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Event Checklist

Overview

Workshops and Scrimmages
Teams MUST bring PRINTED copies of the following items to all Pennsylvania FIRST Tech Challenge Workshops and Scrimmages.  These items will be presented at Team Check-in.
  1. Team Roster
  2. Completed FIRST Consent and Release Form for each student or mentor who has not completed the consent forms electronically
  3. Completed Pennsylvania FIRST Robotics FTC Program Consent and Release Form for each student and adult affiliated with the team at the event. This is required once per person per season. Note: Coaches may NOT sign this form on behalf of the student's parent or legal guardian.
Also remember to bring:
  1. Safety Glasses - Safety Glasses are required in the pits and on the competition and practice fields. No exceptions.
  2. Power Strip - A single power outlet will be provided at the team's pit table. Bring your own power strip for multiple outlets.

Tournaments and Meets
Teams MUST bring PRINTED copies of the following items to all Pennsylvania FIRST Tech Challenge Tournaments and Meets.  The TIMS Team Roster and the Consent and Release forms will be presented at Team Check-in. The Inspection Checklists will be presented at Robot and Field inspections.
  1. Team Roster
  2. Completed FIRST Consent and Release Form for each student or mentor who has not completed the consent forms electronically
  3. Completed Pennsylvania FIRST Robotics FTC Program Consent and Release Form for each student and adult affiliated with the team at the event. This is required once per person per season. Note: Coaches may NOT sign this form on behalf of the student's parent or legal guardian.
Also remember to bring:
  1. Safety Glasses - Safety Glasses are required in the pits and on the competition and practice fields. No exceptions.
  2. Printed Engineering Notebook - If your team is using an electronic Engineering Notebook, bring a printed copy. Judges will not review online notebooks. (Applies to Tournaments and League Championships only.)
  3. Power Strip - A single power outlet will be provided at the team's pit table. Bring your own power strip for multiple outlets.

Wireless Communications 
To help ensure the wireless communications are operating properly and consistently for all teams during events, Wireless Tournament Rules in Game Manual 1 will be strictly enforced at all Pennsylvania FIRST Tech Challenge events.  At the event Teams will be provided with the Wi-Fi channel or channels they may use for their robot. Use of other Wi-Fi channels is prohibited. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.


Details

Team Roster
The Team Roster is a document that lists the student team members and mentors for an FIRST Tech Challenge team. Main and Alternate contacts can access and print the Team Roster. Team Leaders must bring a printed Team Roster to registration at the event. If any students or mentors are not listed on the Team Roster electronically, the Main or Alternate Contact must “pencil in” the names of the students and mentors on the bottom of the Team Roster (blank lines are provided). Team Leaders must attach a completed paper copy of the consent form for each student or mentor who has not completed the consent forms electronically,


FIRST Consent and Release Form
A FIRST Consent and Release Form is required for student participation at all FIRST events. Participation at any event is not guaranteed until a completed FIRST Consent & Release Form is submitted for every team member (mentor and student). Team mentors and students attending the FIRST events must complete the FIRST Consent and Release form each season. This form covers participation at any FIRST events this season.  Student Team members under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian's signature on their form. If students or mentors have completed the consent form electronically, you do not need to bring a printed copy of the consent form for those team contacts, as the Team Roster indicates the form was completed online. If a student or mentor chooses to complete the form on paper, the team leaders must bring the signed paper consent form with the Team Roster to the event. 

A completed PAPER FIRST Consent & Release Form is required for:
  • FIRST Tech Challenge Adult Team Mentors who have NOT completed the electronic consent form
  • FIRST Tech Challenge Student Team Members have NOT completed electronic consent form
  • Students under the age of 13 (students under 13 cannot complete the electronic Consent and Release form in STIMS

Pennsylvania FIRST Robotics FTC Program Consent and Release Form
A Pennsylvania FIRST Robotics FTC Program Consent and Release Form is required for each adult and student affiliated with the team who is present at a Pennsylvania FIRST Tech Challenge Event. A completed form is required once per person per season. This form includes a Pennsylvania Child Protection compliance clause. Note: Coaches may NOT sign this form on behalf of the student's parent or legal guardian.


