MISSISSIPPI FIRST TECH CHALLENGE PROGRAM












The Center for Mathematics and Science Education at the University of Mississippi is proud to be the program partner for the Mississippi FIRST® Tech Challenge robotics program for the last 10 years and beyond. We are a statewide community focused on building a better world for tomorrow by engaging students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while they design, build, and compete with robots in an annual challenge. FIRST Tech Challenge teaches students in grades 7-12 the value of hard work, innovation, creativity, and teamwork.
➾ 2022-2023 SEASON
FIRST® ENERGIZESM presented by Qualcomm is our energy-related themed competition session for 2022-2023. From the machines that move us to the wireless technologies that connect us, how we grow our food to how we build and illuminate the places we call home, energy is the essential resource that keeps the world running.
Each time we plug in, fuel up, turn a key, flip a switch, or press a button to make something go, we’re using energy that’s delivered to us in many different ways.
As the world becomes increasingly connected, this is the moment for us to get energized about innovation. Together, with bold thinking and limitless collaboration, we have the power to reimagine the future of energy at any level, to power any idea or innovation we can imagine. What you challenge yourself to create will energize you, our FIRST community, and maybe even the world.
Every great step forward in our society has been fueled by a source of energy. Every brilliant invention has been sparked by these resources. Steam. Oil. Gas. Water. Wind. Solar. Nuclear. We’re constantly finding new ways to generate the energy we need, keeping the wheels of innovation, manufacturing, and progress spinning ever faster. Today we have an ever-increasing imperative –and collective responsibility –for improving environmental sustainability.
FIRST Tech Challenge teams will build robots to compete against time and each other to see who can ignite new ways to power on through these challenges. Welcome to…
2022 –2023 Schedule of Events
May 19, 2022 – FIRST Registration opens – online
September 10, 2022 – FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff event – Hartfield Academy – Flowood, MS
September 19, 2022 – Mississippi Registration opens – Click here to register.
October 1, 2022 – Bogue Chitto Build-it Day – Contact Reggie Wise for directions.
October 15, 2022 – Laurel Build-it Day – Laurel Christian School – Contact Lora Adcock to register.
October 29, 2022 Water Valley Scrimmage/Build-it Day – Water Valley HS – Contact Jennifer Carwile to register.
November 19, 2022 Gulf Coast Scrimmage – West Harrison High School – Contact Mannie Lowe to register
December 3, 2022 – Flowood Qualifier – Hartfield Academy – Flowood, MS
January 7, 2023 – Grenada Qualifier – Grenada Middle School – Grenada, MS
January 14, 2023 – Bogue Chitto Qualifier – Bogue Chitto Attendance Center – Bogue Chitto, MS
January 21, 2023 – Meridian Qualifier – The Lamar School – Meridian, MS
January 28, 2023 – Biloxi Qualifier – St. Patrick’s Catholic School – Biloxi, MS
February 11, 2023 – Laurel Qualifier – Laurel Christian School – Laurel, MS
March 3-4, 2023 – Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship – University of Mississippi – Oxford, MS
April 19-22, 2023 – FIRST Championships – George R. Brown Convention Center – Houston, TX
2022-2023 Qualifiers
Registration link for all Qualifiers
December 3, 2022 – Flowood Qualifier – Hartfield Academy – Flowood, MS – Results
January 7, 2023 – Grenada Qualifier – Grenada Middle School – Grenada, MS – Volunteer Here – Results
January 14, 2023 – Bogue Chitto qualifier – Bogue Chitto Attendance Center – Bogue Chitto, MS – Volunteer Here – Results
January 21, 2023 – Meridian Qualifier – The Lamar School – Meridian, MS – Volunteer Here – Results
January 28, 2023 – Biloxi Qualifier – St. Patrick’s Catholic School – Biloxi, MS – Volunteer Here – Results
February 11, 2023 – Laurel Qualifier – Laurel Christian School – Laurel, MS – Volunteer Here – Results
The Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship will take place on Friday-Saturday, March 3-4, 2023 at the University of Mississippi of Mississippi in Oxford. Judging, Robot Inspection, and Field Inspection will take place at the Jackson Avenue Center on Friday afternoon, 3/3/23. The robot competition will take place on Saturday, 3/4/23 at the Tad Smith Coliseum.
18 teams will be representing their schools and communities trying to earn 2 invitations to the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships in Houston, TX in April.
The Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship tournament was held on March 3-4 at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Here are the results from the 2022-2023 POWERPLAYsm presented by Raytheon Technologies Mississippi Championship:
Award | Team | |
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Inspire Award | Winner: #8651 – Wait For It… (Rankin Robotics, Pearl, MS) Finalist: #16151 – R U Serious (NGenius Learning, Brandon, MS) | |
Winning Alliance | Captain: #6273 –Technocats (Bogue Chitto Attendance Center, Bogue Chitto, MS) 1st Pick: #14236 – Slight Malfunction (Wesson Community Group, Wesson, MS) | |
Finalist Alliance | Captain: #8651 – Wait For It… (Rankin Robotics, Pearl, MS) 1st Pick: #6302 – Odyssey (Hartfield Academy, Flowood, MS) | |
Think Award | Winner: #16151 – R U Serious (NGenius Learning, Brandon, MS) Finalist: #6302 – Odyssey (Hartfield Academy, Flowood, MS) | |
Connect Award | Winner: #6302 – Odyssey (Hartfield Academy, Flowood, MS) Finalist: #10191 – Trial and Error (Vicksburg Jr. High School, Vicksburg, MS) | |
Innovate Award by Raytheon Technologies | Winner: #14236 – Slight Malfunction (Wesson Community Group, Wesson, MS) Finalist: #6273 – Technocats (Bogue Chitto Attendance Center, Bogue Chitto, MS) | |
Control Award presented by ARM, Inc. | Winner: #11279 – Pure Imagination (Grenada School District, Grenada, MS) Finalist: #14236 – Slight Malfunction (Wesson Community Group, Wesson, MS) | |
Motivate Award | Winner: #6556 – Tempest – (St. Patrick Catholic High School, Biloxi, MS) Finalist: #10191 – Trial and Error (Vicksburg Jr. High School, Vicksburg, MS) | |
Design Award | Winner: #6273 – Technocats (Bogue Chitto Attendance Center, Bogue Chitto, MS) Finalist: #8651 – Wait For It… (Rankin Robotics, Pearl, MS) | |
Judge’s Award | Winner: #13176 – Spark-O-Matic (Jackson/Hinds Public Library, Jackson, MS) | |
Promote Award |
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Compass Award | Mr. Leslie Trigg – #6302 – Odyssey (Hartfield Academy, Flowood, MS) | |
Courage Award in memory of Dawn Lyles | Katie Breedlove, Lead Scorekeeper – Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge | |
Volunteer of the Year Award | Jacee Palmer, Referee – Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge, Americorps VISTA | |
Program Delivery Partner’s Award | Blake Adams, Regional Lead Judge Advisor – School of Education – University of Mississippi | |
Dean’s List Finalists |
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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 team members, 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, while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and working as a team.The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming. Teams design and build robots, raise funds, design and market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Participants are eligible to apply for over $80M in college scholarships throughout the country.
Find out more information at http://www.firstinspires.org/ftc.
➾ Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved with the Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge program. Individuals can power tomorrow’s future by mentoring teams, volunteering at tournaments, or joining 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. We share the same neighborhoods, challenges, and dreams for our future. FIRST Tech Challenge is privileged to have the support of some of the most respected organizations in the world.
Together we build the future!