Overview
A typical event consists of several different activities that may overlap during the day. These activities include:
- Team check-in
- Pit area set up
- Inspection
- Event Meeting (Opening Ceremony)
- Qualifying Teamwork matches
- Judging: Competition Logbooks and Interviews
- Skills matches: Piloting and Autonomous
- Alliance selection
- Elimination matches
- Awards ceremony (Closing Ceremony)
Safety at Events
Be sure to have everyone review the Safety Rules of the Competition Manual. Also remember that all students are required to have a responsible adult onsite to supervise them. The adult must obey all rules and be careful to not violate student-centered policies, but must be present at the event in the case of an emergency. Violations of this rule may result in removal from the event. Anyone near the Missions fields are required to wear safety glasses or prescription glasses.
Team Check-in
First Stop, Team check-in! This is a designated area where coaches will inform the Check-in Volunteer Staff that their team has arrived. At team check-in, the coach will receive any pertinent information that may include an inspection sheet, agenda, and/or venue map.
Be sure that all team participants’ parents or guardians have either completed the Participant Release Form online or have completed a paper consent form prior to the event. More information on participant release forms is available in this article.
- All teams must be accompanied by an adult. The adult must be present during Team Check-in.
- If the event will be judging physical Competition Logbooks, these will be collected from teams at Team Check-in.
Team Pit Area
Teams will be assigned a workspace (Pit) at the event. The “Pits” may be in the same room as the competition or in an area nearby. Each team will typically be provided with a table and chairs, as well as access to electricity to use for battery charging.
Team Pit Areas will be labeled with a sign displaying the Team Number. Pits are arranged in numerical order.
Larger (Championship) events may have pipe and drape or canopies defining each team’s pit space and allow teams to decorate. Check the event description for more details.
Flight Clearance Inspection
Prior to the start of qualifying or skills matches, teams must receive a flight clearance to ensure they are in compliance with regulations. Refer to the Competition Manual and the Flight Clearance Inspection for additional details.
Inspection should be completed as soon as possible upon arrival to the event.
Event Meeting (Opening Ceremony)
An event meeting is typically held in the main competition area and led by the Head Referee and/or the Event Partner. All participants, including students, coaches and other adults associated with the team, are expected to attend. In this meeting, safety, rules, and behavioral expectations will be reviewed. Event-specific information, like where to line up and/or any adjustments to the schedule, are also provided.
- Practice areas and other activities will be closed during the Event Meeting to allow all participants to attend.
Judging
Judges work as a team in a private area to review student logbooks and determine winners of judged awards under the guidance of an experienced Judge Advisor. Pairs/groups of judges interview student teams in their pits during the competition day.
Competition Logbooks may be submitted digitally (prior to the event) or physically (on the day of the event.) See the event details posted on Robotevents.com for specific details.
Matches
Teams compete in Teamwork , Autonomous Flight and Piloting Skills matches during an event to showcase their abilities. The types of matches are described in detail below.
Practice Matches
Some events will provide teams with scheduled or unscheduled times for practice early in the day on competition fields, and/or provide a dedicated practice field that teams may use during the day.
Teamwork Mission - Matches, Alliances & Elimination Matches
- Qualification Matches: Each Qualification Match is played on the 20’X20’ field, is 90 seconds long, and consists of two teams (randomly paired) operating as an alliance to score points. Teams will play in a predetermined number of qualifying matches. At the conclusion of the Qualification Matches, teams will be ranked based on their Qualification Match performance.
- Alliance Selections: During the Alliance Selection process, top ranked teams will have priority in choosing the team they would like to play with in the Finals Matches. Details of the Alliance Selection process may be found in the Teamwork Mission section of the Competition Manual.
- Finals Matches: The number of teams participating in the Finals Matches is found in the Teamwork Mission Section of the Competition Manual and is determined by the number of teams at the event. Each alliance will play one match, with the highest scores advancing to the next bracket of finals play until a Champion is determined. In the event of a tie, information on the tie breaking process can be found in the Teamwork Mission section of the Competition Manual.
Autonomous Flight Skills Mission Matches
Events have dedicated fields set up for teams to complete Skills Challenge matches on a first-come, first served basis.
In the Autonomous Flight Skills Mission, Drones are programmed by Students to operate entirely autonomously. Each Team will be given the opportunity to have 2 five minute sessions at the field to complete their Autonomous Flight Skills Mission. The highest score attained during the 5 minute session will be recorded..
Teams will be ranked based on the combined Autonomous Flight Skills Mission and Piloting Skills Mission score. The Team with the top combined score will be the Skills Missions Champion at that event.
The Autonomous Flight Mission section of the Competition Manual includes information on how a team's scores are calculated.
Piloting Skills Mission Matches
Events have dedicated fields set up for teams to complete Skills Challenge matches on a first-come, first served basis.
In the Piloting Skills Mission, the Drone is Piloted by Students to fly through an obstacle course. Teams compete alone to score as many points as possible by flying through, under, and around obstacles. Each mission is 60 seconds and Teams will have 2 opportunities at each competition.
Teams will be ranked based on combined autonomous flight skills mission and Piloting skills mission score. The Team with the top combined score will be the skills champion at that event.
The Piloting Skills Mission section of the Competition Manual includes information on how a team's scores are calculated.
Awards Ceremony (Closing Ceremony)
Events conclude with the distribution of awards to teams in the main competition area. Teams can earn Judged Awards and Performance Awards at most events. Event Partners work with the REC Foundation RSM to determine what awards can be offered at each event. The awards and their qualification status are on the Awards tab of the event at Robotevents.com.
Tips
Tournaments are busy, fast-moving days. Here are a few tips to help teams enjoy the day:
- Make sure your team is well rested and well hydrated. Bring snacks that are non-perishable.
- Dress comfortably and wear closed-toed shoes.
- Wearing team shirts or costumes adds to the fun.
- Ensure that your batteries are charged and ready for action!
- Make sure all equipment and parts are labeled with your team/contact name or team number.
- Arrive a few minutes early, if possible, and become familiar with the event venue.
- Ensure that an adult associated with the team supervises the students throughout the event.
- Review the event agenda and match schedule.
- Make sure the students know their team number.
- Assign a timekeeper, who ensures the team arrives on time for their matches.
- Encourage your team to interact and share with other teams to enhance their learning experience.
- Demonstrate courtesy and respect to the dedicated event staff and participants at all times.
- Offer positive support and encouragement throughout the day.
- Share your team spirit!
- HAVE FUN!