Presents VEX Robotics Competition Event Partner Training CONTENTS Page 1 of 3 • Chapter 1 – Getting Started (Slides 4 - 34 ) • What is an Event Partner (EP)? • Your Regional Support Manager (RSM) • Getting Started document for EP’s • Web based resource previews and bookmarks • How to work in RobotEvents.com (admin site) • Event Partner Capabilities • VEX Robotics.com (Portal/VRC Event Partner) CONTENTS Page 2 of 3 • Chapter 2 - Resources, a quick look (Slides 35 - 47) • What do I need? • Worksheets that help you identify scope for; • Volunteers • T-shirts and or polo’s • Food • Budget • Event Partner Support Kits • What is included? • What are the qualifications? • How do I get them? CONTENTS Page 3 of 3 • Chapter 3 – Logistics Part 1 (Slides 48 - 61) • Layout considerations and options • Timeline • Awards • Qualification Criteria for the World Championship • Communications tools • Chapter 4 – Logistics Part 2 (Slides 62 - 86) • Volunteers • Budget • Judging • Typical days schedule • Organization and other items Event Partners • An Event Partner (EP) is a person who takes leadership responsibility to organize others to produce an event for one or more of the VEX Robotics Competition programs. • VEX IQ Challenge (elementary and/or middle school) • VEX Robotics Competition (middle and/or high school) • VEX U (college or university level) • Expectations of an EP are; • Schedule an appropriate event for your program of interest. • Collaborate with other EP’s in your area. See that your event fits into the bigger picture. • Organize, plan and execute the event using tools provided. • Become an important part of these programs and be a key member for the benefit of the students in your community. • Participate in surveys and meetings to provide needed feedback for program development. Regional Support Manager • Your Regional Support Manager (RSM) is your personal point of contact for the region you live in. • Find your RSM by using the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (REC Foundation) web sites “Contact Us” page. • Your RSM will talk to you about the VEX Robotics Competition programs in your area and explain how your involvement will help support the programs of your choice in these areas. • Your RSM can introduce you to other Event Partners (EP’s) in your area to develop collaborative relationships. You are not alone, learn and share with others who have similar interests. Regional Support Manager Event Partner “Getting Started ” • The “Getting Started as a VRC Event Partner” document exists to explain the steps to begin as an Event Partner (EP), keep this handy as a reference document. • It details these key items • Creating needed accounts • How to Set up an event • Using VEX Robotics Event Partner status to obtain equipment for events. • This document will be provided to you by your RSM. Here is what the beginning looks like…. Once you have followed the instructions in this document and created your accounts, you will have access to the features in these 3 main sites. http://content.vexrobotics.com/epdocs/VRC_EventPartner_GettingStarted-10122010.pdf Primary Sources of Information REC FOUNDATION ROBOT EVENTS VEX ROBOTICS www.roboticseducation.org No account required www.robotevents.com Account required www.vexrobotics.com Account required INFORMATION PROGRAM PRODUCTS • Staff Contacts • Program Specifics • Game Elements • Resources • Create/Manage events • Competition Fields • Scholarships • Communicate event details • Trophy Packs • Sponsors & Partners • Team Registration • EP Support kits • STEM Hall of Fame • Post results of your event • Technical Documents • Team Grants • On Line Challenges • Forums • VRC Event Documents • Contact teams in state • Team Equipment http://roboticseducation.org http://robotevents.com/ http://vexrobotics.com http://www.roboticseducation.org/vex-roboticscompetitionvrc/game-day-running-an-event/ Creating a New Account in Robot Events 3 Enter new log-in 2 1 Select Fill it out CAUTION! • When Creating an Event for the first time do not select the “Submit” button at the page bottom… …until you have gone through ALL of the Tabs. Event Partner Capabilities in Robot Events •Create new events •See the teams in your state •See what teams are registered for your events •Add/Delete/Mark as paid •Reports •Registration Report.csv •Tournament Manager Software Import Report.csv •Awards •Edit Event Awards •Award Winners (Post results after your event) Event Partner Considerations • Make your event listing as informative as possible to draw teams to it. • How can you differentiate your event from others? • What can you do to build a reputation that makes teams want to return? “Brand” your event. • Get to know the other event partners in your region, talk to them now about next years schedule. Avoid same or adjacent dates. Work together and compromise to develop an event schedule that benefits all and builds a stronger program in a country, state or region. To Create an Event, I log into my account at http://admin.robotevents.com/ Begin on the home page. 1 2 Select the appropriate program 3 Fill information into the fields. An asterisk designates a required field. Event Partner Capabilities “Creating an Event Page 5 of the “Getting Started as a VRC Event Partner” document begins a step by step guide describing every field entry and purpose. Event Partner Capabilities “Teams in Your State” Event Partner Capabilities “Teams Registered in Your Event” Event Partner Capabilities “Editing and Accounting” When Editing an Event • You may Add a team to the event • You may Remove a team from the event • You may mark a team as paid (once you do this the team cannot pay on-line, they will have to arrange to pay you directly) • Obtain the Team’s “PDF” information sheet Team’s “PDF” Information Sheet Qualification Levels Event Partner Capabilities Registration Report.csv Event Partner Capabilities “Awards” BEFORE the event - You can show what awards the event you are running is likely to present. AFTER the event – You can quickly and automatically post all of the events award winners. • Award winners who qualify for special events will receive invitations as a result of these result postings. You need to post ASAP. (Upload before shutdown) • The event date starts the clock for qualifiers to register for the WC. Do not take time away from the teams because of your delay to post them. Adding Awards Editing Event Awards Award Winners Awards Finalization If awards need to be edited, you must select “No” to un-finalize the awards. www.vexrobotics.com https://www.vexrobotics.com/customer/ac count/ http://www.vexrobotics.com/event-partners Chapter 2 – Resources, a Quick Look • • • • Field and Volunteer Estimator Field Costs Retail Pricing Field Assistance for Event Partners Volunteer Cost Estimator Resources Quick Look Field and Volunteer Estimator Total # of # of # of # of Fields # of Competition Practice Skills (Green Teams Fields Fields Fields highlight) 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Volunteers due to # of Volunteer scale of TOTAL Teams base count Judges event Volunteers 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 13 4 4 4 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 15 15 15 17 22 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 23 Resources Quick Look Field Costs Retail Pricing VEX ROBOTICS 2014 RETAIL PRICING AVAILABLE COMPETITION FIELD COMPONENTS ITEM DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER RETAIL UNIT COST QUANTITY VEX Field perimeter 278-1501 $799.99 1 $799.99 VEX Field Tiles 278-1502 $189.99 1 $189.99 VEXnet Field Control System 275-1401 $149.99 1 $149.99 VRC Game Elements 276-2274 $499.99 1 $499.99 VRC Robot Sizing Tool 276-2086 $39.99 1 $39.99 Field Monitor Stand 276-1572 $39.99 1 $39.99 TOTAL SubTotal $1,719.94 Resources Quick Look Field Assistance for Event Partners SMALL VEX EVENTS (16 to 23 teams) COMPETITION FIELD ITEM DESCRIPTION VEX Field perimeter VEX Field Tiles VEXnet Field Control System VRC Robot Sizing Tool Field monitor stand VRC Game Elements UNIT COST $799.99 $189.99 $149.99 $39.99 $39.99 Discount $200.