Dean Kamen issues mentorship challenge to SolidWorks World 2008 attendees
SolidWorks Corporation joins effort, pledging financial support for FIRST Robotics mentorship program
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 23, 2008 ?Inventor, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for science and technology Dean Kamen challenged thousands of product designers and engineers at SolidWorks World 2008 to mentor young robotics competitors and inspire the engineers of tomorrow.
?Adults line up in droves to help young athletes develop their skills in pursuit of jobs in professional sports,? Kamen told more than 4,600 attendees of the SolidWorks World 2008 International User Conference & Exposition, the largest annual worldwide 3D CAD event. ?We need technology professionals to show kids they have more options ? they need to help young people discover the excitement and rewards of education and careers in science and technology. In six weeks, a FIRST mentor can provide a student with learning and inspiration that can impact a lifetime.?
SolidWorks Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Rainer Gawlick joined Kamen on the stage and announced support of the program. SolidWorks Corporation will provide free software to any teacher who is a FIRST Robotics mentor and participates in an internship with an engineering organization over the summer. SolidWorks will also provide free software to any company mentoring a FIRST team for use with a teacher they invite to intern at their organization.
SolidWorks software is widely used among
FIRST competitors, and mentorships will make it easier for more students
to benefit, according to SolidWorks Corporation. ?We want to join Dean Kamen
in fostering the engineering community at its roots, the young people who will
become tomorrow?s engineers and tackle some of the steepest challenges in history,?
Gawlick said.
In addition to being an acclaimed inventor, Kamen is founder of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization whose FIRST Robotics Competition helps students discover the rewards and excitement of science, engineering, and technology. More than 1,500 teams from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel , Mexico, the Netherlands, the U.K., and every state in the U.S. are participating in this year?s competition.
?You have all drawn on mentors,? Kamen told the engineers. ?Otherwise, you wouldn?t be here. Please consider sharing your expertise.?
For information on FIRST Robotics mentoring, visit http://www.usfirst.org/. For information on teacher internships, visit http://www.solidworks.com/FirstTeacher.
About Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a Dassault Systèmes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) brand, develops and markets software for design, analysis, and product data management. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, providing intuitive, high-performing software that helps product design teams develop great products. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (http://www.solidworks.com/) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
About Dassault Systèmes
As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing - ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and 3DVIA for online 3D lifelike experiences. Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com.
