Administrative

Mentors have been assigned to the schools and team numbers. Look up your team number on the chart below, and you will find your Mentor’s Name, Phone Number, and Email Address. Contact your mentor by EMAIL first…. And the first thing your Mentor will want to know is what date you want to compete!

TECHNICAL TIPS:

It is always best to read all of the instructions before you begin assembling your Robot. Here are some useful ideas:1. Have a safe place to put your Robot. You will be graded on your packaging any way. Make a home for it while it is in the process of being assembled. Take care not to bend the rods. These are very fragile.2. Some of you will try using RE-CHARGABLE BATTERIES. Read the Side of the Battery. It may operate at 1.25 Volts (typical for Nickel Cadmium Batteries) not 1.5 Volts (the voltage the motors are designed for). The re-chargable Batteries do not operate the motors as well as the regular "Alkaline" Batteries.3. New motors may have a few rough spots on their "brushes" (The part of the motor that conducts electricity from the stationary housing to the rotating armature.) You may want to "run the brushes in" by operating the motors unloaded (in both directions) before assembling the Robot and trying to start the motors for the first time connected to all of the linkages or screws. Five minutes operation makes a lot of difference in starting performance.

4. This ROBOT Kit is not a canned exercise in just assembling parts. It is not meant to be. The Robot works well if and only if you take care in checking dimensions and alignments and in making adjustments for SMOOTH operation. The depth of the notches that hold the motors are particularly critical in aligning the rods and articulated hinges. Take great care in making these cuts… Study the diagrams and make sure you know how these parts fit together so that the rods and connecting pieces do not rub against the body.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON COMPETITION DAY:

1. When you arrive at the Museum of industry, go to the Warm Up Room. Take your Robot out of its protective carrying / storage container (that you made or obtained) then check in with the Robot Competition. Your Robot should be ready to Race. If your Robot has a technical problem, there is a "Pit Stop" repair station that can help you perform emergency repairs. You may have to wait for a while, but qualified help is available. Check in when your Robot is ready to walk.

2. To check in:

Bring your Team, your Robot (ready to race) and a flag to the designated robot check in table.

The sign must have your team number. (The numbers must be at least 4 inches high) and may include your robot name.

Your Picture (All team members with the robot and flag) will be taken and stapled to a large envelope. This envelope contains

The written report that you submitted with Grade sheet (We will make sure that it is the correct report and may ask you to check with us) A scoring sheet for the "Race" (Blank)A Scoring sheet for your Oral Presentation (Blank)

The envelope will be held by the judges

3. You will be assigned a table for racing as soon as one is available. (place your robot back in it’s case if necessary). One of the judges will take you and your team envelope to the table as soon as a table is ready.Follow the direction of the judge at the Racing table. You will be given a little warm up time, then a timed walk will start. The maximum allowed time is 20 Minutes. The Table judges are allowed to use their best judgment in executing the competition in order to give everyone the best possible chance to perform.After your Race, your envelope will be taken back to the check in table. You will be assigned to the next oral presentation group. During the presentation, you should be prepared to talk about your experience with the project, and answer questions about how your robot operates. Be candid and honest.

4. After your oral presentation, you should pack up your robot and wait to hear the results.

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Updated: 11/19/19