Competition designed to educate community members about non-profit’s mission for making science, math, engineering, and technology “as cool for kids as sports”
INDIANAPOLIS — (BUSINESS WIRE) — June 24, 2011 — Interactive Intelligence (Nasdaq: ININ), a global provider of unified IP business communications solutions, is hosting a robotics competition operated by non-profit, IndianaFIRST, the state-run affiliate of parent organization FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
FIRST is a multinational non-profit organization whose mission is “to make science, math, engineering, and technology as cool for kids as sports are today.”
The competition is scheduled for Wednesday, June 29 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Interactive Intelligence northwest-side Indianapolis headquarters at 7635 Interactive Way. It will feature life-sized robots that have been designed, assembled, and tested by high school students each sponsored and assisted by local companies and volunteers through IndianaFIRST.
The fast-paced, high-scoring matches are played on a half-court basketball size field with alliances competing based on team work; a balanced combination of strategy, robot design, and offensive and defensive game play; and execution by the student drivers.
Interactive Intelligence is hosting the event in support of the Interactive Intelligence Foundation, the company’s not-for-profit charitable corporation, whose mission is to use resources and funding to foster life improvements for at-risk youth.
“We selected FIRST as a charity for our Foundation because its mission of promoting technology education among youth is perfectly aligned with our own,” said Interactive Intelligence chief marketing officer and Interactive Intelligence Foundation president, Joe Staples. “This robotics competition is a great opportunity for our employees to see first-hand the results of some of our Foundation’s efforts, while giving community members an entertaining way to learn more about FIRST programs.”
“FIRST designed its robotics competition as a high-tech spectator sporting event to show students that science, math, engineering, and invention can be exciting and interesting,” said IndianaFIRST president, Brant Bowen. “Today, these events have engaged more than 25,000 high school students competing throughout Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Israel, Mexico, the U.K., and almost every U.S. state.
“We encourage community members to come out and see first-hand how this program is helping to change the lives of young people through mentor-based programs that not only build valuable technical skills, but also foster life capabilities such as self-confidence, collaboration, communication, and leadership,” Bowen concluded.
For more information about the competition, contact Sherri Loechte, events manager, Interactive Intelligence, (317) 715-8618 or Email Contact.
About FIRST
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a multinational non-profit organization that aspires to transform culture, making science, math, engineering, and technology as cool for kids as sports are today. FIRST was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter. FIRST operates the FIRST Robotics Competition in which teams of high school students, sponsored and assisted by local companies and volunteers, design, assemble, and test a robot capable of performing a specified task in competition with other teams. FIRST also runs the FIRST LEGO League, for children 9-14 years old, and FIRST Place, an innovative science and technology center, including a hands-on children’s science museum. FIRST can be reached at (800) 871-8326, or on the Net at www.usfirst.org.
About Interactive Intelligence
Interactive Intelligence Inc. (Nasdaq: ININ) is a global provider of unified business communications solutions for contact center automation, enterprise IP telephony, and business process automation. The company’s solutions, which can be deployed via an on-premise or hosted model, include vertical-specific applications for insurance and collections. Interactive Intelligence was founded in 1994 and has more than 4,000 customers worldwide. The company is among Software Magazine’s 2010 Top 500 Global Software and Services Suppliers, and Forbes Magazine’s 2010 Best Small Companies in America. The company employs approximately 900 people and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It has 19 offices throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Interactive Intelligence can be reached at +1 317.872.3000 or Email Contact; on the Net: www.inin.com.
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are described in the company's SEC filings.
Interactive Intelligence Inc. is the owner of the marks INTERACTIVE INTELLIGENCE, its associated LOGO and numerous other marks. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
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