Innovation First, Inc. and Autodesk, Inc. Co-Develop New Curriculum to Promote Robotics...

Innovation First, Inc. and Autodesk, Inc. Co-Develop New Curriculum to Promote Robotics Among Students and Educators

VEX Robotics Inventor Curriculum to Help Educators Interested in
Bringing Robotics and Digital Design Education into the Classroom
GREENVILLE, Texas & SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
In an effort to promote greater interest in science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) in schools across the globe, Innovation
First, Inc. (IFI), a leader in educational and competitive robotics
products, has teamed up with Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), the world
leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building
and construction, and media and entertainment markets, to co-develop a
new curriculum to be included in the popular VEX Robotics Design
System Classroom Lab Kits. With Autodesk Inventor software at the
heart of the curriculum, it is designed to encourage students and
educators to explore the exciting world of robotics and bring
real-world experience to STEM teaching methods. Autodesk Inventor
software is used by professional robotics engineers throughout the
world.

Autodesk and IFI, who have more than 50 years of combined
experience in robotics education programs and competitions,
collaborated with technology experts and teachers to design the VEX
Robotics Inventor Curriculum. It will be incorporated into the VEX
Classroom Lab Kits this spring and will provide a custom solution for
robotics education that's flexible enough to be applied at multiple
grade levels, including secondary and post-secondary education. The
curriculum, designed to comply with STEM education standards, contains
a set of 18 module units, each containing its own lesson, concept and
activity. These units bring together the value of VEX Robotics designs
and Digital Prototyping, a practice used by manufacturers to optimize
and validate their ideas before actually creating a product, helping
to remove time and costs from the product development process, and get
the "right" product to market faster.

VEX Classroom Lab Kits make it easy for schools to order by
combining a VEX robot kit with all the basic accessories and batteries
needed with the added benefit of a bulk discount. The VEX Robotics
Inventor Curriculum will be included at no additional charge with the
purchase of the Classroom Lab Kits. As an individual item, the
semester curriculum will be available for $199. Autodesk is also
excited to include one full seat of Autodesk Inventor software with
the Classroom Lab Four Robot Bundle Package. Two full Autodesk
Inventor software seats will be included in the Classroom Lab Eight
Robot Bundle Package.

"Studies have shown, and teachers have told us, that they need
hands-on activities in the classroom to help students get engaged in
all the important subjects of STEM," said Jason Morrella, senior
director of education and competition at Innovation First. "We're
excited that powerful educational tools like the VEX Robotics Design
System and Autodesk Inventor software can help change the way students
think about the design process and prepare for many of the incredible
opportunities and careers that are waiting for them."

All VEX Classroom Lab Kits are based on the popular VEX Robotics
Design System, which helps students unlock the power of their
imagination by designing and constructing radio-controlled robotic
devices that can lift, throw, climb, gather and expand the boundaries
of experimental intelligence. The VEX system is currently being used
in over 2,000 classrooms and gives young people a fun, new way to
learn about STEM subjects. By working together to create robots that
perform exciting challenges, students also gain valuable
problem-solving and team-building skills. The customized Classroom Lab
packages were developed using feedback from teachers, schools and
districts throughout the country that have integrated hands-on
robotics programs into their classrooms.

"We are pleased to extend our current partnership with Innovation
First with this exclusively co-developed project-based curriculum to
motivate and inspire students and educators to explore the world of
STEM through robotics and digital design," said Paul Mailhot, senior
director of worldwide education programs for Autodesk. "We believe
that robotics is a highly engaging and effective way for students of
all ages to learn the principles and practical application of
engineering, science, technology, and mathematics, and to prepare them
for future academic and career opportunities and success."

For more information about Autodesk Inventor CAD and the VEX
Classroom Lab Kits, please visit www.vexlabs.com/vex-education.shtml.

About Innovation First, Inc.

Innovation First, Inc., a privately held corporation, was
founded on the belief that innovation very early in the design process
is necessary to produce simple and elegant product designs. Innovation
First, Inc. began producing electronics for unmanned mobile
ground robots, and is now an industry leader in the hobby,
competition, education and toy markets. The company's award-winning
VEX Robotics Design System, VEXplorer, HEXBUG Micro Robotic Creatures,
and IFI Robotics span the education, consumer and business-to-business
markets. Innovation First's staff are unmatched in their experience in
supporting and running educational and competitive robotics
competitions. Leveraging the company's core competency in electrical
and mechanical engineering, the RackSolutions division works closely
with all major computer OEMs to provide custom mounting solutions and
industry-wide rack compatibility for data installations of all sizes.
With an advanced in-house metal fabrication plant, distribution
center, and offices located together in a 13 acre complex in
Greenville, Texas, the company is poised to continue on a rapid growth
path. Please visit www.innovationfirst.com for additional information.

About Autodesk Education

Autodesk is committed to supporting students and educators by
providing powerful 2D and 3D design software, innovative programs and
resources designed to inspire the next generation of professionals to
experience their ideas before they're real. By supporting educators to
advance design education and science, technology, engineering, and
math (STEM) skills, Autodesk is helping prepare students develop for
future academic and career success. Autodesk supports schools and
institutions of higher learning worldwide through substantial
discounts, subscriptions, grant programs, training, curricula
development and community resources. For more information about
Autodesk education programs and solutions, visit
http://www.autodesk.com/education.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software
for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and
entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in
1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of
state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers
experience their ideas before they're real. Fortune 1000 companies
rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze
real-world performance early in the design process to save time and
money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional
information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, and Inventor are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other
countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong
to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter
product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and
is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may
appear in this document. (C) 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

GCI Group for Innovation First, Inc.
Claire Church, 310-526-5530
cchurch@gcigroup.com
or
Autodesk
Angela Simoes, 415-547-2388
angela.simoes@autodesk.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008