Workshops to Take Place November 14 at DeVry University Phoenix Campus; Any Student Participating on a FIRST Team Is Eligible to Apply for Over $11 Million in Scholarships

CHANDLER, Ariz. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — November 4, 2009 — AZFirst, an Arizona 501(c)(3) organization supporting FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) after-school robotics programs in Arizona, and DeVry University are proud to present a series of workshops dedicated to the improvement and education of Arizona FIRST Robotics teams. The workshops will take place Saturday, November 14, 2009, from 9–11 a.m. at the DeVry University main campus, located at 2149 W. Dunlap Avenue in Phoenix. Students may register by contacting Cheryl Bunting, director of community outreach for DeVry University, at 602-870-9222 ext. 364 or via e-mail at Email Contact.

FIRST provides students with an opportunity to develop life-impacting skills, including project management, team building and critical thinking through hands-on learning. The AZFirst/DeVry workshops are designed to assist students in preparing for the upcoming FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Arizona Regional 2010 (March 12–13 at Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum). High-school students on participating teams will receive a kit of parts in January, and then have six weeks to design, build and test robots to compete in the competition. Any student who participates on a FIRST team is eligible to apply for over $11 million in scholarships.

The AZFirst/DeVry workshops will be 55 minutes in length, and will cover topics such as pneumatics, electrical, LabVIEW programming, Rookie Workshop, Google Docs, programming, fundraising/marketing, project management, team spirit and more. Carol Popovich, FIRST community relations representative, said, “AZFirst is pleased to collaborate with DeVry University to offer these workshops, which will enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education for Arizona FIRST robotics students and teachers.”

AZFirst is the recipient of a $150,000 matching-funds grant from Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) and The Stardust Foundation. Microchip Technology Inc. is the Organizing Sponsor for the 2010 FRC Arizona Regional. Other sponsors include Wells Fargo Bank and BAE Systems. More sponsors are currently being recruited to support this competition. For more information about sponsoring a team, AZFirst or FIRST in Arizona, contact Carol Popovich at 480-792-7938 or Email Contact. For more information about Science Foundation Arizona, contact Terry Koch (pronounced “Cook”) at 602-682-2800 or Email Contact.

About DeVry University

As one of the largest degree-granting higher education systems in North America, DeVry University provides high-quality, career-oriented associate, Bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in technology, science, business and the arts. Nearly 70,000 students are enrolled at its 94 locations in 26 states and Canada, as well as through DeVry University’s online delivery. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, http://www.ncahlc.org. DeVry University, a division of DeVry Inc. (NYSE: DV), is based in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For more information about DeVry University, visit http://www.devry.edu.

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.

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams of young people and their mentors to solve a common problem in a six-week timeframe using a standard “kit of parts” and a common set of rules. Teams build robots from the parts and enter them in a series of competitions designed by Dean Kamen, Dr. Woodie Flowers, and a committee of engineers and other professionals. Students participating on FIRST teams are eligible to apply for over $11 million in scholarships. For more information, visit http://www.microchip.com/get/401137238078704.

About Science Foundation Arizona

Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization initiated in 2006 by the Greater Phoenix Leadership Inc., Southern Arizona Leadership Council and the Flagstaff Forty. Its goal is to build and strengthen science, engineering and biomedicine in areas of greatest strategic value to Arizona's competitiveness in the global economy. SFAz is investing in partnerships between non-profit research institutions and industry, and in the education pipeline to attract and support a knowledge-driven economy. For more information, visit http://www.sfaz.org.

About The Stardust Foundation

The Stardust Foundation is a non-profit corporation designed to selectively provide by-invitation-only grants to organizations that impact the linked concepts of family and neighborhood stability. For more information, visit http://www.stardustco.com/ .