In 2009, its inaugural year, the EcoBot Challenge attracted 54 teams from 30 schools and two community groups. Almost 750 students, teachers, volunteers and parents attended the contest at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center. The event attracted more than 30 sponsors including NASA, Waste Management, the City of Houston and other organizations.

One of the competition’s highlights: the Maru Family from Japan. The Marus are world leaders in robotics. Continental Airlines flew them to Houston to demonstrate the potential of robotics. Their lifelike robots represent the fusion of imagination and engineering. Kids came away inspired by the state of the art and filled with a greater appreciation for the level of competition they face in a global marketplace.

The enthusiastic response from teachers, students, parents, school superintendents and sponsors encouraged us to expand the contest in Year Two.