The Silicon Valley FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Regional (aka SVR)
is gearing up at San Jose State University with competition rounds
starting tomorrow - Friday 3/30.
And Central Valley Regional is next weekend in Madera...  [apologies for
not sending a reminder about the Sacramento Valley regional last weekend.]

Websites with more information:  Silicon Valley  www.firstsv.org  and
Central Valley is www.cvregional.com

FIRST High School robotics competitions are loads of fun.   Especially
the finals on Saturday after lunch.

*What*: FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC)

  * *When*: Fri & Sat   (practice rounds on Thursday afternoon)
  * *Time*: 9am to approx 5pm
  * *FREE*

For this weekend's Silicon Valley Regional  (SVR):

  * *Where*: San Jose State University Event Center - map, directions,
    and parking info
    <http://www.union.sjsu.edu/maps_and_directions/directions.htm>
  * Pay Parking available in SJSU garages.  Free parking can be found a
    long walk from the arena
  * *All are welcome *to come and watch high school teams from our area
    and beyond compete in this exciting and fast-paced game.
  * Special entertainment is listed for Saturday at 1pm  - can't wait!
  * SVR Webcast is available  http://madstream.team1323.com/?sj
    <http://robotics.nasa.gov/events/2012_frcwebcasts.php>
  * Match Results
    <http://www2.usfirst.org/2012comp/Events/SJ/matchresults.html> -
    Updated as the competition progresses
  * Team Standings
    <http://www2.usfirst.org/2012comp/Events/SJ/rankings.html> - Updated
    as the competition progresses
  * Agenda
    <http://www.firstsv.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7...>
    for the competition

You can come for all or part of the competition, and come and go as you
please.

It's very *similar to a sports event except robots play the game*!
In the qualifying matches, three teams are randomly assigned to play
against three other teams, so there is both cooperation and competition
involved. Each round of games involves a different mix of teams and each
game lasts 2 minutes 15 seconds.   This year's game also incorporates
the Kinect interacting with a human player.
You can *watch a video* to find out more about this year's game and how
it will be played: /FIRST/ Robotics Competition 2012 Game Animation
<http://www.youtube.com/user/FRCTeamsGlobal>

Please share widely!   Thanks to Michael for the reminder to get this
sent out.

Regards, Jill