The Central Illinois Regional (CIR) FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an intense three-day event showcasing robots developed and operated by teams of high school students. The competing robots are the result of 6-1/2 weeks of high school students and professional engineering/science mentors teaming up to solve the engineering challenges presented in the Season Challenge/Robot Game. The robots represent the product of focused brainstorming, real-world teamwork, dedicated mentoring, and managing project deadlines. The mentor/student interaction is integral to the FRC program. It takes a lot of hard work to develop a competitive robot, and it shows when you see them in action at the Central Illinois Regional.
FRC robots are big, measuring up to 6-1/2 feet tall and weighing up to 120 pounds. In the competition, two alliances (red and blue) each composed of three robot teams play each other on fields that are the size of a basketball half-court. All day Friday through Saturday morning a series of Qualifying Rounds matches are played between randomly generated alliance teams to determine the top eight seeded individual teams. These top eight individual teams will now select two other teams that they would like to join them in forming an alliance for the Play-Off Matches. Saturday afternoon starts off with the eight alliances competing in the Quarter-final Matches, four alliances will move on to the Semi-final Matches, then the Finals where two alliances will vie for the title of Central Illinois Regional Champion!
CIR is a spectator-friendly competition environment that has the feel of both a major sporting event and a rock concert, complete with cheering fans, crazy costumes, special lighting, up-beat music, a large video wall, and energetic emcees/announcers. In essence, the event is a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)!
In addition, the Central Illinois Regional encourages students, teams, mentors and volunteers alike to think and act "beyond the bot" by student activities such as hosting community outreach projects like Beyond LEGO Day.
Like all FIRST Robotics Competition events, the Central Illinois Regional is free and open to the public! If you do plan to attend, please remember to wear closed-toed shoes. Plan to visit the team pit area and talk to the students and ask them questions about their team and robot. We will have safety glasses available at the entrance or feel free to bring your own pair. And remember…our team members, coaches, mentors, volunteers and Regional staff are all very friendly and will be happy assist you and to answer any questions that you may have.
We hope that all of you who attended the 2015 Central Illinois Regional at the Bradley University Renaissance Coliseum enjoyed the competition and were amazed at what these students are doing! If you couldn't make it this year, we hope that you will be able to join us in 2016.
Regional
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Regional
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Engineering
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Rookie
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# 2481 - Roboteers |
# 2039 - Rockford Robotics |
# 876 - Thunder Robotics |
# 5442 - Mechanical Monarchy |
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# 1756 - Argos |
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# 2220 - Blue Twilight |
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By winning the above awards, these teams have earned a spot at the 2015 FIRST Robotics World Championship Event that took place in St. Louis, Missouri on April 22 - 25, 2015.
Here is a link to the winning Chairman's Video.
Sign-up to VOLUNTEER TODAY!
As with any FIRST Event, Volunteers are the backbone of success! Both experienced and inexperienced Volunteers in all areas are always welcome! Join the excitement and the fun of being part of the FIRST Family. For a listing and description of the various volunteer roles, click here or contact Central Illinois Regional Volunteer Coordinator Vera Koch at frccir2014@gmail.com.
