vs. robot matches. Students in grades 9-12 will come from around the world with their families, mentors, and volunteers as they compete for honors, recognition, and the chance to earn the coveted spot at the World Championships in Detroit, Mich., in April. 

As plans for the 2020 event take shape, event sponsors, team mentors, and both technical and non-technical volunteers are sought. Interested sponsorship parties are asked to contact Andrea LaGatta of the SUNY Poly Foundation at andrea.lagatta@sunypoly.edu. Those interested in becoming a volunteer, or those with questions about the event, may contact CNY FRC Planning Committee Chair Laurie Hartman at laurie.hartman@sunypoly.edu.    

“On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff at SUNY Poly, our campus is thrilled to host this wonderful event, which has become an annual tradition that offers hands-on, experiential learning to thousands of students from across the globe,” said Dr. Grace Wang, SUNY Poly’s Interim President. “The development and enhancement of students’ STEM skills during this technologically focused competition showcases some of the exciting opportunities offered at SUNY Poly, and we hope that many of these same students may one day apply these skills as they become future innovators and leaders in the STEM fields.”

“It is a tremendous privilege for SUNY Poly to once again host the Central New York FIRST Robotics Competition, and it is a powerful testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and participants who make this event a success every year,” said Dr. Steven Schneider, SUNY Poly’s Interim Provost. “We are extremely proud of our long history with FIRST and the experiential learning it provides, allowing students the ability to find innovative solutions to problem solving within the STEM fields.” 

The positive impact on FIRST Robotics Competition participants is tremendous, with FIRST studies showing more than 88% of those who participate are interested in doing well in school and 92% of participants are interested in attending college. Teams learn from professional engineers; master STEM skills; learn and use sophisticated software, hardware, and power tools; improve teamwork, interpersonal, management, planning, and communication skills; learn the practice of gracious professionalism; and qualify for millions of dollars in college scholarships as they come away with a greater appreciation of science and technology and how it can be utilized to positively impact the world around them.

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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.