Winners from California; Florida; Iowa; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; New York; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; Texas; Montreal, Quebec, Canada

ST. LOUIS — (BUSINESS WIRE) — April 24, 2015 — FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an international K-12 not-for-profit organization founded by inventor  Dean Kamen, announced 20 student recipients of the Dean’s List Award during a ceremony at the  FIRST Championship in St. Louis, Mo.

The Dean’s List Award recipients –  FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC^®) and FIRST^® Tech Challenge (FTC^®) students nominated by their team Mentors – were chosen based on their leadership skills, commitment to FIRST ideals, contributions to their team, and their effectiveness in increasing awareness of FIRST within their schools and communities.

“I had incredible teachers who showed me the magic of science and technology by letting me do it myself. That’s what FIRST is all about,” said Megan Smith, U.S. Chief Technology Officer. “You, as Dean’s List finalists and winners, are extraordinary leaders. You are the future of this country, and also the current awesomeness of this country.”

Since its introduction in 2010, the Kamen family has sponsored the Dean’s List Award with the hopes that the award winners will continue on as great leaders of the FIRST Alumni community, and as advocates for the FIRST experience.

“It took me 20 years to realize that in addition to all the FIRST awards we have, we needed something to help organize and mobilize our Alumni to share this amazing experience with their peers,” said Dean Kamen, founder, FIRST. “As Dean’s List students, that’s your role. Keep your school and community involved in FIRST, and network with each other. Take this leadership role seriously so we can more quickly make FIRST available to every kid in this country and the world.”