MA FLL Championship
Welcome to the MA FLL Championship Event at WPI
DECEMBER 14, 2024
AGENDA
Teams are expected to stay for the entire day through the end of awards.
0715: Doors open for teams.
0800: Mandatory coaches meeting with Head Referee
0830: Opening Ceremonies
0900-1315: Judging Sessions
0900-1115: Qualification Matches
1115 (approximate): Lunch break
1150: Matches Resume
1415: Top Project Presentations
1500: Awards Ceremony
1630: Event Ends
WHERE TO GO
The event takes place at WPI's Harrington Auditorium.
Parking & Drop-off
All vehicle should proceed to the Park Ave Garage, located at 151 Salisbury St.
Teams are free to park in the Park Ave Garage or any WPI lot without a permit, just please avoid specifically labeled spaces (handicap, zipcar, etc). In the event of inclement weather, please only park in the Park Ave Garage
People should enter via the stairs between the Rec Center and Harrington Auditorium.
Those moving large items/carts may:
Walk up the hill/ramp to the left up the stairs and go up the ramp to the door.
Enter the ramp to the right of the stairs and proceed up the elevator to the 2nd floor
VISUAL OF ENTRANCE OPTIONS
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Documents updated 12/11/24
Individual Team Schedule (download and print your teams prior to event)
ABOUT THE VENUE
Limited event t-shirts will be for sale for $20 at concessions after matches are underway.
Self-service wireless is available by connecting to the WPI-Open network.
Teams are not allowed to setup practice fields any where in the venue. Practice fields are available (1 per every 9-12 teams) for use.
WHAT TO BRING
Your robot and its necessary accessories like extra pieces and battery charger.
A laptop or other device in case code needs to be updated. The judges will also expect to see copies of your code (digitally or printed out)
All necessary items to present to the judges, this might include props, handouts, or technology to display some of your presentation.
A cart to move items to/from the field can be a big help to many teams!
A positive attitude and fun spirit!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Each team will get 5 qualification matches to earn their highest score. Only the high score matters.
Each team will get a 30-minute session with a set of judges. This will during the day while matches are on-going, but schedule will be set so your team has no overlap.
At the end of the day, up to 5 teams with high project scores will be invited to share their project presentation on the main stage. This activity is OPTIONAL but an opportunity for all teams to learn from some of the top presenting teams!
At the conclusion of the event, we will have an awards ceremony, which will include announcing teams for advancement to the FLL World Festival and Open Tournaments
FOOD OPTIONS
The Mass Academy Robotics Team will be selling concessions (drinks/snacks) in the building and accept cash or credit/tap to pay. All items $1.
Food is for sale on campus. Hours listed are typical and may be subject to change
Campus Center - Dunkin open 8AM-2PM
Morgan Hall - Dining Hall Open until 3PM with all-you-can-eat service. Entrance is $13 per person, cash or card accepted.
Teams are welcome to bring in their own food and drinks. Please clean up after yourselves.
ABOUT JUDGING OBSERVATION
One adult is allowed to be present at their team's judging session as a SILENT OBSERVER. This is NOT a requirement, and teams are not obligated to send an adult in.
This person is NOT allowed to carry in any team items or aid in setup/teardown of team items in any way; this must be solely done by the students.
This person CANNOT speak, signal, prompt, etc any of the students on the team.
This person CAN record their students, but CANNOT record the judges or any other team's judging session.
If the silent observer violates any of the above directions, the team will be subject to disqualification at the discretion of the judge advisor.
NOTE: MA's typical policy is no one besides team students in the judging area. While we understand the desire of coaches and parents to see the work of their team, it also can present undue stress on the team during the presentation. Also, if students are constantly looking at the adult, it could be perceived by the judges as the adult prompting or signaling the student. Please consider all the pros and cons before deciding if you should send a silent observer with your team, and who it should be.
ABOUT JUDGING SESSIONS
Teams will need to walk upstairs for their judging session. A freight elevator is available from the pit area but may be slow/busy.
Each judging session will follow the judging session flowchart.
There will be one power outlet available for team use at their judging table. Teams may place items on the table in front of the judges or a table provided in their judge space.
Judging takes place in a large, open room
Kids should speak loud enough for the judges to hear, but avoid blasting sound or yelling.
Kids should be prepared that there might be some sound distractions in the room as other teams present to the judges at the same time.
Celebrate Your Coach/Mentor!
We encourage teams to nominate their Coach or Mentor for the Coach/Mentor of the Year award. This award celebrates someone who is an outstanding role model and inspiration for their team!
Students are encouraged to write a letter (max 500 words) about why their coach deserves to be awarded, and submit that nomination through email by 11AM on the day of the competition. Email nominations to mafll@wpi.edu.
HOW TO GET MORE INVOLVED
Teams earn their way to compete at the event through participation in a MA FLL Qualifying Event which take place in November-December.
If you know kids ages 9-14 that would like to participate in FLL Challenge, visit https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll. FIRST has programs for students from PreK-12!
We are always seeking volunteers with a variety of skills for our events. To see what kind of roles are available through all FIRST programs and to sign up, visit https://www.firstinspires.org/ways-to-help/volunteer
The event is always free for spectators and open to the public with no registration required to just come watch the event and cheer on some amazing kids and their creations!
What's Next?
Teams competing in the MA FLL Championships will have the opportunity to advance to higher levels of competition with top performing teams from all over the world. The top finishers in Champion's Award from the WPI and Newton Championships will have the opportunity to advance to one of the following competitions:
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE World Festival (2)
FLL Open - Florida (2)
FLL Open - California (2)
FLL Open - Massachusetts (1)