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 TOTAL $599.99 $189.99 $149.99 $39.99 $39.99 $499.99 $250.00 Sub-Total $249.99 $1,269.94 Resources Quick look Volunteer Cost Estimate VOLUNTEER COST ESTIMATOR (this illustration is based on a 24 team event) Insert the price you expect to pay for a Polo shirt with colar $18.00 Insert the price you expect to pay for a volunteer T-shirt $6.00 Insert the amount you expect to spend for food on PC members, Judges and VIP's $15.00 Insert the amount you expect to spend for food on other Volunteers $12.00 Count Planning Committee 6 Shirt $18.00 Food $15.00 Other $ per person Total 0 $33.00 $198.00 insert # from estimator--> 6 $18.00 $15.00 0 $33.00 $198.00 insert # from estimator--> 17 $6.00 $12.00 0 $18.00 $306.00 Judges Volunteers Grand Total $702.00 Event Partner Support Discounts Competition Game Elements Value $499.99 Event Partner Support Kit Standard Trophy Pack (4) VRC-TROPHY-12-10 (3) VRC-TROPHY-10-10 (1) VRC-PLATE-PK1 Scoring Software (downloadable) Large Entry Banner Scoring Table Banner Event Partner Support Kit Standard Trophy Pack Value $249.99 Resources Quick look 2014-15 Trophy Packs AWARD NAME TEAM AWARDS Tournament Champions Excellence Design Sportsmanship/Volunteer Judges Amaze Build Create Energy Think Innovate Finalists Robot Skills Programming Skills Standard Trophy Pack $249.99 12" (3) 12" 10” 10” 10” Judge Expansion $189.99 Robot Expansion $169.99 10” 10” 10” 10” 10” 10” 10" (3) 10” 10” Resources Quick look Award Certificates Award certificates can be printed with Tournament Manager Software Event Partner Support Kit Banners Value $200.00 Event Partner Support Kit Base Trophy Pack (4) VRC-TROPHY-12-10 (2) VRC-TROPHY-10-10 (1) VRC-PLATE-PK1 Scoring Software (downloadable) Large Entry Banner Scoring Table Banner To Get Your EP Support Kit • • • • Register your event in Robot Events Encourage teams to sign up for the event Notify your RSM when registrations reach 16 Your RSM will provide you with a code # and instructions to redeem it. • Order your kits within 2 weeks of requesting it Chapter 3 – Logistics Issues For a small 16 to 24 team event. • Logistics (Slides 48 - ) • Layout considerations and options • Timeline • Awards and Judging • Communications tools Space Requirements For a small 16 to 24 team event. • Designate a “Pit” space (table and 2 chairs) for each team attending, also provide a power source within 15 feet of each team. Save on extension cords and tell every team in advance to bring a 25’ cord and power strip in case they need them. Rule of thumb 200sq ft per team will provide ample space for teams, aisles and practice fields in an area. • A set of competition fields needs a target of 1,500sq ft in addition (min 1,000). • Try to keep all teams in the same area, if teams are split up make sure you can communicate with all of them at the same time through a PA system. Space Requirements A/V and Emcee Tips For a small 16 to 24 team event. • Competition fields need to be near public seating. Small events can rely on “line-of-sight” viewing, but consider video screens to enhance the spectator experience. • Larger sites should use video to help the spectators see more of the action. Camera operators need not do too much “close-up” work. • Don’t forget audio system as people need to hear the emcee and all announcements. DJ should also be able to adjust the music volume independent of the emcee. These two people need to work together. • Emcee’s have a document to assist them titled “Emcee Guidelines”. TMS can print an “Announcers list”. Space Requirements Typical Basketball Court Pit Spaces with Tables, chairs & power drops for each team PF Backdrop screen Bleachers Space Requirements Layout Options for Consideration • A document named “Sample Event Layouts” found in the VRC Event Documents window of the web provides a range of options to consider depending on the types of space available for consideration. Layout Resources Timeline 6 Month Period Create & Post Your Event Order equipment for your event Encourage team development and help get them registered for your event Make initial volunteer assignments 6 month timeline Assemble Planning Team Schedule all purchased services Begin Recruiting Key Volunteers Recruit remaining volunteers Order shirts for volunteers Event Day Timeline 6 Week Period Close registration? Setup and test the field Order food Event setup Thank your volunteers Deadline to post event results 6 week timeline Put training materials in the hands of volunteers Running a 2 hour scrimmage is a great way to train the team Event Day Complete any followup items & set next years dates! Timelines Combined Create & Post Your Event Order equipment for your event Encourage team development and help get them registered for your event Make initial volunteer assignments 6 month timeline Assemble Planning Team Schedule all purchased services Close registration? Begin Recruiting Key Volunteers Setup and test the field Recruit remaining volunteers Order food Event setup Order shirts for volunteers Thank your volunteers Event Day Deadline to post event results 6 week timeline Put training materials in the hands of volunteers Running a 2 hour scrimmage is a great way to train the team Event Day Complete any followup items & set next years dates! List of Awards Amaze Build Community Cooperate Create Design Educate Energy Excellence Future Innovate TEAM AWARDS Inspire Judges Sportsmanship Service Teamwork Think Tournament Champions Tournament Finalists Programming Skills Winner Robot Skills Winner List of Awards INDIVIDUAL AWARDS Mentor of the Year Partner of the Year Teacher of the Year Volunteer of the Year World Championship Qualifying Criteria There are documents that guide the setup of all events. In 2014-15 the qualification spots are also broken down by program and in most cases, age divisions. For many states, provinces or countries there are now 3 “levels” that events take place for. These are; • Teams playing the game at a local level to qualify for a state, province or country championship event. • Teams playing the game at a state, province or country event who are qualifying for the world championship. (It is becoming increasingly rare for a team to qualify directly to the world championship from a single or local event.) • The World Championship. 2015 VRC World Championship qualifying spots: There are three ways teams can qualify for the 2015 VRC World Championship: • Official Qualifying Tournaments • Skills Challenges • Official Qualifying Leagues. World Championship Qualifying Criteria Communications Tools • Event Partner documents •http://www.roboticseducation.org/vex-roboticscompetitionvrc/game-day-running-an-event/ •Event Partner “blasts” (more frequent during Aug thru March) •Sent to email address provided by EP at sign-up •Email Archives of past EP Blasts are found at VEX Forums/VRC Event Partners • On-line Forum tools for Event Partners • Official VRC Skyrise Q&A (Open to public) •Public Relations and Media Resources Volunteers Reference Document Available http://content.vexrobotics.com/epdocs/Volunteer-Descriptions.pdf Volunteers Planning Committee Team • Event Director – Facility Coordinator – Logistics Coordinator • • • • Volunteer Coordinator Pit Coordinator Competition Coordinator Judge Coordinator Volunteers Field Positions Volunteers Field Positions QM, QA, QA R FA FA FTA Field 1 A FC FM R HR E E Camera S FA FA FTA Field 2 R Volunteers Assignments VEX Robotics Competition Volunteer Staffing - Event Name, Date, Location Volunteer Position Time Volunteer Name Event Director Facilities Coordinator Logistics Coordinator VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Volunteer Coordinator Assistant Volunteer "Food" Assistant Registration/Check In Table Welcome/Information Table PIT COORDINATOR Pit Manager Pit Assistant Pit Runner VEX-Volunteer-Staffing-Sheet-Day-Event-.xls Sat Confirmed Volunteers • Solicit for position preference • Identify needed skill sets – Field Technical Advisor – Field Control/Scorekeeper – Judges • Make assignments 1-2 weeks in advance • Training Volunteers Field Technical Advisor • A key technical role that needs to be developed locally to support the teams at your events. • Helps troubleshoot robots that don’t work. • Needs to understand proper programming requirements for easyC and RobotC software. • Can also help troubleshoot any potential “field control system” issues. Volunteer Training VEX Volunteer Training Document-Field Mgt.docx Volunteers VEX Volunteer Training Document-Field Mgt.docx Volunteers Scorekeepers Duties • Update and certify team registration list is correct. • Setup tournament and create schedule blocks • Generate schedules • Test field controls • Run matches • Post scores • Capture all results and back-up data files Volunteers Pit Administration Booth • Team Check-in • Volunteer Check-in • Information Handouts – Schedules – Team Lists – Facility & Pit Maps (if needed) – Product Info Volunteers Other Volunteer Support Documents • • • • • • • Inspection Checklist Inspector's Guide easyC Software Inspection – Crystals easyC Software Inspection – VEXnet Referee's Guide Referee Score Sheet VRC Q&A Forum Export