(openPR) - STONY BROOK, New York, January 7, 2012 — At the kickoff for the 2012 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) at Stony Brook University’s Javits Center, Ginny Greco, FRC Director, School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI), announced that two rookie teams will compete in the Long Island Regional FRC this year: North Shore High School Team #3950 and Central Islip High School Team #4006.
North Shore and Central Islip will join more than 50 teams from Long Island, New York City, upstate New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio at Hofstra University for the Long Island Regional FRC on March 29-31. Both teams attended the kickoff and, after learning the name of the competition and the rules of the game, picked up their kits of parts they will use to build their 130-pound robot.

“We are proud to welcome North Shore High School and Central Islip High School to the Long Island Regional FIRST Robotics Competition,” Ms. Greco said. “The addition of these two teams shows that the competition is growing, as well as students’ interest in science, engineering and technology. As a result of their participation, they will have access to over 600 scholarships worth more than $14 million this year. These rookie teams will not only learn how to build a robot, they will also learn about friendly competition, teamwork, problem solving and gracious professionalism.”

For more information, visit www.sbpli.org.

School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) was founded in 1984 by Fred Breithut with the goal of developing partnerships between local high schools and businesses that would provide students with practical experience and curriculum development, while helping the business community develop its future workforce. Over 100 partnerships have been formed. In 1999, SBPLI brought the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics program to Long Island, where 14 high school teams participated. Since then, the FIRST robotics program has grown to 50 teams, with over 2,000 students participating in FIRST Robotics and LEGO League programs on Long Island each year. The 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition will be held at Hofstra University on March 29-31, 2012.

Hank Russell, Public Relations Director
The Public Relations and Marketing Group
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Patchogue, NY 11772
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hrussell@theprmg.com