Note - some cell phones don't work inside Hillsboro High.

If we didn't bring food, where can it be purchased?

Team members should not leave the tournament during the tournament day.  You may send a parent out to purchase food if you did not bring it with you.  Check this map for nearby options in Hillsboro.

Are there guest passes? How many guests can we bring? Do the adults helping with the team count as guests?

Guest passes are not required.  Our tournament is free and open to anyone who would like to watch. Guests are welcome at the Opening and Award Ceremonies. They can also observe the robot competition rounds and observe Project Judging. Guests are not allowed in the Pit Area, Robot Design Judging or Teamwork Judging. All child guests must be supervised. Share your team schedule with guests so they know when your team is competing during the long 7-hour day.

Can the principal from our school attend to check out the tournament?

Yes, general guests are welcome at our tournament, particularly if they want to learn more about the ORTOP program.  If they have questions about the program, have them contact either Walt Mayberry or Don Domes at the tournament.

Can we bring a box to the competition table to hold the jigs and devices that are added/subtracted to the robot during the match?

You can have items in a box or on a small table next to the competition table. So if you wanted to either bring a TV tray and stand to put your box of accessories on or set the box on the floor next to or just under the table, that is ok.

Can we put mission-related items on a small table next to the main mission table, or must the all be stored in base or the parking lot?

Yes, you can bring a side table or box to store mission objects.  It must sit next to the competition table.  See the FLL Q&As.  Be sure to go through all the FLL Q&As - they are an official part of the rules.

Can we have a 3rd team member work to prepare parts at the small table that we bring in support of the two that are at the competition table?

No.  A six foot boundary is marked around the competition table.  Only two team members may be within the boundary at one time.  They can change off with another team member at any time.

All  robot and competition parts must remain on the competition table or on the small side table during the match.  They may not be passed in from outside the three foot boundary.

Is any preparation time allowed before the Competition Table timer starts the 2.5 min round?  And are there limits to what can be done during this prep time? (For example: can parts be placed on the table and the robot aligned before the timer starts?)

There is 1.5 min of setup time before your round starts. During this time the referee will inspect your robot for improper parts.  The only restriction during your setup time is that you can not program the bot while on the competition floor. (Laptops are to remain in the pit area during competition..they are not allowed on the competition floor.) All set ups, staging of mission and strategic objects, and aligning of bot are all allowable. You will be given a 1 minute warning, a 30 second warning, and a 5 second count down. If the inspection is not completed by the time the start buzzer sounds, your team misses out on those few moments it takes to complete the inspection...so be prepared, include inspection time in your setup timing.

We have a display poster for our Research Project.  Will there be a table or chairs to sit it on?

There will be a 2' x 4' table in the room that can be used to hold presentation material.  If you need more than that, you should bring it.

Our team created a PowerPoint presentation for their research project.  Will there be an overhead projector to plug the computer into?

No - see the "Dear Coach Letter".  "While we do not encourage the use of projection equipment, a power outlet will be available in the judging room. Teams that wish to plug something in should bring an extension cord that is at least 20 feet long. Please keep in mind that any time used by the team for setting up its presentation will be counted as part of the 9-minutes available. Coaches and parents can't help with setup. Some teams with presentations have part of the team begin with a skit or oral presentation while others on the team are doing setup in the background. Teams will need to be ready to leave at the end of 9 minutes, as the next team will be coming in."

Can parents/guests bring video cameras to record the competition and project session?

Yes, though they must stay outside the blue marked boundary around the competition tables and should not use flash or flood lights as this would distract competitors and other viewers.  The practice tables are another good place for pictures/video as it is easier to get closer and better angles.  There is a presentation practice room for Project Judging, and this is another good place for pictures/video.  Teams should be aware that the IR autofocus on some cameras can interfere with their robot.  As recommended in the Coaches' Letter, they should place black tape over their robot IR sensor to prevent interference.

The schedule shows 3 competition rounds.  Are we guaranteed all 3 rounds?  Can I split my students to ensure they all get a chance at the table?

ORTOP qualifying and championship tournaments now all schedule 3 robot rounds.   It is the team's responsibility to be there ready to compete during their time slot.  If not, they loose a turn.

It is a great idea to rotate team members between time slots to give all a chance at the table.  This arrangement is totally up to the teams.

We are doing something special (with our robot or in our project, that skirts the edge of the rules).  How do we make sure we are not penalized at the tournament due to different interpretations of the rules by the referees or judges?

Don't surprise the referees or the judges.  If you have a borderline case, review it with the Head Referee or Head Judge before the tournament starts. You will not have time in the table competition or judging sessions to debate this, and once the session is complete, it is too late.  Provide copies of the Coaches' Handbook, FLL rules, FLL blogs or head referee/judge emails to support your case.

Can we bring our competition mat to the tournament and use it to practice in the Pit?

No - see the Coaches' Letter.  We do not have enough room for teams to setup their mats.  It is unfair to allow some to bring them if all can't.  There are three practice tables.  Sign up for practice slots there before your competition rounds for final robot mission tuning.

Do we need to bring an aluminum foil "garage" to shield our robot?

No - the RCX computer uses infrared for communications.  Place black tape over the sensor to protect your programs when you are not programming it.  Visually shield it while you are programming it.  Without protection, your program may be damaged by others programming their robots or by cameras that also use infrared.  The newer NXT computer uses either a USB cable or Bluetooth wireless.  You must disable Bluetooth while at the tournament to avoid cross interference with other teams.  Program your computer using a USB cable.

Is power available in the Pit Area?

Yes - Each pit table is provided with ~3 AC power plug outlets.

Is WiFi available at Hillsboro High?

No - the school district is very strict about access to their network.  It is controlled by the district level administrators and we have no control over it at the school level.