FIRST kicks off Saturday

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- The For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition begins Jan. 5 with a regional kickoff at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center. It's SSC's ninth year to host the event. Activities begin at 9 a.m. with a video presentation in StenniSphere Auditorium. Participating teams from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi will view a FIRST Robotics broadcast at 9:30 a.m. outlining details of this year's competition. Following the broadcast, parts kits will be distributed to team members. The teams will use the kits to build robots for FIRST Robotics competitions to be held in the spring. (Source: NASA/SSC, 01/02/13)