Event is free and open to the public 
Based on the growth in FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotic Teams in Iowa, three new super qualifiers have been added for the 2016-2017 season in Iowa. 4Feb17 in Sioux City for Western Iowa and in Des Moines for Central Iowa and 11Feb17 for Eastern Iowa teams. The top 24 teams from each region will be competing at each event to qualify for the State of Iowa FTC Championship on 24-25Feb17 in Coralville.
The non-profit Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) is excited to partner with Pleasant Valley High School, John Deere and FTC Iowa supporting this special event. The QCESC is the event organizer for 15 FIRST events for 2016-2017 in the Quad Cities for FTC, FLL, and FLL Junior.
Date:
Saturday, February 11, 2017 (snow-day – February 12)
Link to listing of 24 Eastern Iowa teams competing
Location:
Pleasant Valley High School
604 Belmont Rd
Bettendorf, Iowa
Parking:
Teams and event attendees should park and enter through the east entrance. Volunteers should park and enter through the west entrance with a layout below.
Link to detailed schedule with inspections and judging interviews
Link to Inside Building Layout with Pits and Judging Rooms (updated 10Feb17 – 5:40 PM)
FTC Teams Lunch Pre-Order:
FTC Teams including supporters have the option of pre-ordering lunch. Please submit your pre-order by 3:00 PM on Friday, 10Feb17. This well help insure adequate food is available and ready for your team at lunch. Each order includes a delivered large pizza and 2 liter pop for $10 with paper plates, napkins, and cups provided.
Link to Pre-Order Lunch
Concessions:
Will be available from approximately 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM with a wide selection of food including breakfast items.
Volunteers:
50+ volunteers are needed to support the event. No previous background or technical background is required for many of the volunteer positions with adults, college and high school students eligible to volunteer. Judges and referees can’t be connected with of the participating teams.
Volunteers will be provided an amazing experience supporting our youth with an event volunteer shirt if are volunteering all day along with food and beverages.
Link to current volunteer roles and openings
Link to apply to volunteer for any FIRST event including this event.
Information for Teams:
What to bring to check-in:
Team roster (from Dashboard) with consent forms not submitted on-line- Engineering Notebook (requirements for most of the awards)
- Complete Robot Inspection Form
- Extra Beacons (if you have some to contribute – make sure team # is on any loaned equipment)
Engineering Notebooks:
Most awards require an engineering notebook and need to have the following elements:
- Team name & Team number must appear on the outside of the Notebook
- Team Summary Page
- Numbered pages
- Divided into sections: team section; engineering section; and a team business/strategic plan
Notebook Expectations:
- Introduction Information Table of Contents (TOC), Bios, Summary Sheet
- Meeting Notes with sketches. Lessons Learned (Reflections)
- Engineering Section (Separate)
- Mechanical Design – Components
- Programming – Coding – Controls
- Strategy: Why do you design it that way – e.g. meet the challenge
- Business / Financial & Sustainability
- Outreach
- Team Strategy
Other Reminders:
- Glasses – safety glasses are required to be worn at all times in the team pit area and around the competition fields. Failure to wear eye protection in required areas may result in penalization.
- Field – Overly aggressive contact with the field perimeter may also result in penalization.
- Coaching – Coaches need to let the teams take complete responsibility for ALL phases of team performance. This is their day. Let them be in control.
- Pace of play – It is extremely important that teams report to their interview & inspection appointments a minimum of 5 minutes early. Similarly, failure to queue or take the field when directed may result in the match proceeding without you. Be ready to go on time.
- Pits – at least one team member should remain in the pits at all times in case judges stop by.
- Gracious Professionalism – Although every team is hoping to advance, remember that this is not just about winning. This is about embracing challenge, and supporting each and every team. Make sure good sportsmanship is on display at ALL times. Judges will be observing GP at all times during the event – not just during interviews.
- Have fun!
For questions regarding the event, please contact the event co-coordinators, Grant Houseman via email at [email protected] or Pat Barnes, via e-mail at [email protected]