2015 Vermont
FIRST Tech Challenge
Championship
College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
University of Vermont
Dudley H. Davis Center
Burlington, VT
March 14, 2015
www.usfirst.org/ftc
www.uvm.edu/~first/
Grades K-3
Grades 4-8
Grades 7-12
Grades 9-12
Welcome to the FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®)
FTC is designed for students in grades 7-12 to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for
designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit
is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Teams, including Coaches, Mentors
and Volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are
given for the competition as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
“…to create a world where science and technology are celebrated…
where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.”
- FIRST Founder, Dean Kamen
About FIRST®
About FTC
FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology) was founded in 1989 by inventor
Dean Kamen to inspire young people’s interest and
participation in science and technology. Based in
Manchester, NH, FIRST is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit
public charity. FIRST is supported by a strong
network of sponsors and volunteers.
FTC is an exciting and fun global robotics program that ignites an enthusiasm for science, technology and discovery in
young people and teaches them STEM skills and concepts,
principles of leadership, and how to work as a team.
As a Volunteer-driven organization, FIRST is built on
partnerships with individuals as well as businesses,
educational institutions, and government. Some of
the world’s most respected companies provide
funding, mentorship time and talent, and equipment
to make FIRST’s mission a reality. As a team Coach,
you join over 13,000 committed and effective
Volunteers who are key to introducing close to
350,000 young people to the joy of problem solving
through engineering.
FIRST provides four programs: the FIRST® Robotics
Competition (FRC®), for grades 9-12; the FIRST® Tech
Challenge (FTC®), for grades 7-12; FIRST® LEGO®
League (FLL®), for grades 4-8, and Junior FIRST®
LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®), for grades K-3. Also located
at FIRST headquarters is the research and
development facility called FIRST PlaceTM. FIRST Place
is integral to game design, new program
development, evaluation, and professional
development of FIRST Mentors.
The competitions are the result of focused brainstorming,
dedicated mentoring, project timelines and teamwork.
Paired with technical mentors, teams learn from and play
with the “pros” to experience engineering problem solving
first-hand.
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Entices kids to think like scientists and engineers
Provides a fun, creative, hands-on learning experience
Teaches kids to experiment and overcome obstacles
The skills that they learn make math and science tangible, accessible and real
Endorsed by the National Association of Secondary
School Principals
Teams learn to document their design ideas and discoveries
Builds self-esteem and confidence
Tournament Schedule*
7:00 AM
7:30 AM
7:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
9:45 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
3:45 PM
4:00 PM
4:15 PM
4:30 PM
5:15 PM
6:00 PM
6:15 PM
6:30 PM
Team registration and pit opens
Robot inspection begins
Scheduled judging sessions begin (see judging schedule)
Coach’s meeting with Field Technical Advisor (Fields)
Driver’s meeting with Referee Team (Fields)
Queue teams for first matches
Opening ceremony
Qualification matches begin
Lunch break
Qualification matches resume
Qualification matches complete
Alliance selection begins
Elimination – Semi Final Rounds begin
Awards ceremonies begin
Elimination – Final Matches Begin
Performance Awards and Inspire Award
Competition complete
Pits close
* Times are approximate
and subject to change
CASCADE EFFECTSM Game Description
CASCADE EFFECT℠ is played on a 12’x12’ square Field with
approximately 1’-high walls and a soft foam mat playing
surface. Two randomly selected teams are paired together
as an Alliance to play a match against a second Alliance.
Alliances are designated as either Red or Blue.
Scoring Elements are 160 white plastic balls - large (40) and
small (120). In the middle of the field is the Center Field
Structure which contains two Ball Dispensers with trap
doors held in place by Alliance-specific Kickstands. There
are also two Center Goals - one Red and one Blue - with
Infrared Beacons placed beneath each Goal. The field has
six Alliance-specific Rolling Goals with clear Ball Tubes of
various heights (30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm) as well as two
Alliance-specific Ramps, Platforms, and Parking Zones.
At the start of the Match, the Balls (large and small) are
loaded in the Dispensers in the Center Field
Structure. Each Team is given two balls (one
large and one small) that can be pre-loaded
onto their robot.
Autonomous Period: The Match starts with a
30-second Autonomous Period where Robots
are operated via pre- programmed
instructions only. Prior to the start of the
Autonomous Period, the Center Structure will
be rotated to one of three positions. Points
will be awarded for Robots achieving certain
tasks including placing Autonomous Balls in
the Rolling Goal and/or Center Goal , Robots
moving off the Platform, knocking over the
kickstand (and releasing balls into the field of play), and
moving their Rolling Goals into the Alliance’s Parking Zone.
