The FIRSTTech Challenge Illinois Championship Tournamentis an intense one day event showcasing robots developed and operated by teams of high school students. The competing robots are the best robots from the FTC Qualifying Events held all around Illinois. 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 FTC program. It takes a lot of hard work to develop a competitive robot, and it shows when you see them in action at the Illinois Championship Tournament.
In the competition, two alliances (red and blue) each composed of two robot teams play each other on fields that are 12' by 12' in size. Most of the day is spent on a series of Qualifying Rounds matches played between randomly generated alliance teams to determine the top four seeded individual teams. These top four individual teams will now select two other teams that they would like to join them in forming an alliance for the Elimination Rounds matches. Late Saturday afternoon starts off with the four alliances competing in the Semi-final Matches, then the Finals where two alliances will vie for the title of Winning Alliance!
Like all FIRST Tech Challenge events, the Illinois Championship Tournament is free and open to the public! If you do plan to attend, please remember to wear closed-toed shoes and bring along a pair of safety glasses so that you can visit the pit area to meet the robots and the students who built them. And remember…our team members, coaches, mentors, volunteers and Tournament staff are all very friendly and will be happy assist you and to answer any questions that you may have.
DateFriday February 20, 2015 - Saturday Februrary 21, 2015 Venue
Parking:Parking will be available in lots B5, A4, and D5 on IIT's campus, all of which will be less than a five minute walk away from the event venue. Lot B5 is located directly to the west of the event venue.Lot B5 is located directly to the west of the event venue. Parking is complementary after 7pm on weekdays and on Saturdays, so teams will not need to pay for parking or display a permit. Refreshments:The event venue has several vending machines with drinks and snacks. Lunch Arrangements:For the first time ever, outside food will be allowed inside the event venue as long as each team only supplies food to themselves. Food service is not allowed, meaning teams may not sell or serve food to other teams. There is a Jimmy John's, Starbucks, and Miller Pizza Company a short walk from the venue. However, the event's lunch break is only 30 minutes long, which may make it difficult for teams to pick up food and have enough time to eat before the break is over. Registered teams who do not want to leave the venue to pick up food or bring their own can sign up to pre-order box lunches from IIT's campus catering service at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/omp63x6 . These box lunches will be available for pickup in the event venue and will have a sandwich, piece of fruit, bag of chips, a cookie, and a soda or a water for $10 a piece. All box lunch orders must be received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 17th so that IIT's campus catering service can order the necessary food. Lodgings:The nearest hotel is the South Loop Hotel, 11 W 26th Street, Chicago, IL 60616. Upon request, the hotel offers a both an IIT and a Winter special rate that will make a room cost $91.95 a night, including tax. Wifi:In order to eliminate the possibility of interference with the FTC Field Control System, IIT will be preventing access to all Wifi networks in the venue on the day of the event, meaning no Wifi access will be available.
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AgendaFriday NightThis year there is an optional Friday night check-in at the state tournament. All qualified teams are encouraged to check in Friday night. This will be a hardware and software inspection with field testing - there is no need to bring the full team.
Saturday
Note: All times are subject to change. We will work hard to maintain this agenda but occassionally things happen outside our control. Please pay attention to announcements in case changes are neccessary. |
The following teams have qualified already for the 2015 Illinois FTC Championship Tournament. Check back here as more Qualifiers and the League Championship happen to see which other teams are advancing.
