VIQC, Evergreen Eagles, MS, Remote, Skills-only

General Info

Welcome to VIQC, Evergreen Eagles Invitational only, Remote, Skills-only Tournament!

**This event is limited to teams in Evergreen Middle School.

This event will be hosted via the Zoom platform. You will be sent an invitation to the Zoom meeting and two SignUpGenius links upon registration. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive the email immediately after you register.

Each team will be able to select two 15-minute slots for their skills attempts. This is a total of 30 minutes allotted for your maximum of 6 skills attempts (3 programming & 3 driver). We highly recommend you do not select two slots that are back-to-back to allow your team time to adjust their robot/code between attempts. Keep in mind that this includes any time your team spends resetting the field, adjusting your robot/code, or placing your robot in the starting position.

Mandatory: All participants must have a Participant Release Form on file. It is the responsibility of the coach to make sure this occurs. A link to the instructions on how to submit a Participant Release Form is found here: https://events.vex.com/consent/

COVID-19 Changes: Due to COVID-19, you are not required to meet as a team, and have the option to have 1 driver drive the entire 60-second match  (with no driver switch).

Skills-Only Event: You will only play skills matches: driver and autonomous (no teamwork matches). The robot with the highest skills score will win the event!

Robot Inspection: Teams will complete a full robot inspection, in accordance with the VIQC Rise Above Game Manual, live with the Head Referee prior to their first Robot Skills Match. This inspection process should follow the checklist on a standard inspection sheet, including a demonstration of sizing compliance as explained in the Game Manual.

Robot Inspection will happen on Friday 01/15 evening. Each team will be able to select one 10-minute slot for their Robot Inspection, and if time permits, test their camera setups.

Remote Requirements: On Friday 01/15 and Sunday 01/17, you need

• Tool for sizing (VEX measuring tool, measuring tape, etc.)
• Webcam(s) with Zoom Meeting capability. One webcam is permissible if it can view the whole field as well as move around the field via the Head Ref's instructions. Otherwise, additional webcams are needed to accomplish these tasks. Webcams need to log into the event at least 5 minutes before your time slot.
• VEX IQ 2020-2021 Rise Above Field
• Clock (as a backup timer)
• Spare parts
• Battery and charger
• Robot and controller

Teams should carefully review the  VIQC Rise Above Game Manual regarding team requirements for Remote Skills Matches: (Pay close attention to RSE4 - RSE8)

At all times, there must be a minimum of (2) Adults over the age of 18 in the remote meeting environment before Students are allowed to connect. One of those Adults must be the Event Partner.

The Team's Primary Contact, or another designated Adult (over the age of 18), must be present in the remote meeting environment throughout the duration of the scheduled time for that Team. The Team's Primary Contact will be responsible for providing the adult representative's contact information to the Event Partner prior to the event.

All Team camera footage must be streamed live, from one camera feed, with no “cuts”.

     a. Pre-recorded Robot Skills Matches are strictly prohibited in a Live, Remote event.

     b. The Drive Team Member(s), Robot(s), Controller(s) and complete competition field must remain on camera at all times during the match.

     c. A Stopwatch / Tournament Manager display that shows the match time must be on video the entire time during the match.

     d. The camera must be able to move around the field, with no breaks or “cuts”, so that it can verify standard Head Referee checks before and after the Match. These could include (but are not limited to) Starting Position placement, game and field element placements, and any necessary scoring verification.

          i. If this is not feasible due to a Team’s equipment or facility limitations, a second camera stream must be used for these close-up checks. This is the only permissible exception to the “single-camera” rule set forth by , and Teams utilizing this exception should expect additional scrutiny.

Live, Remote Robot Skills Matches must include some live interaction between the Team and the Head Referee.

     a. A Drive Team Member must pair their Controller to their Robot on video prior to each Match.

     b. The Head Referee must ask the Team if they are ready, and the Team must respond verbally/visually on video. i. If the Head Referee needs to see a closer or different angle of the Robot Starting Position or any field elements, the Team must be able to satisfy this request, per .

     c. The Match will begin with the Team member who is controlling their clock to give a countdown for the Match to start. This person does not need to be a Drive Team Member.

     d. After the Match, Teams must move the camera per the Head Referee’s instructions to verify scored game elements before the field is reset, per . The Head Referee will confirm to the Team verbally what is being counted.

            i. still applies - the Head Referee’s judgment based on what can be seen on camera is final, as it would if they were observing it in person. There are no video or photo replays in a Live, Remote Skills-Only Event.

 Any violation of any rules will result in the Match score being recorded as zero. That Match will count as one of the Team’s allotted Matches.

Grade Level: Middle School

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: No Judging