Driver-Controlled Period: In the next two minute DriverControlled Period, Robots are tasked with collecting Balls
and placing them in the Rolling Goals. Balls Scored In the
Rolling Goals are worth points based on the length of the
Ball Tube and the Ball Height (at the end of the Match), as
shown in the table below.
End Game: The last 30 seconds of the Driver-Controlled
Period is called the End Game. During the End Game, Robots
may Score Balls into the Center Goal as well as the Rolling
Goals. Teams can also earn bonus points for every Robot
and Rolling Goal that is not in contact with the floor when
the Match ends and by moving their Rolling Goals and/or
Robots into the Alliance Parking Zone.
FIRST Tech Challenge Awards
INSPIRE This judged award is given to the team that
the judges feels truly embodies the “challenge” of the
program. The team serves as an inspiration as to what
this program, and the young minds involved, can
accomplish. This team has performed well in all
categories and is chosen as a role model for all teams.
This is the highest award that a team can be given.
PTC DESIGN This judged award is presented to the
team that has best incorporated both functional and
aesthetic design elements into their solution without
compromising either one.
ROCKWELL COLLINS INNOVATE This judged award
celebrates the team that not only thinks outside the
box but also has ingenuity and inventiveness in their
design solution.
MOTIVATE This judged award celebrates the team that
exemplifies the essence of teamwork and team spirit.
CONNECT This judged award is given to the team that has
best connected with their local community and engineering
community.
THINK This judged award is given to the team that best
reflects their ideas, season and journey through their
engineering notebook.
CONTROL This judged award is given to the Team that
demonstrates innovative thinking in the control system to
solve Game challenges such as Autonomous Operation,
enhancing mechanical systems with intelligent control, or
using sensors to achieve better results on the field.
ALLIANCES The winning alliance and finalist alliance are
both recognized for their achievement in robot game
performance.
FIRST Scholarships
FIRST participants have access to over $20 million in scholarships. Find out how you are eligible!
OUR MISSION is to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Colleges, universities,
corporations, and associations support this mission by making available more than $20 million in FIRST®
Scholarships to students who want to take their FIRST experience to the next level.
The FIRST Scholarship Program puts FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC®) and FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®)
participants in direct contact with colleges, universities, corporations, and associations offering hundreds of
scholarship opportunities exclusively for FIRST participants.
Receiving a scholarship can have a big impact on deciding which college to attend or whether or not it’s affordable.
A scholarship opportunity might make you aware of a school you hadn’t even considered. Why not take advantage
of scholarships available for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team participants.
Learn more today: WWW.USFIRST.ORG/SCHOLARSHIP
Gracious Professionalism, A FIRST Credo
Gracious professionalism seems to be a good descriptor for part of the ethos of FIRST. It is part of what makes FIRST
different and wonderful.
Gracious professionalism has purposefully been left somewhat undefined because it can and should mean different
things to each of us. We can, however, outline some of its possible meanings. Gracious attitudes and behaviors are
win-win. Gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their action. Professionals possess special
knowledge and are trusted by society to use that knowledge responsibly. Thus, gracious professionals make a
valued contribution in a manner pleasing to others and to themselves.
In FIRST, one of the most straightforward interpretations of gracious professionalism is that we learn and compete
like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. We try to avoid leaving anyone feeling like
they are losers. No chest thumping barbarian tough talk, but no sticky sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, pride
and empathy comfortably blended.
Understanding that gracious professionalism works is not rocket science. It is, however, missing in too many
activities. At FIRST it is alive and well. Please help us take care of it.
Team #
Team
Organization
City, State
0001
0040
0088
0118
0137
0652
3397
3694
4408
4531
4946
5030
5406
5741
6337
6536
6607
6608
6700
6731
7418
8221
8397
8442
8462
8526
8544
8752
9620
9622
9721
9723
Team Unlimited
Team HAX
Gouverneur Metalicats
Steel Hornets
Franklin Academy Robotics Team
Under Dogs
Cyborg Gentlemen Crabs
brattlebattlebots
Robots in Plaid
Purple Chaos
Robo Raiders
ClashBots
Optimus Bees
RoboHawks
Metal Marauders Robotics
Guardians
Hammerdillo
Robot Frenzy
X_BOTS
Ringers
Batteries Not Included
CUBIX^3
Beta
MVU #1 (Rookie Season)
Friends, Robots, Countrymen!
