The team will be evaluated in one, 30 minute, single judging session.
Team members do not have to be physically in the same room to access the session.
We will provide team members and the 2 primary coaches access to a virtual platform. Team members and coaches will need access to a computer/tablet, access to the internet, and the ability to share audio and video.
Please note that the team will not have a separate Core Values judging session or Core Values activity, however a Core Values judge will be in the one consolidated judging session. The team is expected to demonstrate Core Values in everything they do.
As previous, the team will have a 5 minute project presentation.
New this season, the team may decide to have a Robot Design Presentation for the “Robot Design Explanation” section.
Finally, there will be a few Core Values questions during the “Core Values Reflection” time but no presentation during that time.
Also importantly, the judges are being instructed to provide initial verbal feedback and we will be instructing NorCal judges to make this focused on positive points. The rubrics themselves have a section for capturing an area for the team to think about improving.
There is no mechanism allowed to “send” the Judges any materials – no links, etc
Everything that the judges will consider must be part of the 30 minute judging session.
We strongly advise that the team rehearse delivering their judging presentation(s) online using video and audio on their devices. Make sure to test your internet bandwidth too. Generally, it will be difficult to hold up your robot (and any project models or similar) to your web camera in an easy, steady way (or move the camera to the item), so good, well lit pictures of your team’s robot and any project models would be good to have.
For the first segment of this video, you have to upload a ~2 to 3 minute setup video showing the referee crew how you set up your game table – your mat set up, and mission models.
Then, slowly, closely and clearly, do a walk around the entire game table – please do not put the team’s robot on the table during this segment.
You can consider this part of your inspection, so take your time.
The second segment of this video is a capture of the 2.5 min practice run which should include putting the robot on the game table, doing a quick 3-2-1 countdown, and then the 2.5 minute nonstop, unedited round.
We recommend extending the video about 10 to 15 seconds after the 2.5 minute match to confirm the location of the team’s robot – yes the team may reach in and hit stop but do not pick up the robot.
A visible digital clock will be needed in your setup and visible at all time in the video to mark start and stop time.
After showing these 2 segments, the team will have ~ 5 minutes with the referee crew where they will confirm the table setup, walk through a practice scoring of the match and also to provide advice / recommend some changes (if needed) ahead of the team’s 3 official scored robot game matches.
Teams will provide (3) separately recorded, unedited robot game round video that should include your pre-game inspection and your 2.5 minute robot game video.
A visible digital clock will be needed in your setup to mark start and stop time.
Just as in the practice round, the video should start with the team putting the robot on the game table, doing a quick 3-2-1- countdown, then the 2.5 minute match and a few extra seconds to confirm end robot position.
Kindly do not record all 3 robot game runs in one video, as it will be too large to upload.
As in person events, only two technicians are allowed at the field at once. Substitute technicians can switch with current technicians at any time. Reminder that the team members themselves must be the technicians operating the robot.
Robot Run Videos
Teams registered for qualifying tournaments will be sent a Jotform to upload their videos ahead of their qualifier tournament.
The team will not upload anything related to judging, only robot game.
Game videos must be uploaded no later than 8am of the day of your event unless the referee crew has provided changes in the team’s setup or game play (ie rules violations or similar).
The mechanism for uploading the video may change for the later qualifiers depending on a newly developed FIRST system called “Remote Event Hub” becoming available – stay tuned.
Are we allowed to use Zoom virtual backgrounds as our presentation props? We will not be using Zoom for our video conferencing. Playing at Learning will be hosting qualifying tournaments on a virtual event platform called Hopin. More information about this platform coming soon.
Are we allowed to share our screen to show pictures of project/ robot/robot strategy/ code? Yes. It is recommended though that only 1 person plans on sharing their screen.
Who can be scorekeeper and where do we submit the scores? Or, do we submit the runs and referees score us? Teams do not submit their own scores. Referees will virtually join in a session, the team will play the pre-recorded robot game video, and then the referee will fill out (and share and talk through) the official scoresheet. Scores from the event will be shared in the “Scores” Expo section of Hopin.
Where will the referee crew be, will he/she/they be at your end? The referee crew will be on the screen LIVE watching your pre-recorded run as teams share it on the platform.
Do we need to first send a practice video to confirm it from referee crew before we can upload actual robot runs? You do not need to wait until the practice run is confirmed to upload your robot run videos. You will, however, have an opportunity to resubmit videos if your practice run is done incorrectly.
After recording video for 2.5min for a match, do we need to count the score for missions and send total scores while uploading video? The robot game runs are NOT self-scored. The referee will be scoring.
Is there a time in the schedule for a team to re-record their matches after the practice match and before their official matches?
There is time in the schedule for a team to re-record their matches after the practice match and before their official matches. Or, in the worst case they can record the match as it is being viewed by the referee crew.
Can we record the project and/or robot design presentation and present as a video file or should it be live? Panel of judges will be LIVE on the screen during your session. If you wish to present your project via a video file, that should be fine as long as you stay within your time limits. Please review the judging session flow chat time schedule.
Event Platform:
Playing at Learning will be hosting qualifying tournaments on a virtual event platform called Hopin. Check out our Hopin Tutorial for more informatin.