| Team # | Team Name | Location | from Event |
Advancememt Criteria Met |
| 116 | Crazy Eights | Chicago, IL | Chicago Southside | Qualifier Host Team |
| 3507 | Robotheosis | Chicago, IL | Chicago Francis Parker | Qualifier Host Team |
| 3785 | Beastie Bots | Highland Park, IL | Quest Peoria | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 5037 | got robot? | Elgin, IL | Chicago Francis Parker | Inspire Award Winner (and Winning Alliance Captain) |
| 5085 | Newton's Lawyers | Shiloh, IL | Decatur Hope Academy | Inspire Award 3rd Place |
| 5199 | Blockheads | Barrington, IL | Batavia | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 5200 | Robots Incorporated | Barrington, IL | Batavia | Inspire Award Winner (and Winning Alliance 1st Pick) |
| 5202 | Zip Tie Fighters | Decatur, IL | Quest Peoria | Inspire Award Winner |
| 5209 | Operation Bison Bot | Wood Dale, IL | League Championship | Inspire Award 2nd Place (and Winning Alliance 1st Pick) |
| 5256 | Spare Parts | Grand Rapids, MI | Southern Illinois | Rockwell Collins Innovate Award |
| 5451 | Robot Wranglers | Highland Park, IL | Chicago Lane Tech | Inspire Award Winner |
| 5452 | Robot to the Knee | Highland Park, IL | League Championship | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 6007 | Octopi | Crystal Lake, IL | League Championship | Inspire Award Winner |
| 6287 | Warbots | Highland Park, IL | Chicago Southside | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 6459 | Macrobots | Chicago, IL | Chicago Francis Parker | Inspire Award 2nd Place |
| 6933 | Construction Zone | Pontiac, IL | Decatur Hope Academy | Inspire Award Winner (and Winning Alliance 1st Pick) |
| 7006 | Robotitans | Chicago, IL | Chicago Math and Science Academy | Qualifier Host Team |
| 7030 | RoboMinds | Chicago, IL | Decatur Hope Academy | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 7129 | Robo Raiders | Troy, IL | Southern Illinois | Inspire Award Winner (and Finalist Alliance 1st Pick) |
| 7207 | M-Fusion | Belvidere, IL | Decatur Hope Academy | Inspire Award 2nd Place |
| 7301 | Tiger Robotics | Wheaton, IL | Chicago Math and Science Academy | Inspire Award Winner |
| 7317 | Quest Gators | Peoria, IL | Southern Illinois | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 7351 | Dynamic Signals | Gurnee, IL | Chicago Southside | Inspire Award Winner |
| 7738 | Vaders | Batavia, IL | Batavia | Qualifier Host Team |
| 8608 | Shockwave | Mount Prospect, IL | League Championship | Inspire Award 3rd Place |
| 8620 | Wormgear Warriors | Edwardsville, IL | Decatur Hope Academy | Winning Alliance 2nd Pick |
| 8706 | Auburn High School | Rockford, IL | Batavia | Inspire Award 2nd Place |
| 8817 | Fruit Salad | Crystal Lake, IL | Batavia | Inspire Award 3rd Place |
| 8907 | Blue Box Bots | Elgin, IL | Chicago Math and Science Academy | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 9150 | Dragon Droids | Chicago, IL | Chicago Lane Tech | Qualifier Host Team |
| 9163 | Quest Lady Gators | Peoria, IL | Quest Peoria | Qualifier Host Team |
| 9166 | HP-Y Team | Yerucham, Israel | Chicago Lane Tech | Winning Alliance Captain |
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| Motivate Award | |
| The Motivate Award recognizes outstanding team spirit shown though costumes and outfits, team support, and other methods of standing out and raising attention. Teams that reach out to their schools and community to raise awareness of FIRST and their FTC efforts have done so in a variety of cool and inventive methods - this winner is no exception. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| Their passion, energy and positivity are great. "Sports for the Mind" they communicate. They'll take our autographs straigh to state. Winning motivate will be their fate. It is awarded to the Crazy Eights. | |
| Winner: | 116, Crazy Eights, Chicago, IL |
| Control Award | |
| The Control 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. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| This team's robot scored consistently in autonomous with their simple and robust design. Buckle up team, the judges were very impressed with your chemistry. This team's ultrasonic 'senses' helped them to avoid collisions as they ran with the herd. | |
| Winner: | 5209, Operation: BisonBot, Wood Dale, IL |
| Judge's Award - Rising Star | |
| The Judges Award is given at the discretion of the Judges to a Team they have encountered whose unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition, yet the Team does not fit into any of the existing Award categories. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| They're hunted, fished, and scavenged the region over for parts. Their positive vibes exemplify Gracious Professionalism. All that is unknown is how high they will rise as they venture out from their basement lab. | |
