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Robot Competition Inspires Students to Study Math and Science

The FIRST Robotics Competition (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is coming to San Diego. Host Tom Fudge learns from two high school teachers and a local student how building

Robot Competition Inspires Students to Study Math and Science

Tom Fudge: Science and math are among the toughest subjects in school. And they are skills that become more important as our economy becomes more technology-based. But studies of math and science achievement among American high school students present a troubling picture.

Case in point. The Program for International Student Assessment examines basic math knowledge in 29 wealthy countries. Most recently, the U.S. came in 24th on that list. The countries with the highest scores, incidentally, were Korea and Finland.

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One program that seeks to get kids interested in math and science is the FIRST Robotics Competition. It's a national competition, and the regional contest takes place in March, in San Diego.  
The San Diego Regional FIRST Robotics Competition will be held Mar. 23 - 24 at the iPayOne Center. It will be open to the public and admission is free.

 
Guests  

  • Rob Mainieri , math teacher at Madison High School who is chairman of the non-profit Team San Diego Robotics Coalition.
  • Joe Acker , pre-engineer and robotics instructor at Madison High School and an advisor to the robots club.
  • Christian Beyer , junior at Madison High School and co-vice president of the "pit" branch of the robotics club.