Team Information

Prior to the competition, if there is a unique situation that a team questions as to being allowed at the tournament table, please contact Dan Hummel by e-mail: DLHUMMEL0@AOL.COM

Tournament check-in begins at 9:00AM. No teams will be allowed to enter prior to that time. See the Stepan Tournament Layout for the location of your team table.

Friday, Nov. 17th will be the last day to make changes in team names . No changes will be allowed after that time.

We request that no camera's be used during the tournament.

Judging for the Research Project and Programming Award categories will begin at 10:15AM. A schedule will be posted so teams will know when to show up at the appropriate judging rooms.

Coaches meeting will take place at 11:45AM. It is advisable for questions to answered ahead of time, as much as possible.

Teams will have from 11:00 to 12:00 to get light sensor readings at the tournament tables.

RCX and IR towers should be set for short range transmission. It is advisable to keep the team robot sheltered when not in use to protect its programming.

Teams will not be allowed to bring in their own practice tables. For everyone's safety, no mats will be allowed to be laid on the floor. There are 2 practice tables available for 5-minute practice rounds. Teams will be responsible for supplying their own loose table elements to practice with. Tables will operate on a first come first serve basis.

The tournament will consist of 3 rounds of competition, with scheduled times for the judging for programming and project awards. Other awards will be judged throughout the competition day. Team members should make themselves available at their team tables at all times for the judges, with the exception of being ready for a tournament round, programming judging, or project presentation judging. Due to the small space available for these judging areas, a limited number of spectators will be allowed.

The top 3 teams in the running for the Project Award for Creative Presentation, will be asked to present their 5 minute presentation to the tournament audience directly after the last robotic performance run.

Video or flash photography will not be permitted during the competition, which could possibly interfere with the robotic programming. You may bring camera’s into the programming and project judging areas as long as they do not interfere with the judging.

A concession stand will be available selling drinks, and prepackaged foods. Please feel free to bring in snacks. Pizza and soda will be available at the end of the tournament for the teams.

The Tournament Competition Rounds

· Teams will be given 1 minute set up time at the competition table to prepare any elements within home base.

· Only 2 team members will be allowed at the tournament table at any given time while the robot is in play.

· Teams will only use elements at the tournament tables. No previously prepared elements will be allowed.

· Team members can ask the referee to pick up the robot for them.

· Referees will score the table at the end of the 2 1/2 minute round.

· No Protests will be allowed.