shot at overhead targets in the Virginia FIRST Robot Rumble.  Inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a not-for-profit organization, to excite students about the limitless future of science and technology by creating innovative and accessible programs to inspire students to look at a future career in scientific and technical fields. Virginia FIRST, the local arm of the organization, is a statewide partnership of teams and schools, and the community volunteers and businesses who support them in the program. The Virginia FIRST Robot Rumble, sponsored by the State Fair of Virginia, brought together 23 teams for a rousing prelude to their upcoming season. In January, FRC teams worldwide will simultaneously tune into the unveiling of the 2007 challenge. From the time they learn the details of the new game, they will have only six and a half weeks to design and build their robots. The 2007 FIRST Robotics Competition NASA/VCU Regional will be held at VCU's Siegel Center March 1-3, 2007. Prior to the weekend event, Virginia FIRST launched a brand-new program created by FIRST . The FIRST Vex Challenge is a high-school program utilizing components that do not require extensive machining or technical expertise to create sophisticated robots to compete in a high tech challenge. The Vex "petting zoo" on exhibit all week was an invitation to fair visitors to try their hand at a simple game on a tabletop field. The statewide championship will be held in Farmville this December. For more information on FIRST, please visit their website: www.usfirst.org For more information about Virginia FIRST programs contact robotsfirst@aol.com.