General Info

Please check the website as the event date approaches for updates to the event.

Location: The event will take place at the Jackson Convention Center in Jackson, MS.

Agenda: Tuesday, February 24

Lunch: Concessions will be available for purchase. The convention center is cashless, but they do accept all major credit and debit cards.

Consent Forms: All participants must have a Participant Release Form on file. It is the responsibility of the Team’s Primary Contact to make sure this occurs. A link to the instructions on how to submit a Participant Release Form is found HERE.

Digital Notebook: A digital Engineering Notebook (or scanned copy of a written notebook) must be submitted to qualify for the Excellence Award and Design Award. Engineering notebooks will be submitted digitally for evaluation via a link found within the "My Account" panel of the team contact on RobotEvents. Notebooks must be submitted by February 16, 2026 by 5:00 pm if you want it considered for judging. The notebook is only shared with event staff, including the Event Partner, Judge Advisor, and Judges, and may include the REC Foundation RSM. Details on this process are given in the Judge Guide Addendum.

Innovate Award:  To be considered for the Innovate award, you must include a completed Innovate Award Submission Form in your digital notebook. The completed form should be inserted immediately after the Engineering Notebook’s cover page or in a separate section as noted in the Table of Contents. Teams may only submit one aspect of their design to be considered for this award at each event. Submission of multiple aspects will nullify the team’s consideration for this award.

Inspection: Inspection is scheduled first thing in the morning. All teams must pass inspection to be allowed to compete in either skills or qualification matches. Please be prepared and ensure that your robot will pass inspection BEFORE the competition by reviewing the INSPECTION CHECKLIST.

Interviews: All teams will be interviewed in-person at the event. Judges will come to interview teams in the morning prior to qualification matches. Please leave a representative at your pit area at all times so they can come get you when the judges are ready for your team.

Tournament: Teams should carefully review the GAME MANUAL. Know the rules!! We will be running 3 fields at the tournament with two running at a time. Please help to make sure your teams are on the field when they need to be.

Volunteers: Please consider volunteering at our event by clicking HERE. You are welcome to share this link with parents, family and friends.

Awards: We will be giving out the following awards:

• Excellence Award
• Teamwork Champions Award (2 teams)
• Teamwork Finalists Award (2 teams)
• Design Award
• Robot Skills Champion
• Judges Award
• Innovate Award
• Inspire Award
• Create Award
• Think Award
• Volunteer of the Year Award
• Teacher of the Year Award

Lodging: We have a block of rooms reserved at a discounted rate at The Westin located in the heart of downtown Jackson within walking distrance of the Jackson Convention Center. To reserve your room using this discounted rate, click HERE.

Payment is due two weeks after a team is registered or immediately if after February 1, 2026 unless other arrangements are made with the EP.  All teams not paid after two weeks of registration will be moved to the waitlist and may be added back in, IF there is still room on the roster. If your registration payment process takes longer than two week, clear communication will keep teams from being moved to the Waitlist.  

If you have any questions or issues prior to the day of the event, please feel free to contact Jennifer Richardson by email at [email protected] or by phone at 601.259.4381.

Grade Level: Middle School

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: Remote Engineering Notebooks