Your first event
Prepare for inspection, judging, and matches, with a practical packing list.
An event brings many teams together to compete and share their work. Before travelling, read the organizer's information and make a team schedule. Arrival time, submission, interviews, and may have separate deadlines.
Know the main places and people
The is your team's assigned workspace at the event. It is where you keep the , make permitted repairs, and speak with visitors. Keep it tidy and follow the venue's rules for tools, charging, access, and eye protection.
Inspection checks that the robot and control system meet the applicable rules. Inspectors help identify what needs fixing. An , or Technical Advisor, supports the field's technical operation. Technical volunteers can help investigate connection problems, but your team should still know its own setup.
Queuing means assembling teams for an upcoming match. A queuer helps teams reach the field on time. apply the game rules and determine scoring and . evaluate the team for awards; they have a different role from referees.
Check before travelling
Use the current robot and field inspection checklists while still at your workshop. Measure the robot in its starting configuration, check required identification, inspect wiring, and confirm the approved and hardware. A starting is the exact arrangement of the robot when a match begins.
Practise changing the battery, selecting each , and recovering the connection. Save the working code and configuration with a clear name. Download files or back up the project before the event.
Confirm who is attending, who supervises, how everyone travels, and how to reach families. Ask about food, water, accessibility, accommodation, and medical needs through the appropriate adults. Do not assume the venue provides internet, extension leads, or meals.
Pack for the work you expect
| Category | Bring or confirm |
|---|---|
| Robot and controls | Robot, Driver Station, gamepads, required cables, and a safe way to transport the robot. |
| Power | Charged approved batteries, compatible chargers, and a battery tracking method. |
| Tools and repairs | Allowed hand tools, spare , likely replacement parts, and cable ties. |
| Computing | Laptop, charger, offline instructions, code , and configuration notes. |
| Judging | Portfolio in the requested format, submission confirmation, and useful demonstration items. |
| People | Safety glasses, permitted clothing and shoes, water, food arrangements, and emergency contacts. |
| Administration | Registration details, required forms, schedule, and organizer information. |
Label equipment with the team number. Charge and transport batteries according to their instructions. Check the venue's restrictions before packing power tools or other workshop equipment.
Arrive and get ready
Check in, find the pit, and read any schedule changes. Locate inspection, judging, practice areas, and the competition field. Give one person responsibility for watching the schedule, with a second person who can take over.
Complete inspection early enough to fix a problem. A robot that passes inspection still needs safe handling and maintenance. Changes made afterward may require reinspection; ask the inspectors before assuming a change is acceptable.
For judging, let students describe their work in their own words. Confirm the initial interview arrangements and stay ready for follow-up visits in the pit. Keep demonstrations short, controlled, and safe around visitors.
Understand the tournament
In , teams play a schedule of matches with changing partners. Results contribute to their position in the rankings. are the later matches used to decide the event's winning . The format and how teams move into playoffs depend on the current tournament rules and event type.
means qualifying for a later event. Match performance and judged awards can both contribute under the advancement system. Ask your organizer how it applies to your event; winning one match or one award does not automatically guarantee a place at the next level.
means observing other teams and recording what their robots can do. A small team can begin with notes on reliable scoring tasks, routes, and anything a partner should know. Ask teams about their abilities respectfully rather than guessing from one failed match.
Between matches
Talk with your alliance partner before queuing. Agree the autonomous paths, starting positions, and main tasks. Check the battery, fasteners, cables, and before each match, using the same short routine every time.
Afterward, write a quick match log: what worked, what failed, any damage, and the repair needed. Do not replace a reliable feature with an untested major change just because one match went badly.
If there is a scoring or rules question, use the event's designated question process and the permitted team representatives. Ask calmly and give the relevant facts. Follow the volunteers' instructions.
Before leaving
Attend the closing activities, thank the volunteers, check borrowed equipment, and count your tools. Save the results, feedback, and notes while they are fresh. Choose a date to discuss what the team learned before everyone returns to ordinary school work.