Microchip Technology Inc. : FIRST® Kicks Off 2012 Robotics Competition

CHANDLER, Ariz., Jan. 11, 2012 [NASDAQ:  MCHP] - Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, and (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) today announced the rules of the game for the 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition® (FRC®). Via NASA-TV broadcast and webcast, all 2,400 high-school FIRST teams worldwide received their kit of parts and learned that the game for this year's FRC is .  Teams have six weeks to build a robot that puts as many basketballs through hoops as possible during a two-minute and fifteen-second match with other teams.  Winners of the regional competitions, including the Arizona regional, are eligible to attend the FRC World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri at Edward Jones Dome April 25 - 28.  Any student participating on a FIRST team is eligible to apply for $14 million in scholarships.

Chandler, Ariz.-based is the organizing sponsor of the , which will take place March 23 - 24 at Hamilton High School in Chandler.  Fifty teams are expected to compete in the FRC Arizona Regional, including one team from Mexico, one team from Brazil, and one team from Canada.  The event is free and open to the public.

Steve Sanghi, president and Chief Executive Officer of Microchip Technology, and member of the FIRST Board of Directors, said, "The U.S. is falling dangerously behind in STEM education, and many of our youth think that the best options for their future include being a celebrity or professional athlete.  With FIRST, we're not just creating interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education-we're providing very achievable career options and creating productive citizens.

For more information about the FRC Arizona Regional, or to volunteer or sponsor a team, contact Carol Popovich at [phone], Cell [phone], or [e-mail].  You may also visit .