SR 4 Summary

• Arkansas applauds and supports students, volunteers, and sponsors participating in the FIRST® Robotics Program, which was founded in 1989 to inspire youth in science and technology.

• Nearly 50 teams from across Arkansas participate in FIRST®LEGO League, with Baxter Healthcare Corporation sponsoring the state championship tournament for 12 years and Hall of Fame Team #16 for 16 years in Mountain Home.

• Arkansas currently lacks a FIRST® Robotics region due to insufficient high school participation, with only 3 high school teams existing and at least 7 more needed to hold a regional tournament.

• Arkansas has the opportunity to claim $133,000 in grant funds, with J.C. Penney Company agreeing to sponsor 16 teams at $9,500 per team, to encourage high school FIRST® Robotics team formation.

• The resolution requests copies be provided to Walter P. Havenstein, FIRST® Chairman of the Board and CEO of Science Applications International Corporation, and Meredith Novak, Operational Partner for Arkansas FIRST®LEGO League.