J. C. Penney Company, Inc. announced it will expand its support of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC) by sponsoring 60 high school teams nationwide as they compete in regional FRC events.

 

FIRST identifies its mission as inspiring young students, schools and communities to appreciate and celebrate the limitless potential of science and technology.

 

"FIRST is an extracurricular activity that aligns with JCPenney's philanthropic mission of supporting youth development through positive afterschool opportunities," said Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III, chairman and chief executive officer of JCPenney. "While students improve their academic capacity for science, technology, engineering and math, they also develop valuable inherent traits such as leadership and teamwork that will help them aspire to greater positions in life."

 

JCPenney eventually plans to expand FIRST to over 1,100 JCPenney communities within the next few years and encourage participation by "rookie" teams as well as minority and female students.