Printed Engineering Notebook
Teams may choose to record their season with either a handwritten or an electronic Engineering Notebook. If using an electronic Engineering Notebook, bring a printed copy. Judges will not review online versions. See FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manual 1 for details.


Safety Glasses
FIRST requires all Teams to bring and supply ANSI Z87.1 certified safety glasses for their members and guests for each Competition. Regular glasses and sunglasses do not qualify as safety glasses. Team members or spectators that wear prescription glasses must wear safety goggles over them or attach safety side shields. Tinted lenses are allowed as long as Event personnel can see the Volunteers, spectators, or Team member’s eyes through the safety glasses. Sunglasses or deeply shaded safety glasses used in our indoor event environment are not acceptable.

Students, adult Team members, and guests must wear eye protection while working on the Robot, when observing Robot building/repair work, while in the pit area, and in the Competition Area.


Robot and Field Inspection Checklists
The FIRST Tech Challenge Robot will be required to pass Robot and Field inspections before being cleared to compete. These inspections will ensure that all FIRST Tech Challenge Robot rules and regulations are met. Initial inspections will take place during Team check-in/practice time. The official FIRST Tech Challenge Robot and Field Inspection Checklists are located in FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manual Part 1 Appendices B and C.


Wireless Communications
To help ensure the wireless communications are operating properly and consistently for all teams during events,Wireless Tournament Rules in Game Manual 1 will be strictly enforced at all Pennsylvania FIRST Tech Challenge events.  At the event Teams will be provided with the Wi-Fi channel or channels they may use for their robot. Use of other Wi-Fi channels is prohibited. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Tournament Rule <T4>
No Team, Team Member, or Event attendee is allowed to set up their own Wi-Fi 802.11 (2.4GHz or 5GHz) wireless communication in the venue. Non-allowed wireless communications include, but are not limited to: 
a. Cellular Hotspots (e.g. cell phones, tablets, MiFi). 
b. Ad-hoc networks. 
c. Nintendo DS peer-to-peer. 
d. Bluetooth communication with Robots in the Competition Area. 
No Team, Team Member, or Event attendee shall interfere with a Team’s Wi-Fi Direct® communication with their own Robot

The Penalty for violating rule is disqualification of the entire Team from the Event and their removal from the venue property. Teams may not appeal the penalty and no refunds will be given for registration fees, prepaid meals, etc. FIRST may conduct a post-Event review and determine if any additional penalties are to be imposed upon the offending Team. 

Teams are encouraged to report wireless security vulnerabilities to the Field Tech Advisor (FTA) at an Event. Teams should always keep in mind Gracious Professionalism® , and therefore only report valid and verifiable violations of this rule. After the FTA is alerted of a potential rule violation, he/she will confer with the Head Referee. The FTA and Head Referee will further investigate the potential violation of this rule. The final decision will be made by the Head Referee with the guidance of FIRST Headquarters staff if rule has been violated, and to disqualify the offending Team.

Tournament Rule <T5>
Wi-Fi Direct® connectivity between the Android devices used as the Robot Controller and the Drivers Station is allowed. No other wireless communication is allowed. 

The Penalty for violating rule is disqualification of the entire Team from the Event and their removal from the venue property. The decision to disqualify the Team from the Event will be made by Head Referee with the guidance of FIRST Headquarters staff. Teams may not appeal the penalty and no refunds will be given for registration fees, pre-paid meals, etc. FIRST may conduct a post-Event review and determine if any additional penalties are to be imposed upon the offending Team. 

Tournament Rule <T6>
Team members may be asked by the Event Director to use a specific Wi-Fi channel on the Event day. It is the intent of this rule that Teams must comply with the request of the Event Director if asked to use a specific Wi-Fi Channel when supported by an approved Android Device. Teams that have Android Devices that support channel changing MUST comply with the request of the Event Director to switch their channel before playing in the next Match.