At the 1999 FIRST Southeastern Regional robotic competition judges compare notes about a match.

At the 1999 FIRST Southeastern Regional robotic competition held at KSC, judges compare notes about a match. Serving as judges are Deputy Director for Launch and Payload Processing Loren Shriver (above right) and former KSC Director of Shuttle Processing Robert Sieck (below, with back to camera). FIRST is a nonprofit organization, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, that sponsors the event pitting gladiator robots against each other in an athletic-style competition. The FIRST robotics competition is designed to provide students with a hands-on, inside look at engineering and other professional careers, pairing high school students with engineer mentors and corporations. The regional event comprised 27 teams. Along with the championship award, which went to high school teams in Miami and San German, Puerto Rico, 15 other awards were presented