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)
Late February/Early March 2020 – Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship (Oxford, MS)
April 13 – 18, 2020 – FIRST Championship (Houston, TX)
April 25 – May 2, 2020 – FIRST Championship (Detroit, MI)
Kickoff
Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff
Date: September 7, 2019
Location: Hartfield Academy (1240 Luckney Road, Flowood, MS 39232)
Time: 8:45AM – 4:00PM
Cost: Free
Description: Kickoff is the first event of the season where teams from around the state come together to learn about the upcoming season’s game. Click here to see the 2019 Kickoff Guide. The morning of Kickoff gives teams the opportunity to see and explore the new field and ask questions prior to designing and building robots. It also allows teams to interact with one another by sharing experiences, making new friends, and offering peer guidance/advice. After lunch, teams participate in one-hour workshops on topics such as robot design, team organization, judging preparation, and much more.
2019 Session Presentations: Coming Soon
Pre-Season Events
Workshops, Build-it Days, and Scrimmages
Bring your tools, robots, robot parts and be prepared to work with other teams on designing, building, and testing your robots.
October 5, 2019 – Build-it Day at Tupelo Middle School (Tupelo, MS)
Sponsored by FTC #12389 & #13432
October 12, 2019 – Build-it Day (106 Granby Rd., Prentiss, MS 39474)
Sponsored by FTC #10663
October 19, 2019 – “Ready or Not” Scrimmage at Richland Community Center (Richland, MS)
Sponsored by FTC #8651
October 26, 2019 – Build-it Day at St. Patrick’s Catholic School (Biloxi, MS)
Sponsored by FTC #6556
November 2, 2019 – Build-it Day/Scrimmage at U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) (Vicksburg, MS)
Sponsored by FRC#456
Qualifying Tournament
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.
For a list of registered teams at each Qualifying Tournament, please CLICK HERE.
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
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Qualifying Tournament Application Registration
Before a team can submit an application to participate in a Qualifying Tournament, the team must be “Event Ready.” To be “Event Ready,” the following must be true:
*The $275 FIRST annual registration fee has been paid.
*Two adult coaches are registered with FIRST and have been screened by the FIRST system (through the Dashboard at www.firstinspires.org).
*There are no Outstanding Tasks listed on the FIRST Dashboard.
Please note, some tasks that may arise could take longer than a week to finish.
Click Here to complete the Qualifying Tournament Application Form. After completing the application form, you will receive an email outlining your submission. Please note, completing this form does NOT confirm your attendance at your requested Qualifying Tournament. If all requirements have been met, you will receive confirmation of your assignment and an invoice (with instructions on how to pay) within 10 business days of your submission.
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.
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
