Killer Bees, Bionic Barons, Purple Raiders and the More Martians Prepare to Invade 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• 10 Michigan High School Teams Receive $30,000 Boost from The Chrysler Foundation
• Grants Bring the Total for the 2013 Robotics Season to More Than $185,000

The Chrysler Foundation, the charitable arm of Chrysler Group LLC, today announced additional grants totaling nearly $30,000 to support 10 Michigan high school robotics teams, which qualified to compete for the 2013 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Championship April 24-27 at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo. The grants will help the teams offset costs associated with items such as registration fees; parts and materials; and team apparel.

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Teams vying for the championship will compete in a high-tech version of disc golf, called ULTIMATE ASCENT(sm). During each match, two competing Alliances (each comprised of three robotics teams) will try to score as many flying discs into their goals as possible in 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Matches end with robots attempting to climb up pyramids located near the middle of the field.

"The Chrysler Foundation and Chrysler Group are proud to play a role in encouraging students to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education," said Jody Trapasso, Senior Vice President - External Affairs, Chrysler Group LLC and President of The Chrysler Foundation. "We wish all of the teams the best of luck as they embark on this exciting and rewarding challenge."

The teams secured their championship berths and the additional funds from The Chrysler Foundation as the result of their performances at regional and district competitions that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and the determination of students. The Chrysler Foundation distributed grants to the following high schools:

SCHOOLS LOCATION TEAM NAME
Andover & Lahser High Schools, Bloomfield Hills - Bionic Barons
Bishop Foley Catholic High School, Madison Heights - Foley Freeze
Goodrich High School, Goodrich - More Martians
Grand Blanc High School, Grand Blanc - EngiNERDs
Macomb Academy of Arts & Sciences, Armada - Fighting PI
Notre Dame Preparatory School, Auburn Hills - Killer Bees
OSMTech Academy at Clarkston High School, Clarkston Team RUSH
Oxford Community Schools, Oxford - TORC
Pontiac High School, Pontiac - Wings of Fire
Rochester Adams and Stoney Creek High Schools, Rochester Hills - Adambots

The Chrysler Foundation is also providing additional funds to Assumption College Catholic High School (Purple Raiders) from Windsor, ON, bringing the total amount of grants awarded for the 2013 FIRST robotics season to more than $185,000. Over the past 17 years, The Chrysler Foundation and Chrysler Group have invested more than $1.7 million to support FIRST Robotics teams across the United States and Canada. Additionally, numerous Chrysler Group employees volunteer their time and talents to the teams, serving as team mentors and competition coordinators.

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. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

About The Chrysler Foundation
The Chrysler Foundation, the charitable arm of Chrysler Group LLC, has established a proud legacy of empowering people in the communities where we live and work. The Chrysler Foundation focuses on four key areas through its grant application process and volunteer activities: Education: K-12 and post-secondary education initiatives that encourage the study and pursuit of careers in business, design, science, technology, engineering, mathematics or supply-chain management; Military: support for our nation's service members and their families in need; Multicultural / Diversity: initiatives that promote inclusion and advancement opportunities for diverse populations; and Youth Development: organizations and programs that provide mentoring and related assistance to aid youth in the transition to adulthood.

Since its inception in 1953, The Chrysler Foundation has awarded more than $500 million in charitable grants.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC