FIRST tournament slated

The 2011 Mississippi Championship FIRST LEGO League Tournament at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Miss., Dec. 3. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is designed to increase student awareness of science, engineering, technology and math. The tournament marks the 10th year of FIRST LEGO League activity in Mississippi. NASA at John C. Stennis Space Center is the primary sponsor of the annual tournament. Each year, the Stennis Office of Education provides funding and a variety of volunteers and mentors for the competition. More than 500 elementary and middle school students and as many as 50 teams from across Mississippi are scheduled to participate. Teams will spend the morning in judging sessions focused on research, design and teamwork. The official robotic competition begins with an opening ceremony at about 1:15 p.m. Teams will participate in three rounds of robot competition. Winners and awards will be announced during an afternoon closing ceremony. (Source: NASA, 11/29/11)