The inaugural FIRST Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition featured 29 teams from six states competing on March 15-18 at the Magnolia Center in Laurel, Mississippi. Five of the nine teams from Mississippi competed in playoff matches as NASA’s Stennis Space Center joined with NASA’s Robotics Alliance Project and co-sponsor Mississippi Power to bring to life all aspects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the Magnolia state. The regional competition served as a championship-qualifying event for teams to compete in Houston in the world championship event in April. The goal is to have the Magnolia Regional expose more students in rural areas to STEM and become an annual FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. Full information about the Magnolia Regional and the event outcomes is available here.
Teams compete during the inaugural FIRST Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. The FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition is described as the ultimate sport of the mind as teams concentrate and share in the excitement of success. NASA’s Stennis Space Center joined with NASA’s Robotics Alliance Project and co-sponsor Mississippi Power to bring to life all aspects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the Magnolia state through the regional event.
Team Fusion 364, a NASA Stennis House Team, from Gulfport High School in Gulfport, Mississippi, prepares for competition during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. As a NASA Stennis House Team, Team Fusion 364 has an ongoing relationship with NASA Stennis and a NASA engineer as their team mentor. The team was a regional finalist during the Magnolia Regional event.
Siege Robotics, a team of Vicksburg, Mississippi students from Warren Central High School, River City Early College High School, and Vicksburg Catholic School, was a regional finalist during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. The team earned the Industrial Design Award, which celebrates the team that demonstrates industrial design principles, striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics.
The Chahta Warriors, a NASA Stennis House Team from Choctaw Central High School in Choctaw, Mississippi, compete during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. As a NASA Stennis House Team, the Chahta Warriors have an ongoing relationship with NASA Stennis. The team earned the Judges’ Award during the Magnolia Regional event, which recognizes a team’s unique efforts and performance.
Team Chaos, a NASA Stennis House Team of students from Picayune Memorial High School in Picayune, Mississippi, and Pearl River Central High School in Carriere, Mississippi, compete during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. As a NASA Stennis House Team, Team Chaos has an ongoing relationship with NASA Stennis and a NASA engineer as their team mentor.
Team Tempest from St. Patrick Catholic in Biloxi, Mississippi, compete during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. The team earned the Innovation in Control Award during the Magnolia Regional event, which celebrates an innovative control system or application of control components – electrical, mechanical or software – to provide unique machine functions.
Team Hero from Petal High School in Petal, Mississippi, compete during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. Team Hero has competed in FIRST Robotics Competitions since 2007.
Team Storm from West Harrison High School in Gulfport, Mississippi, compete during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. Team Storm has competed in FIRST Robotics Competitions since 2012.
Alpha Omega, a NASA Stennis House Team from Our Lady Academy in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, compete during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. As a NASA Stennis House Team, Alpha Omega has an ongoing relationship with NASA Stennis and a NASA engineer as their team mentor. The team is the only all-girls FIRST Robotics Competition team in Mississippi.
JXN United from Jackson, Mississippi, competes during the inaugural FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Magnolia Regional Competition in Laurel, Mississippi, on March 17. JXN United has competed in FIRST Robotics Competitions since 2019.