Von Steuben VEXV5 HS Invitational Tournament - Push Back

Date
21-Feb-2026 Add to Calendar
Event Code
RE-V5RC-25-3338
Program
VEX V5 Robotics Competition
Event Type
Invitational Tournament
Event Format
Invitational
Field Control System
Smart Field Control
Capacity
24
Spots Open
0
Event Region
Illinois
Max Registrations per Organization
6
Standard Registration Opens
10-Nov-2025 12:00 EST
Registration Deadline
11-Feb-2026 12:00 EST
Payment Deadline
11-Feb-2026 12:00 EST
Price
$120.00
This event is closed to registration because:
  • This event currently has no spaces available.
  • It is past the registration deadline.

General Info

To be considered for this event, teams must register via the Wasitlist tab of the event.

 

We will be hosting a pizza sale!  I will send out a form if you'd like to pre-order pizzas.

Concessions will have a limited amount of pizza, snacks, and drinks.  Bring your dollar bucks!

Volunteers will receive a catered lunch. 

Welcome

This competition is on 2/21/26 and is open to High School VEXV5 teams via invitation only.

Welcome to the Von Steuben VEXV5 HS Invitational Tournament - Push Back! This event is a Qualifier for the State Championship! Please check the Awards tab for information on which awards will qualify teams for the State Championship.

Competition Preparation

This event is sure to be fast-paced and exciting. All teams should come prepared for competition. Here are a few steps that every team should take to ensure that they are prepared:

1. Review the rules and run through the inspection checklist about a week before the competition so your team has ample time for adjustments. The inspection checklist can be found on the Documents tab. Additional information on rules can be found on the Official VEX Forums.

2. Pack for the event the day before, and remember to bring the following:

  • Goggles/Safety Glasses
  • Spare parts & tools
  • Batteries and chargers
  • Programming cable
  • Power strip
  • Laptop computer
  • Engineering notebook

3. Remember that safety comes first. Please don't bring tools that pose a safety risk to your team or others nearby. Absolutely no grinding or other actions that create sparks.

4. Make sure the robot components have been updated to the latest firmware revision.

5. Each player and coach/mentor must have a completed and signed Participation and Consent Form. The team coach/mentor will need to collect the completed forms for all team members attending the event and turn them in at the check-in table. The form can be found on the Documents tab.

Waiting List

If this event is full, please feel free to add your team to the Waiting List and then contact the Event Partner (Primary Contact on the General Info tab). You must be on the online waiting list through robot events to be added if a spot opens. If you are moved from the Waiting List to the Registered Teams List, please be prepared to pay for the event promptly at your robotevents.com account, or make arrangements with the Event Partner to pay directly at the tournament.

Walk-up Teams & Walk-Up Skills

Walk-up teams WILL NOT be permitted to compete, either in the tournament or to run Skills Only. There are no exceptions. If your team wishes to compete, they must register before the registration deadline.

 

Grade Level: All

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: In-person Judging


Grade Level: High School

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: All In-Person Judging

Skills Challenge Offered for VURC/VAIRC teams: No

Event Dates & Locations

Date: 21-Feb-2026

Venue/Location:
Frederick Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center
5039 North Kimball Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
United States

Contact the Event Partner

You must login to contact this Event Partner

Agenda

7:15am - Doors open to teams
7:30am - 8:45am Check-in and inspection
Please note that check-in and inspection will close at 8:45am. Late teams must contact Mike Stachyra or the match schedule will be run without the team, and match schedules cannot be re-run
9:00am - Drivers Meeting/Opening Ceremonies
9:30am - 12:00pm - Qualification Rounds, Skills Feld open
12:00pm - 12:30pm - Lunch
12:30pm - 3:00 pm  - Qualification Rounds, Skills Field open
3:00pm OR when last qualification round BEGINS, whichever is first, SKILLS field closes
       - Teams in line will NOT be permitted to run skills after this time
3:15pm - Alliance Selection
3:30pm - 5:00pm Elimination Rounds & Awards

Even-number teams up to 24 teams will compete in Finals rounds
Skills runs: maximum 3 programming, 3 driver allowed per qualifying criteria

Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact Mike Stachyra at [email protected]

Volunteers are always needed. Volunteers typically will receive a volunteer shirt and be fed for the day. We have many different needs from simply sitting at a table checking people in to being a ref or a judge.

This website has a list of most roles with a brief description - https://kb.roboticseducation.org/hc/en-us/articles/4969327789207-Volunteer-Roles-Available

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

If the weather makes you late for the event or prevents you from attending, please immediately contact Mike Stachyra by phone on the day of the event and by email before the event.

If the event is canceled due to weather or any other unforeseen circumstance, it will be posted here on this event website.

Refund and Payment Policies

We can not issue monetary refunds due to Chicago Public School's vendor policies.

If the Event Partner cancels the event: If the event cannot be rescheduled, your team will recieve credit toward a future Von Steuben VRC tournament. 

If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event and then chooses to withdraw or not attend: Credit toward a future Von Steuben VRC tournament may only be issued if the coach/mentor sends an email two weeks before the event. There will be no credit for teams who withdraw two weeks prior to the event or do not attend the event. 

Judging Format

All In-Person Judging - The Team Interviews and Engineering Notebooks will be judged in-person the day of the event. Teams should bring a physical copy of their notebook to submit to the judges.