Redwood City FLL Regional Tournament
December 10, 2005

updated 12/11/2005
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Date:  December 10, 2005
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Mid-Peninsula Christian Academy
Address: 901 Madison Ave., Redwood City, CA 94061
Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged.
IMPORTANT: Park in the main parking lot at the back of the school
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The following 11 teams are participating.  Please note your team's slot number, pit room assignment, and check-in time.
TEAM LIST and Check-In Times
 
team slot pit check-in time Team no. Team Name Coach team coach spect
1
 1 9:30 AM
4334
 The Lego Girls Hilary Borison
3
2
12
2
 1 9:30 AM
1834
 Hillview Robotics @ SAP Manfred Kopisch
5
1
7
3
 2 9:30 AM
4381
 Taylorbots Cindy Schultz
8
1
2
4
 2 9:30 AM
4382
 Taylor 6T Cindy Schultz
6
1
2
5
 3 9:35 AM
2533
 Leviathan Brood Stephanie Bodoff
5
1
8
                 
7
 1 9:30 AM
1687
 SAP Blue Dolphins Shuyuan Chen
5
1
7
8
 1 9:30 AM
1040
 Blockheads Linda John
7
3
14
9
 2 9:45 AM
4321
 Sea Cadettes John Shield
4
1
4
10
 2 9:45 AM
2851
 Legendary WORMs Debora Steininger
5
3
4
11
 3 10:15 AM
2498
 WarriorBots Annette Lane
10
3
20
12
 3 10:15 AM
4639
 JAWBOTS Elaine Lou
5
5
15

VOLUNTEER Check-In Times
 
Set-Up 8:00 AM
Tables 8:00 AM
Judges 8:30 AM
Referees 8:30 AM
Sign-In Coordinator 8:30 AM
Queue Managers 9:00 AM
Timekeepers 9:00 AM
Pit Bosses 9:15 AM
Scorekeeper 9:30 AM
Clean-Up 2:30/3:30 PM

Please direct any questions or requests to Steve Putz (steve@RoboticsLearning.com, 408-910-1176).

SCHEDULE (Sunday, December 4, 2005)  [NOTE: Major changes  11/27/2005, Slots assigned 12/6/2006]

During the judging interviews, coaches and spectators are not allowed in the judging rooms.  The project presentations may be viewed from a remote video feed (and a DVD video of the project presentations will be available for purchase after the tournament).  Family and spectators are welcome to attend the morning or afternoon robot competition rounds, and are encouraged to arrive for, or stay for lunch.

Depending on how long clean-up takes, we should be done by 4:30 PM.   Depending on the actual afternoon schedule, the awards ceremony may be earlier or later.

FOOD and LUNCH

Food will be available for sale at the tournament.  Teams, family members and spectators are encouraged to purchase lunch and other food items.  Proceeds from food sales benefit our tournament site sponsor, Mid-Peninsula Christian Academy.  Sample Menu Items include:
 
Coffee
Tea
Soda
Water		 Biscotti
Pastries
Muffins		 Chili in Bread Bowl
Chili Dogs
Deli Sandwiches Made to Order
Nachos		 Fruit
Chips
Cookies
Candy

PREPARATION AND WHAT TO BRING

Review your coaches' manual, the challenge rules, and the challenge Q & A web page (http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=15920)

Prepare and bring the following completed forms:

Also Recommended: Each team should bring a laptop computer, extension cord, and parts for making repairs or improvements to your robot and programs.  Bring a cloth, box or other method to cover your robot and IR tower when downloading programs, to prevent interference between robots.  Make sure your IR tower is set to "Short" range (see the software settings screen).  You will be provided space in one of the team "pit areas" and shared access to a practice playing field.   No field parts may be removed from any playing fields at the tournament.

Everyone is invited to bring some money to buy souvenier items, or raffle tickets for a chance to win fun prizes.

TOURNAMENT PROCESS

Each team should arrive in time to check-in as scheduled (will be indicated in the team list above).

On arrival, each team will check in, turn in their signed release forms for all team members and mentors.  Teams will also turn in one copy of their completed team introduction form.  Keep the other two copies of the introduction form, and any summary documents, to give directly to the technical and project judges.

Each team will receive a tournament schedule, score sheet, and be assigned to one of the pit areas.

Each team will have specific times scheduled for their judging interviews and robot competition rounds.   Before lunch, half the teams will do judging interviews while the other teams are doing robot competition rounds.  After lunch, they will swap and complete the opposite activities.

Before their appointed time (or when called), teams should queue outside the Technical Judging Room.  Each team will have 10 minutes to demonstrate their robot to the technical judges, show and explain a printed copy of part of their program, and answer the judges' questions.  There will be an FLL table where teams are expected to demonstrate their robot performing a challenge mission.

