Bombardier Hosts the Launch of the 2011 FIRST International Robotics Competition in Quebec and Begins the Celebrations of the 25th Anniversary of Bombardier’s Entry into the Aerospace Industry
MONTREAL, January 8 2011 – In front of an audience of 450 at Bombardier Aerospace’s St-Laurent facility, FIRST Robotics Quebec, Bombardier Inc., the Joseph Armand Bombardier Foundation, BMO Financial Group, and Youth Fusion launched today the Quebec edition of this year’s FIRST International Robotics Competition. The Quebec debut of the competition also highlighted the 25th anniversary of Bombardier’s entry into the aerospace industry with the guests touring the manufacturing facilities and hangars of the CSeries* aircraft.
Over 300 high school students were eagerly awaiting the announcement of the rules for this year’s game, webcast simultaneously worldwide today. The teenagers, from 14 Quebec high schools, also received their kit of parts, which will be used to construct their 120-pound robots in a short six weeks. Students will work with engineers and mentors to inspire their creations and succeed in competitions across North America. The Canadian competition will take place in Toronto at the end of March 2011.
As a result of its involvement and awareness of the need for a commitment to countering dropout rates, the business community helped create FIRST Robotics Quebec, an organization chaired by Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman of Bombardier Inc., and dedicated to “Promoting the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.” Several Quebec-based businesses and institutions (including the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation, CAE, Université de Sherbrooke, BMO Financial Group, École Polytechnique de Montréal, École de technologie supérieure, Hydro-Québec, Future Electronics, Pratt & Whitney Canada, Commission scolaire de Montréal, Bombardier Inc., Bell Business Markets, Vigilant Futures and the Rio Tinto Alcan Canada Fund) joined forces to enable participation by the schools in the 2011 FIRST robotics international competition.
The FIRST robotics program comprises more than 2000 teams from eight countries. Its aim is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
* CSeries is a trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
