13 Michigan schools heading to Iowa to compete in robotics competition co-sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation

DETROIT, March 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirteen middle and high school teams will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in a regional robotics challenge co-sponsored by the DTE Energy Foundation and 11 energy companies.

The FIRST^® Tech Challenge promotes careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.

The DTE Energy Foundation's support of the Center for Energy Workforce Development's challenge provides materials, robot doctors and volunteers at local, regional and national competitions. CEWD, in collaboration with the Edison Electric Institute, is presenting the FIRST Tech Challenge for seventh through 12^th graders as part of a new "Get Into Energy, Get Into STEM" careers in energy campaign. The regional competition will be March 26-28.        

"STEM initiatives such as the FIRST Tech Challenge are critical to the development of a well-skilled and diverse local work force," said Shawn Patterson, vice president of organizational effectiveness and chief learning officer for DTE Energy. "The DTE Energy Foundation is pleased to partner with CEWD to encourage our young people to pursue the type of rewarding, well-paying jobs that will drive Michigan's economic progress."    

The 13 teams advancing to the regional competition are: Kalamazoo County 4-H, Allendale Middle School, Bedford Junior High School of Temperance, Bloomfield Hills Middle School, Code Red Robotics of Grandville, Community Middle School of Wixom, East Middle School of Canton, Enigna Robotics of Grand Rapids, Goodrich Area Schools, Lapeer Rolland Warner Middle School, Lapeer Zemmer Middle Schools, Marysville Middle School and Novi Middle School.

The Lapeer Zemmer, Community Middle, Bedford and Marysville schools also received rookie grants from the DTE Energy Foundation.

The FIRST Tech Challenge started with 600 teams nationwide – including 50 from Michigan – and will culminate with the national competition to be April 22-25 in St. Louis, Mo.

In addition to partnering with the energy industry to sponsor the FIRST Tech Challenge, DTE Energy and the DTE Energy Foundation are long-time supporters of FIRST Robotics programs for Michigan high school students.    

About the DTE Energy Foundation
The DTE Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE), continuing the legacy of community support and involvement of its electric and natural gas utilities. http://www.dteenergy.com/foundation.

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SOURCE DTE Energy

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