Aluminum Avian Antics
Trial and Error
0°K Robotics
R.O.U.S.'s (robots of unusual size)
Rutland Middle School
No Name
ABQ School of Excellence
(None)
Loomis Chaffee
Gouverneur Central School
Emmaus High School
Franklin Academy Robotics
Mt. Hope Robotics
Essex High School
WRCC
Ursuline Academy
Mt. Hope Robotics
U-32 High School
Mt. Hope Robotics
BASCS
Champlain Valley Union High School
(None)
Seacoast Christian School
Lyndon Institute
Lyndon Institute
(None)
Bellows Free Academy/NWTC
South Burlington High School
ETC Robotics
Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County 4H
Missisquoi Valley UMHS
(None)
4H /FTC
River Valley Technical Center
LNSU
(None)
Rutland Middle School
(None)
Albuquerque School of Excellence
Sharon, MA
Windsor, CT
Gouverneur, NY
Emmaus, PA
St. Regis Falls, NY
Bristol, RI
Essex Junction, VT
Brattleboro, VT
Dedham, MA
Bristol, RI
Montpelier, VT
Bristol, RI
Hackensack, NJ
Hinesburg, VT
Morris Plains, NJ
South Berwick, ME
Lyndon Center, VT
Lyndon Center, VT
Fairfax, VA
St. Albans, VT
South Burlington, VT
Hampstead, MD
Plattsburgh, NY
Swanton, VT
Etna, NH
Grand Isle, VT
Springfield, VT
Hyde Park, VT
Chichester, NH
Rutland, VT
South Burlington, VT
Albuquerque, NM
During the Qualifying Matches, teams are randomly assigned into alliances of 2 teams. A team’s alliance partner in
one match may be their opponent in another match.
Team Rank: Teams will be ranked by their total Qualifying Points (QPs). If multiple teams have the same QP total, then teams will be ranked by their Ranking Points (RPs). If multiple teams have the same RP total as well, then
teams will be ranked by their highest match score. If still tied, the next highest match score will be used until the
tie is broken.
Qualifying Points: Teams receive 2 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss or disqualification
(DQ).
Ranking Points: All teams in a match receive the score of the losing alliance unless they have a DQ (which gives
that team 0 RP).
Alliance selection is held after all of the qualifying matches. Four alliance captains are selected based on team
rank. These captains then pick one or two (based on event size) additional teams to be their alliance partners for
the Elimination Matches.
Elimination Matches: Alliances get a win, loss or tie. The advancing alliance is the first one to win two matches.
Thank you!
Special Thanks to our Event Host
Our Championship Event
Planning Committee
John Abele, State Advisor
Alain Brizard, State Judge Advisor
Doug Dickey, Co-Administrator
David Feinauer, FLL Liaison
Jeff Frolik, Co-Technical Director
Jamie Gravelin, State Referee
Jackie Horton, Co-Technical Director
Meghan Kelly, Volunteer Coordinator
Joe Kudrle, Facilities Director
Jeff Mogielnicki, State Scorekeeper
Charley Thompson, UVM Foundation Advisor
Scott Turnbull, State Inspector
Doug Webster, VT Education Advisor
Beth Wilbur, Team Coordinator
Kristin Winer, Co-Administrator, Emcee
Special THANKS to Joe Chase and Jim Dirmaier
with Essex High School for offering support and
guidance to new Vermont teams
Thank you FTC National Sponsors
FTC Program
Sponsor
CAD and
Collaboration Sponsor
Thank you to all who help make this program possible
for our youth. FIRST could not exist without the support
of the army of mentors, parents, teachers and volunteers who provide time and expertise to inspire our
young people to get excited about science, technology,
engineering and math.
Collaborating
With
Our Amazing Team of Event Volunteers
Katherine Anne Aho
Mads Almassalkhi
Mahraz Amini
Alex Apple
Shawn Cimonetti
Nick Coombs
J Dowman
Joe Eastman
Ellen Fay
Deb Fraser
Dylan Gifford
Andrew Giroux
Aaron Hall
Angela Johnson
Ben Knight
Kyle Kowalczyk
George Marchant
James Matthew
Kevin McCullen
Kyle Midura
Sam Muthusamy
Mary Parent
James Piette
John Pilvines
Sumathi Raghunathan
Matthew Spencer
Richard St-Pierre
Ting Tan
Stephen Titcomb
Terry Ulmer
Monika Ursiny
Floyd Vilmont
Jeff Wakefield
Audrey Wilbur
Ed Wilbur
Riley Wilbur
Janet Wilson
Jon Winer
Our sincerest apologies to anyone who was inadvertently excluded from this program. An extra special thank you to you for all of your help
and support.