United Technologies Corporation (UTC) has granted $17,000 multi-year scholarships to three Connecticut high schools participating in the FIRST National Robotics Competition.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a high school robotics tournament where teams of students work with teachers and engineering mentors to complete a major technical design challenge. Teams compete for trophies, honors, and awards in a spirited, sport-like competition.

Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury, Westhill High School in Stamford, and Kent School in Kent, each received the UTC grants in support of their competition activities, beginning at the 2009 FIRST Connecticut Regional competition. The scholarships will defray equipment, travel, and other competition-related expenses.

Earlier this year, UTC announced it will provide a scholarship for an "all girls" team to compete in FIRST in 2010, in partnership with the Connecticut Technology Council.

UTC has contributed nearly $3 million to FIRST since 1995. In 1999, UTC's lead sponsorship established the Connecticut Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. This year, from March 26 to 28, some 60 to 80 high school teams from New England, New York, and Florida will compete at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, one of 40 regional events leading to the 2009 FIRST Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in April. This year, the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship Event will also be held in conjunction with the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship Event and the FIRST LEGO League World Festival. The event will bring together teams from all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico.