GERMANTOWN, Md., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network
Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite
technologies and services, today announced it will be supporting
the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
(FIRST ®) Robotics Competition for the DC Region being held
March 25-26, 2011 at the Walter E.
Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The FIRST Robotics
Competition fosters science and technology education for high
school students as they build and program a robot to perform
prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. Winners of the
regional competitions will then participate in the FIRST
Championship being held April 27-30,
2011 in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. Hughes also
sponsored the Chesapeake Regional FIRST Robotics Competition at the
Baltimore Convention Center in
early March.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110112/NE29456LOGO
)
"Hughes is committed to helping students cultivate a deep
interest in science and technology to nurture the next generation
of engineers," said Dr. Arunas
Slekys, vice president of Corporate Marketing, Hughes. "The
FIRST Competition is the super bowl for these aspiring engineers,
giving each team the real world challenge to design a functional
robot, bring their vision to life and compete against their peers.
These students are truly impressive and we are excited to be
participating in this program once again."
Hughes has been supporting the FIRST Robotics competition for 5
years. In addition to its sponsorship, Hughes executives are
serving as judges in the DC Regional and the Chesapeake Regional
competitions.
"I continue to be awed by the advanced robots the students
create," said Dr. Rajeev Gopal,
senior director of the Hughes Defense and Intelligence Systems
Division, and judge for the DC Regional FIRST Robotics Competition.
"The creativity and imagination that goes into each submission
reflects how important it is to support events like FIRST,
providing students the opportunity to realize their passion for
discovery and innovation in technology."
About FIRST
The mission of FIRST 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.
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. With support from three out
of every five Fortune 500 companies and nearly $12 million in college scholarships, the
not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST® Robotics Competition
(FRC®) and FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) for high-school students,
FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL®) for 9 to 14-year-olds, (9 to
16-year-olds outside the U.S. and Canada) and Junior FIRST® LEGO® League
(Jr.FLL) for 6 to 9-year-olds. Gracious Professionalism™ is a way
of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the
value of others, and respects individuals and the community. To
learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading
provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering
innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions
for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet® is the #1
high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with
offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more
than 2.5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries,
representing over 50 percent market share. Its products employ
global standards approved by TIA, ETSI, and ITU organizations,
including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.
Headquartered outside Washington,
D.C., in Germantown,
Maryland, USA, Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) operates
sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: HUGH). For more
information, please visit www.hughes.com.
©2011 Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Hughes and HughesNet are
registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC