HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!It's FIRST Tech Challenge  Oregon Qualifying Tournament Month

Let's get ready! 

1) Pre-Tournament Information Form2) Being STIMS Ready!3) Short list for Tournament Prep 4) Timeline for a Qualifying Tournament 

#1 - 64 of 201 teams have completed the pre-tournament form. This form is needed for the Velocity Vortex commemorative team pin order and information for grants. REQUIRED PRE-TOURNAMENT INFORMATION FORM - DUE JANUARY 9
In the ORTOP office we are gearing up and preparing tournament materials.
Before we can do that, we need information from EVERY TEAM's MENTOR.  COMPLETE ON ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE BY JANUARY 9! to receive your pins.    This is a hard and fast deadline.

Two easy steps to completion 
1) Preview the questions on the worksheet for your own use.Worksheet here -  Do not fill out the worksheet and send it to me. I need the data from the ONLINE FORM. 
2) Enter your information into the ONLINE FORM and click Submit.  ______________________________________________________________________
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#2 - Be STIMS ready! Student Team Information Management 
What is this? For League Teams, this is the same thing you've been doing all season. For Non-League Teams, please read carefully. 

• STIMS is the electronic team member registration option. 

• The team mentor must present at Tournament Team Check-in the printed STIMS roster along with any paper Youth Team Member Application forms stapled to the back. This is required for each and every event. 

• The STIMS Roster (this is a sample copy of a STIMS Roster) is printable by the Lead Coach #1 and Lead Coach #2 from their Dashboards. 

• Parents/Guardians have the option of completing an online registration/FIRST Consent and Release Form with the information appearing on the STIMS roster or turning in a paper form if they do not have access to a computer or prefer the paper form. Paper forms must be stapled to the back
  

• Paperwork and Consent Form - English version

• Paperwork and Consent Form - Spanish version
• ORTOP does not have access to any of the online STIMS information. If you don't bring your STIMS roster we can't allow you to participate in the tournament.  Issues with printing? Contact Cathy Swider.
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#3 -  Work on being ready for the tournament - See Dec 22 Blog for detailed list of resources and judge session advice 
Here is my top recommended activities for preparing for the Qualifying Tournament

1. Review the Engineering Notebook against the requirements; spiff it up if needed. 
2.  With a critical eye, inspect the robot with the Robot Inspection and Field Inspection Sheets going line by line.
3. Review the Game Manuals so that you know the Game Rules and the Tournament Guidelines for being Gracious Professionals. 
4. Practice driving the robot.
5.  Have a plan for scouting other teams 
6. Make checklists so that you don't forget stuff; equipment lists and standard operating procedures.
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#4  Schedule of ALL Qualifying Tournaments - Dates/Locations for Qualifying Tournaments 

• 7:45 am - 8:15 am - Team Check in 

• 8:20 - 8:30 am - Announcements to Teams 

• 8:30 - ~11:15 am - Panel Judge Session and Inspections/ Practice Field Open 

• 11:15 - 11:45 am - Lunch Break

• 11:45 - noon - Drivers' Meeting 

• 12:00 - 12:15 pm - Opening Ceremonies

• 12:15 - 2:45 pm  - Qualifying Matches (each team plays 5 matches of 2.5 minutes) 

• 3:00 - 3:15 pm - Alliance Selection Ceremony 

• 3:15 - 4:15 pm - Elimination Rounds

• 4:30 pm - Awards Ceremony 

• 5:00 pm Load Out