The 2014 FIRST Championship was held last week in St. Louis, and top electronics distributor Mouser Electronics was among the event’s key sponsors. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) engages students in grades K-12 in mentor-based programs to enhance science, engineering, and technology skills. Held April 23-26 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, the FIRST Robotics Competition is designed for high-school students and provides them “real-world engineering” experience.
Co-sponsored by Mouser, TE, and Altera, the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Hall of Fame exhibit at this year’s FIRST Championship recognizes past recipients of the highest honor at FRC—the Chairman’s Award. The winner of the award is not the team with the most points, but the team that represents the goals and values of FIRST. Aside from sponsoring the event, Mouser hosted a large booth in the exhibition hall displaying its distribution capabilities to offer new products and technologies from many manufacturers.
Mouser was also a sponsor of the FRC Regional Competition in Irving, Texas, and a contributor to the FRC Kits of Parts (KoP) along with the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA). At FRC, each team is given a KoP—which includes motors, batteries, a control system, a PC, a mix of automation components, and no instructions. In six weeks, teams must transform the KoP into a working robot. This year’s competition was called Aerial Assist, and teams were asked to create robots that could to perform specific tasks.
Mouser has previously supported both FRC Regional and the FIRST Championship.
In other industry news:
- Mouser Electronics is also a sponsor of this year’s “Create the Future” design contest, which runs through July 1. The 12th annual contest, also sponsored by COMSOL, Intel and Analog Devices, recognizes and rewards some of the year’s best new product designs.
- Allied Electronics signed an agreement to distribute Brady industrial cable labeling and signage products.
- Manufacturer Alexandria Industries is a finalist for the 2014 Minnesota Business Ethics Award, which recognizes businesses that exemplify and promote ethical conduct for the benefit of the workplace, marketplace, and community. Award winners will be announced May 14.
- Manufacturer Microprecision Electronics is now certified to UL 61058 for its snap action microswitches. By mid-2015 new products must comply with UL61058.
And don’t miss these upcoming industry events:
EVENTS
EDS
May 5-8
Las Vegas
ISM 2014 International Supply Management Conference
May 5-7
Las Vegas, NV
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