The Savannah Economic Development Authority hosted a reception with the Georgia FIRST Robotics Board of Directors on Thursday, June 23^rd to introduce the Chatham County teams competing.  The Georgia FIRST Robotics league helps field, support, and coordinate teams from across the state to participate in competitive events that highlight STEM initiatives across all grade levels (PreK – 12). The two Chatham County teams compete on the high school level: one at Jenkins High School's specialty Engineering Program, and another at Benedictine Military School.

The mission of FIRST^® is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, 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.  Under strict rules, limited time and resources, teams of students are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand," hone teamwork skills, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. It's as close to real-world engineering as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team. Each season ends with an exciting FIRST Championship.

See more photos from the reception here.