Before their appointed time (or when called), teams should queue outside the Project Judging Room, where they will have 10 minutes with the project judges to present their "Ocean Odyssey" project and answer questions from the judges.  The presentation should be no longer than 5 minutes, to allow 5 minutes for the judges to ask questions.

Teamwork judges will observe and interview teams in the pit and competition areas.  Please make an effort to connect with the teamwork judges.

Each team will participate in three rounds of competition matches according to a pre-determined schedule.  Teams should queue at the appropriate "on deck" area before the times indicated on their schedule, or when their team is called. Teams not ready on time may be skipped and lose their chance to compete or be judged.

The highest score from each team's three matches will count as that team's performance score.  Ties will be decided by comparing the teams' next highest scores.  There will not be any playoff rounds.

Scoring Confirmation (see Coaches' Manual, page 67)

At the end of each match, have a team member witness the referee’s scoring of the table. The team’s only opportunity to confirm the score is after the referee has totaled it. A team member, not an adult, may present any difference of opinion to the head referee. The referee will then confirm the final score. Once your team leaves the area and the competition table is cleared for the next team, you are no longer permitted to dispute the score. As in other competitions, the referee’s ruling on the field is final. Graciously accept the referee’s decision. When finished, collect all your robot parts.

TEAM COMMENT FORM

All decisions by referees and judges are final.  The Team Comment Form (available at the check-in table) provides space for teams to inform the Head Referee or Judge Advisor of any questions or comments that a team may have during the tournament. The coach or mentor must fill out this form and provide the information in writing. Forms will be read, but there is no guarantee that a response will be provided to the coach. Please maintain Gracious Professionalism at all times.

AWARDS AND ADVANCEMENT TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT (Revised 12/6/2005)

Of the 11 teams at the tournament, four will advance to the Northern California Tournament in San Jose on January 14.  Teams receiving the following awards will advance: If a team wins more than one of the above awards, the 2nd, 3rd and/or 4th place performance teams could also advance to the Northern California Tournament.

Teamwork and contribution from all team members will be relevant to all judged award categories.   The robot design, programs, and project must be the work of the team members, not adult mentors.

Additional recognition awards may also be awarded.

FLL VALUES AND GRACIOUS PROFESSIONALISM

Team members, coaches or parents who are observed demonstrating negative behavior, especially toward officials or other teams, will be reminded of the purpose and spirit of the FIRST LEGO League program, and encouraged to act in a manner that leaves everyone feeling valued.

VOLUNTEERS

Each team must provide an adult volunteer (other than the coach) to help with the tournament.  We do our best to make sure that volunteers get an opportunity to see their own team participate if that is possible and requested.  If your team is too small to furnish a volunteer, you can volunteer in other ways, such as loaning a table and field elements, or providing a service such as printing or transportation of equipment.

Please contact Eva Carrender (evacarrender@yahoo.com) with the name of your team volunteer for the day of the event.  In your email, please let Eva know your experience, volunteer preference (first and second choices), T-shirt size (for certain jobs), meal limitations (food will be provided for some jobs, I just need to know things like allergies, etc.), availability, best way to reach you.

We are looking for teams that can bring a table, mat and field elements for the pit areas. You will be responsible for transportation, set up, clean up and monitoring of your equipment. Team volunteers cannot sign up for positions with an asterisk *. We need volunteer name and preferences immediately.

Volunteer Positions

Volunteers will be signed up on a first come first served basis so sign up early to get your preference. Some positions will be shared.

In addition to volunteers we have a few equipment needs. Our equipment needs will evolve and change over time as needs are met and the tournament gets closer.

Equipment and Supplies Needed

High School Volunteers

We will give community service hours to High School students that volunteer. This is a really fun way to fulfill student community service requirements! Let your students and friends know. Students should bring their paperwork and give it to Eva Carrender when they arrive at the tournament site. Have the name, date, and school information filled out. Students can pick up their signed forms from Eva at the end of the day.

Donations

We always welcome sponsorships and donations. All sponsors and donators will be recognized and given advertising consideration. Please contact info@RoboticsLearning.com if you would like to contribute.

JUDGES

We need a team of judges to interview and assign awards to the teams.  Judges should not be affiliated too closely with any competing team, but if you know of someone who might be interested in being a judge, have them contact Eva Carrender (evacarrender@yahoo.com)  and Steve Putz (steve@RoboticsLearning.com) as soon as possible.  Judges are required to study training materials ahead of time, and if possible, attend a training session.

Technical judges should have some background in engineering, programming or design.  Project judges should have some background or interest in presentation skills, teamwork, or this year's challenge theme (oceanography).  All judges should enjoy working with and inspiring children.

If you have any questions, please contact Steve Putz, steve@RoboticsLearning.com, 408-910-1176