http://www.vexrobotics.com/vrc_epdocs Budget Considerations • • • • • • • Facility Field Equipment Production A/V & Music Volunteer Food & Shirts Programs & Advertising Awards Branding your event A Sample Budget page 1 of 2 Most line items are placeholders to make you think about things to consider. Few are required. AREA Site Logistics ITEM Tables & chairs, provided by school Pipe & drape Facility rental Event insurance Janitorial services COST PER BUDGETED ITEM NUMBER COST $300 1 1 1 1 $300 $0 $200 $250 $1,080 $150 borrowed 1 1 $1,080 $150 $200 $250 Vex Tournament Field Complete field set (with discounts) Shipping Video Cameras Volunteer Recognition Shirts - Judges Shirts - Referees Shirts - Staff T-Shirts - Volunteers Meals $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $6.00 $30.00 8 3 6 24 10 $160 $60 $120 $144 $300 Marketing & Music Program Books Photographer Event DJ $2.00 donated $400.00 125 $250 $0 $400 1 A Sample Budget page 2 of 2 Most line items are placeholders to make you think about things to consider. Few are required. AREA Team Recognition Miscellaneous Expenses ITEM COST PER BUDGETED ITEM NUMBER COST Standard Trophy Pack $249.99 1 free Shipping & handling $50.00 1 $50.00 Award Certificates 12 x 10 0.75 $90.00 Clipboards/Ink & paper $100.00 Folders and file containers $80.00 Budgeted expenses INCOME Sponsors ($1,000 ea) Team event registration fees $3,734.00 1000 2 $2,000.00 75 24 $1,800.00 Total Income $3,800.00 Total Expenses $3,734.00 Balance $66.00 Judging Options for Your VEX Robotics Competition Event Judging Process Options In the Pits AM Scheduled Interviews Judges seek out teams one at a time 15 minute interview blocks (10/5) 2 judges for every 8-12 teams 2 judges for every 6 teams Unequal participation All teams get the same chance Discussions in the pits A classroom or space for every 6 teams Ok for fewer awards Supports more award decisions Judging Materials • Judges Handbook – http://www.roboticseducation.org/documents/20 14/06/local-judges-guide-vex-roboticscompetition.pdf • Awards Appendix – http://www.roboticseducation.org/documents/20 14/06/skyrise-appendix-d-awards.pdf • Schedule Template – Schedule-morning interviews template.xlsx Event Considerations • Create a quality play experience for teams • Provide teams with a minimum of 6 qualification matches but shoot for 7 or even 8. (Don’t cycle teams faster then 1 match per 30 minutes on average.) • Make judges visible at your event, show teams that there are other ways to be acknowledged at an event besides robot performance. • Make an effort to offer skills challenges to all teams. This increases qualification opportunities. • Organize your staff to run the event on schedule. • Get a good emcee and music to create an energetic atmosphere. Have the emcee educate the audience. Typical Full Day Schedule • • • • • • • • • 7:30 AM Doors Open 8:00 AM Check-In, Inspections, Interviews? 8:30 AM Practice Fields Open 9:45 AM Team Meeting, Distribute Schedules 10:00 AM Official Opening Ceremony 10:15 AM Qualification Rounds Begin 3:00 PM Elimination Matches Begin 5:00 PM Awards Ceremony 5:30 PM Venue Closed Schedule Considerations • Most events are single day events of 8-9 hours. • Starting and stopping matches for breaks can cause delays in your day if you are not diligent about managing time. • During qualification rounds the schedule should target to get teams an ideal of 8 matches, a target of 7 and if there are many teams a minimum of 6. • Can you relieve volunteers for breaks instead of shutting the whole process down? • A lunch shutdown puts a huge surge on the food service you are using, be sure they can handle the rush. • If minimizing time for awards is important, plan to integrate awards distribution with robot matches as you reach the semi-finals and finals. Game Rules Forum Updates League Play Event Management-Helpful Files • • • • • • Release Form Inspection instructions and forms Team Meeting Notes Link to VEXnet Documentation Robot Start Up Sequence 2015 WC Qualifying Criteria Organizing Documentation “Keep one set handy” • Purchase two 1-1/2” binders – One for game rules & Forum Q&A – One for event organization • • • • OR put it all on an iPad! Judges Handbooks Referee & Inspection Guides Scorekeepers Manual w/TMS guides
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