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Mississippi FIRST® Tech Challenge Program

Building a better world by engaging students in STEM.

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Inspiring Students Through STEM and Robotics

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 since 2012.

  • 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.

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 competition 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.

 

Wondering What the Hype is About?

The Mississippi FIRST® Tech Challenge program is a lot of things. It's exciting, creative, challenging, and fun. But it's so much more than that. 

Check out our video to get a better idea of what all the hype is about.

What's new for the FIRST® Tech Challenge for 2024-2025 season?

The ocean is more than what you can see on the horizon. Beneath the surface lies our planet’s most complex ecosystems, full of life and potential for exploration and learning, where each inhabitant has a role to play in building a thriving environment.

  • During the 2024-2025 FIRST season, FIRST® DIVE℠ presented by Qualcomm, teams will use their STEM and collaboration skills to explore life beneath the surface of the ocean. Along the way, we’ll uncover the potential in each of us to strengthen our community and innovate for a better world with healthy oceans.

In the INTO THE DEEP℠ presented by RTX challenge, launching September 7, 2024, FIRST Tech Challenge teams will dive their robots into the depths of the ocean to explore the unknown and reveal its wonders.

 Dive Deep Logo

Want to Start a FTC Team?

If you need more information about starting a FTC team, please follow this link.

INTO THE DEEP℠ the 2024-2025 Season

Get ready for the best FIRST® Tech season yet. Find information on the 2024-2025 season here.

  • May 15, 2024 – FIRST  Registration opens – Online
  • September 7, 2024 – FIRST  Tech Challenge Kickoff event – The Lamar School – Meridian, MS
  • September 16, 2024 – Mississippi FTC registration opens
  • October – November -Various Build-it Days/ Scrimmages
  • October 19 – Gulfport Build-it Day/Scrimmage – West Harrison Middle School – Gulfport, MS
  • December 7, 2024 – Tupelo Qualifier – Tupelo Middle School – Tupelo, MS
  • December 14, 2024 – Gulfport Qualifier – West Harrison Middle School – Gulfport, MS
  • January 11, 2025 – Biloxi Qualifier – St. Patrick Catholic School – Biloxi, MS
  • January 18, 2025 – Grenada Qualifier – Grenada High School – Grenada, MS
  • February 1, 2025 – Pearl Qualifier – Park Place Christian Academy – Pearl, MS
  • February 8, 2025 – Meridian Qualifier – The Lamar School – Meridian, MS
  • February 21-22, 2025 – Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Championship – University
    of Mississippi – Oxford, MS
  • April 15-19, 2025 – FIRST Championship – George R. Brown Convention Center –
    Houston, TX

The kickoff of the INTO THE DEEP presented by RTX season will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at The Lamar School (544 Lindley Rd, Meridian, MS 393051240 Luckney Rd, Flowood, MS 39232).

The agenda for the day is as follows:

  • 8:15 – 9:00: Arrival and Check-in / Meet and Greet
  • 9:00 – 10:00: Plenary Meeting - All attendees
  • 10:00 – 12:00: Introducing: INTO THE DEEP / Game Q&A
  • 12:00 – 1:00: Lunch
  • 1:00 – 1:50: Breakout Sessions #1
  • 2:00 – 2:50: Breakout Sessions #2
  • 3:00 – 3:30: Wrap Up / Q&A / Game Element Giveaway

2024-2025 Qualifiers will be held on the following dates.

  • December 7, 2024 – Tupelo Qualifier – Tupelo Middle School – Tupelo, MS
  • December 14, 2024 – Gulfport Qualifier – West Harrison Middle School – Gulfport, MS
  • January 11, 2025 – Biloxi Qualifier – St. Patrick Catholic School – Biloxi, MS
  • January 18, 2025 – Grenada Qualifier – Grenada High School – Grenada, MS
  • February 1, 2025 – Pearl Qualifier – Park Place Christian Academy – Pearl, MS
  • February 8, 2025 – Meridian Qualifier – The Lamar School – Meridian, MS

Registration link for all Qualifiers – TBA

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

Center for Mathematics and Science Education

The Center for Mathematics and Science works to improve mathematics and science education in Mississippi by fostering interaction between academic and K-12 communities, support the implementation of research-based methods in the classroom, and promote interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).