FIRST named Rockwell Collins the official sponsor of FIRST Tech Challenge – an excerpt:

MANCHESTER, N.H., and CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (September 03, 2009) – FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology, announced today that Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) has been named the Official Program Sponsor for the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). The announcement recognizes the distinct role Rockwell Collins will play as the primary official sponsor of FTC, the newest and fastest-growing FIRST program available to students in grades nine through twelve.

A long-standing sponsor of FIRST, Rockwell Collins has provided more than $1 million in support of FIRST programs, sponsoring hundreds of teams and events at the elementary, middle and high-school levels in the United States. In addition, as a FIRST Strategic Partner, Rockwell Collins employees act as volunteers, leading teams and providing technical mentorship, coordinating regional events and judging robotics competitions. Rockwell Collins has also contributed to FIRST‘s expansion, funding local and state competitions across the U.S. in 2009.

We’ll all be vying for the Rockwell Collins Innovate Award this year!

Read the complete story at http://www.rockwellcollins.com/news/page11892.html