Marion, SC, February 9, 2022– The Duke Energy Foundation presented the Marion County FIRST Robotics Team with a check for five thousand dollars to be used by TEAM 1051 to compete during the 2022 season. Marion County Robotics TEAM 1051 consists of Marion County high school students and area mentors.

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) experience inspires 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 abilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. The Duke Energy Foundation has supported the robotics team for the past twenty years.

TEAM 1051 has successfully competed in the FIRST arena since 2003, now in its 20^th season, the FIRST experience allows Marion County high school students to be involved in a project that reflects all aspects of a business. Students are involved in planning, fundraising, public relations, design, construction, inventory, finance, logistics, and time management.  Students observe and work alongside technical and business professionals to complete a very time-sensitive and highly technical-competitive project. During the 2022 competition season,

TEAM 1051 will compete in the Electric City Regional to be held at Anderson, SC, and the Smoky Mountains Regional at Knoxville, TN during the months of March and April. This year, 3,225 FIRST teams will participate in 150 worldwide events to include 80,600 high school students from 26 countries.

The team is based at the Academy for Careers and Technology and is an after-school activity. The team actively searches for high school students and adults interested in participating. To obtain additional information or join TEAM 1051, you can contact the Academy at (843) 423-1941.