In response to the rapidly evolving situation with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the FIRST® national office placed an immediate suspension on the current FIRST season, which includes the cancellation of both Championship events.
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
The University of Mississippi
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MISSISSIPPI FIRST TECH CHALLENGE ROBOTICS
Welcome to the FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Program in Mississippi! We are a statewide community focused on building a better world for tomorrow by engaging students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). FIRST Tech Challenge teaches students the value of hard work, innovation, and creativity.
The Center for Mathematics and Science Education at the University of Mississippi serves as the FIRST Tech Challenge Affiliate Partner for the state of Mississippi.
2019 - 2020 Season Information
About
This 2019-2020 season, FIRST RISESM, powered by Star Wars: Force for Change, is setting out to inspire citizens of the galaxy to work together, strengthening and protecting the Force that binds us and creating a place where collaboration and collective wisdom can elevate new ideas and foster growth.
Together, we RISE.
What if you could build a better world? Where would you begin?
More than ever, we must come together to innovate and solve problems. In FIRST, you are part of a thriving community brimming with inspiration, creativity, and hope for a stronger, more sustainable future—one that’s built better together.
Click here for more information about SKYSTONESM presented by Qualcomm.
Schedule of Events
2019 – 2020 Schedule of Events
August 30, 2019 – (Alumni Event) Ice Cream Social and Game Night (Oxford, MS)
September 7, 2019 – FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff (Flowood, MS)
September 14 & 15, 2019 – (Alumni Event) Robot in a Weekend (Oxford, MS)
October 5, 2019 – Build-it Day (Tupelo, MS)
October 12, 2019 – Build-it Day (Prentiss, MS)
October 19, 2019 – “Ready or Not” Scrimmage (Richland, MS)
October 26, 2019 – Build-it Day (Biloxi, MS)
November 2, 2019 – Build-it Day (Vicksburg, MS)
November 9, 2019 – Qualifier (Bogue Chitto, MS)
November 16, 2019 – Qualifier (Biloxi, MS)
December 7, 2019 – Qualifier (Oxford, MS)
January 11, 2020 – Qualifier (Flowood, MS)
January 18, 2020 – Qualifier (Pascagoula, MS)
February 1, 2020 – Qualifier (Jackson, MS)
February 8, 2020 – Qualifier (Senatobia, MS)
February 28 & 29, 2020 – Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship (Oxford, MS)
April 13 – 18, 2020 – FIRST Championship (Houston, TX) CANCELED
April 25 – May 2, 2020 – FIRST Championship (Detroit, MI) CANCELED
Alumni Events
Alumni Events
*RSVP to Mannie Lowe (first@olemiss.edu) to attend any of the events listed below.
Ice Cream Social and Game Night
Date: Friday, August 30, 2019
Time: 6:30PM – 9:00PM
Location: Jackson Avenue Center, Classroom Q24 (1111 Jackson Ave. W., University, MS 38677)
Cost: Free
Description: Learn about the events for the upcoming SKYSTONESM season and mingle with fellow FIRST alumni over ice cream and board games.
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Robot in a Weekend
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2019 & Sunday, September 15, 2019
Time: 8:00AM – 4:00PM (Saturday), 10:00AM – 6:00PM (Sunday)
Location: Jackson Avenue Center, Classroom Q24 (1111 Jackson Ave. W., University, MS 38677)
Cost: Free
Description: Remember back to your days on a FIRST team as you brainstorm, design, and prototype parts of a robot to help accomplish this year’s game, SKYSTONESM presented by Qualcomm. Components of this event will be videotaped to provide support for current teams.
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*additional Alumni Events will be announced throughout the season.
All FIRST Alumni are invited to volunteer at any of our MS FIRST Tech Challenge events. Click here for more information.
Qualifying Tournaments
Qualifying Tournaments are held in several areas across the state (identified below). At these tournaments, teams compete for their spot at the Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship in Oxford, MS. Qualifying Tournaments adhere to FIRST standards in format, judging, and awards.
*Registration for the 2019-2020 season has closed.*
To view the results of the 2019-2020 past Qualifying Tournaments, please CLICK HERE.
For a list of registered teams at each Qualifying Tournament, please CLICK HERE.
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2019 – 2020 Qualifying Tournaments
Bogue Chitto Qualifying Tournament Hosted by Technocats #6273
November 9, 2019
Bogue Chitto Attendance Center (385 Monticello St. SE, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629)
Registration Fee: $50
Biloxi Qualifying Tournament Hosted by Tempest #6556
November 16, 2019
St. Patrick Catholic High School (18300 St. Patrick Rd, Biloxi, MS 39532)
Registration Fee: $50
Oxford Qualifying Tournament Hosted by Robodores #6076
December 7, 2019
Lafayette High School (100 Commodore Dr., Oxford, MS 38655)
Registration Fee: $50
Flowood Qualifying Tournament Hosted by NEKOS #6302
January 11, 2020
Hartfield Academy (1210 Luckney Rd., Flowood, MS 39232)
Registration Fee: $75
Pascagoula Qualifying Tournament Hosted by Avengers #11033
January 18, 2020
Pascagoula High School (1716 Tucker Ave., Pascagoula, MS 39567)
Registration Fee: $75
Jackson Qualifying Tournament Hosted by Techno Warriors Advanced #3486
February 1, 2020
Muse Center, Hinds Community College (515 Country Pl. Pkwy., Pearl, MS 39208)
Registration Fee: $75
Senatobia Qualifying Tournament Hosted by Challenge Accepted #7802
February 8, 2020
Northwest Community College (4975 Highway 51 N, Senatobia, MS 38668)
Registration Fee: $75
State Championship
2019 – 2020 Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship
The 2019-2020 Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020 & Saturday, February 29, 2020 on the campus of the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. The event will take place in two locations on campus – the Jackson Avenue Center (JAC) and the C. M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum (commonly referred to as the “Tad Pad”).
A brief schedule of the championship can be seen below. Please note this schedule is subject to change. The detailed schedule has been sent to the qualifying teams.
Friday, February 28th (Teams Coaches, and Volunteers ONLY)
3:00PM – 8:30PM: Judging, Robot/Field Inspection, University Showcase, Welcoming Ceremony, Dinner, and Social
Saturday, February 29th
8:00AM: Tad Pad Opens for Teams
9:30AM: Tad Pad Opens for Public
10:00AM Competition Day Opening Ceremonies
10:30AM Morning Qualification Matches
12:00Noon Lunch
1:00PM Afternoon Qualification Matches
3:00PM Alliance Selection
3:15PM Elimination Rounds
4:45PM Closing Ceremony
If you would like to volunteer for the Championship, please CLICK HERE to find out how to register.
Contact Us
For additional information, please contact:
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
The University of Mississippi
1111 Jackson Avenue W., Suite Q
P.O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677
Phone: (662) 915-6621
Fax: (662) 915-1762
Email: first@olemiss.edu
What is FIRST Tech Challenge?
It’s way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams (up to 15 members, students aged for grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Participants call it “the hardest fun you’ll ever have!”
Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and sharing ideas.
The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be coded using a variety of languages, including Java. Teams design and build robots, raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn specific awards.
Participants have access to over 80 million dollars in scholarships at over 200 colleges and universities. Find out more at firstinspires.org.
Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved with MS FIRST Tech Challenge! Individuals can mentor teams, volunteer at events, or join committees to help organize events. FIRST Tech Challenge is supported by a growing network of sponsors that provide funding, mentorship, time, talent, equipment, and more. FIRST Tech Challenge is privileged to have the support of some of the most respected organizations in the world.
