Plasma Robotics

Official Description: The Black Eyed Peas front man/ entrepreneur/ tech wizard, will.i.am pairs up with inventor/ FIRST founder Dean Kamen for "i.am FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll," a groundbreaking, one-hour special promoting education, science and technology. The first of its kind, the special takes an inside, up close look at the 20th Annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship, a worldwide science and robotics K-12 competition that celebrates technology and features live performances by The Black Eyed Peas and Willow Smith, as well as special appearances from a host of high profile celebrities speaking out to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. "i.am FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs SUNDAY, AUGUST 14 on The ABC Television Network.

To learn more about FIRST, go to http://www.usFIRST.org.

The CNN special "Education in America: Don't Fail Me," featuring FRC Team 842, 1403, and 3675, reported by Soledad O'Brien.
CNN description: In "Don't Fail Me: Education in America", we learn that at this very moment, America's future is at stake. "If we don't generate the next group of innovators, scientists, engineers, and problem solvers," inventor Dean Kamen warns, "our standard of living, our quality of life, our security, will plummet!" American students rank 17th in science and 25th in math when compared to other industrialized nations. They don't have the skills to take on the high tech jobs of the future. This is because of how and what we teach American kids. It is also because of a culture that values sports and celebrities above all. The United States needs to change the way students are taught math and science, and children need to be encouraged and inspired to take the toughest classes in those subjects. There is a nationwide competition designed to motivate high school students to take those classes, push themselves, and learn more. Students Maria Castro, Brian Whited and Shaan Patel are actively involved in it. But is it too late for them? Is it too late for us?