--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FIRST®:

Who: FIRST ® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) will be joined by numerous public figures to launch the 2015 season of the FIRST® Robotics Competition with a worldwide Kickoff event originating from Manchester, N.H.

The 2015 season will include nearly 3,000 teams (75,000 high-school students) participating in 105 Regional and District events. All teams, grades 9-12, will be shown the new 2015 robotics game field and challenge for the first time and will receive an exciting, new Kit of Parts made up of motors, batteries, a control system, and a mix of automation components – with limited instructions.

Teams will have six weeks to design and build a robot to meet this year’s engineering challenge.

Dignitaries and public figures will deliver remarks on video and in person, including:

Dean Kamen, President, DEKA Research & Development and Founder, FIRST;

Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST Distinguished Advisor, and Co-Chair of the FIRST Executive Advisory Board; Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;

Distinguished Advisor, and Co-Chair of the Executive Advisory Board; Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Donald E. Bossi, President, FIRST ;

; FIRST students & special guests

What: Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. The FIRST Robotics Competition is an annual competition that challenges high-school students – working alongside professional Mentors – to construct a robot of their own, and compete in the ultimate Sport for the Mind™ that measures the effectiveness of each robot, the power of teamwork and collaboration, and teams’ displays of Gracious Professionalism®. Through their participation, students experience the excitement of science, engineering, technology, and innovation; build well-rounded life capabilities such as self-confidence, communication, and leadership; and qualify for over $20 million in college scholarships.

When: Saturday, January 3, 2015 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Local Remarks (LIVE Manchester, N.H. only) 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Comcast NBCUniversal Broadcast

Where*: Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), 2500 North River Road, Manchester, N.H. *OPEN TO ALL MEDIA: If you would like to attend as media, please contact Haley Dunn at hdunn@usfirst.org or Brooke Blew at bblew@usfirst.org.

107 Kickoffs in cities worldwide: U.S. and international FIRST teams will tune in via Comcast NBCUniversal broadcast and webcast. Access the webcast via http://www.comcastcorporation.com/frc2015

teams will tune in via Comcast NBCUniversal broadcast and webcast. Access the webcast via http://www.comcastcorporation.com/frc2015 To locate teams in your area, visit http://www.usfirst.org/whats-going-on or contact your FIRST Regional Director http://www.usfirst.org/regional-contacts.

2015 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff Event Locations:

For a listing of local Kickoff locations, visit: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/local-kickoff-information.

Photo Opp.: FIRST will unveil the details of the new 2015 robotics competition game after the speaker program. Students take measurements on the new game field and inspect the challenge in order to develop strategies for robot construction, and to determine if they will play offense, defense, or both.

Broadcast Link: http://www.comcastcorporation.com/frc2015

Media Notes:

High resolution photos of previous FIRST competitions are available in the Photo Gallery: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/marketing-tools/frc/2014-photo-gallery. Photos available day of event after 2 p.m. Eastern Time by contacting hdunn@usfirst.org or bblew@usfirst.org. Interviews with speakers at the Kickoff event in Manchester, N.H. available by contacting: Haley Dunn at 603-494-5688 or Brooke Blew at 585-315-9045 on the day of the event.

competitions are available in the Photo Gallery: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/marketing-tools/frc/2014-photo-gallery.

About FIRST®

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With support from over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and more than $20 million in college scholarships, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition for students in Grades 9-12; FIRST® Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO® League for Grades 4-8; and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League for Grades K-3. Gracious Professionalism® is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.