Getting ready for preliminary heats, students and mentors prepare their team robot to compete in the  NASA/KSC FIRST Southeastern Regional event. Team 342, shown here, is known as the “Burning Magnetos,” from Summerville High School in North, S. Carolina.   FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) events are held nationwide, pitting robots against each other and the clock on a playing field.   Many teams are sponsored by corporations and academic institutions. There are 27 teams throughout the State of Florida who are competing.   KSC, which sponsors nine teams, has held the regional event for two years. KSC01padig099