Courage Center FIRST ® Robotics Team to Participate in Regional Competition March 31-April 2

MINNEAPOLIS, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blizzard, a rookie robotics team from Courage Center, has spent six intense weeks at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, designing and building an original robot for the FIRST Regional Competition. The competition is set for March 31- April 2 at the University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis. The Courage Center team's unique focus gives youth with disabilities leadership opportunities and provides a framework for success.

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a nonprofit founded by Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology by engaging them in innovative robotics competitions. Courage Center's FIRST® team #3524, The Blizzard, is one of 500 high school teams sponsored this year by jcpenney as part of the company's multi-year goal to bring FIRST to more than 1,100 communities in the United States. Other Courage Center team sponsors include Pentair Foundation, the Tennant Foundation, NASA and SAVVIS.

"Success for our team is not about the robot. While a lot of science and engineering goes into making the robot, our team members are doing things they never thought possible," said Karl Brown, team coach. "Our team includes youth with and without disabilities. Everyone is capable of completing tasks, everyone is connected with mentors and peers in positive ways, and everyone is able to contribute to the welfare of the group in a meaningful manner."

Currently in its 20th season, FRC anticipates close to 2,100 teams will compete in 48 regional competitions in the U.S., Canada and Israel, as well as nine district competitions and one state championship in Michigan - all leading up to the 2011 FIRST Championship at the Edward Jones Dome, April 27-30, in St. Louis, Mo. Minnesota is hosting three competitions, one in Duluth and two in Minneapolis, with more than 150 teams from five states competing. This season, participating FRC high school students are eligible to apply for more than $14 million in scholarships from leading universities and colleges.

About FIRST®

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST 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. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

About Courage Center

Courage Center is a Minnesota-based, nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center that advances the lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to health and independence. Founded in 1928, Courage Center specializes in treating brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, chronic pain, autism, and disabilities experienced since birth. Advanced technologies and innovative programs are provided in part through the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors. For more information, go to www.couragecenter.org

SOURCE Courage Center