This Central Florida team works on its robot before a match in the 2004 Florida Regional FIRST competition in the University of Central Florida Arena.

This Central Florida team works on its robot before a match in the 2004 Florida Regional FIRST competition in the University of Central Florida Arena. The event hosted 41 teams from Canada, Brazil, Great Britain and the United States. Among observers at the annual event were Center Director Jim Kennedy and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who both spoke at the event luncheon. 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.