| Winner: | 7351, Dynamic Signals, Gurnee, IL |
| Best All Around Rookie Award | |
| The Best All Around Rookie Award is given to a rookie team that excels in many aspects of FTC despite being a first year team. The recipient of this award is a young but exemplary team that clearly inspires students to learn more about science and technology. This team is off to a great start in their FTC career. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| This team's all-round traits were quite appealing. This bunch of girls we like BERRY much. Their ebooks were so good, it reads like a ballad. Orange you glad. | |
| Winner: | 8817, Fruit Salad, Crystal Lake, IL |
| Highest Ranked Rookie Award | |
| The Highest Ranked Rookie award is given to a rookie team that ranks highest at the end of qualification matches. | |
| Winner: | 8608, Shockwave, Mt. Prospect, IL |
| Connect Award | |
| The Connect Award is a bit different than the Motivate Award. Winners of the Connect Award have done a great deal of community outreach not only to spread the word about FIRST but specifically to include engineers, scientists, and other technology professionals into their outreach efforts. This creates connections between teams, FIRST, and the professional world that can last years beyond their participation in FTC. Connect Award winners also develop and execute plans to fund their team including clear goals and objectives - including how they can give back to their community in the future. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| From the banks of the North Shore their outreach campaign has crossed borders, their fundraising efforts are unprecedented and their grants have changed lives. They are intergalactic role models with a planetary impact. They are the Giants of Highland Park. | |
| Winner: | 3785, Beastie Bots, Highland Park, IL |
| Rockwell Collins Innovate Award | |
| The Rockwell Collins Innovate Award is robot specific. It celebrates teams who come up with innovate solutions to the Game Challenge that most others have overlooked. These solutions can't just look good - they've got to work... at least most of the time. Historically, some of the most innovative breakthroughs in science and technology have come when fresh thinking is applied to a known problem. This year's Rockwell Collins Innovate Award winners demonstrated that type of thinking. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| Other teams may be GREEN with envy, but this team is no CONEheads. Really, they just GOT it... | |
| Winner: | 5037, got robot?, Elgin, IL |
| PTC Design Award | |
| We are happy that PTC has offered to sponsor the PTC Design Award. The intent of this award is to expand the challenge, inspiring teams to incorporate industrial design into their robots. These elements can be shown in the simplicity of the design as it applies to the tasks, the look and feel of the robot, and how the design allows us to think of robots in new ways. The Design aspects must serve a function - but they should also differentiate the robot in a unique fashion - not an easy task with a limited set of parts and game challenge. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| Building squarely on a solid foundation and thinking within the " box". This team truly loved their work. This team impressed the judges with not only a well designed robot but their snappy dress. Incorporating all their engineering skills they graduated to the big leads. | |
| Winner: | 5200, Robots Incorporated, Barrington, IL |
| Think Award | |
| Every team at this event has had to think - hopefully a lot. The Think Award recognizes the team that has successfully thought, organized, and documented their journey from their starting point to their final design. The engineering notebook is the record of this journey. Just like in real life, teams that can document their process have the best chance at learning from it and improving on it. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| The judges were impressed with this team's thorough documentation of their engineering ADVENTURE. Their precise measurements and schematics diagrams allowed them to explore their options before MARRYING their design. Their telescoping ARM reaches toward the SKY, so they don't KNEEL to the competition. | |
| Winner: | 5452, Robot to the Knee, Highland Park, IL |
| Inspire Award | |||
| The Inspire Award is the highest award given by FTC. The winner of the Inspire Award is automatically eligible for advancement to the next tournament level. The Inspire Award winner is the 'prototype' for what we'd like to see all teams achieve as part of the FIRST Tech Challenge. They do many of the things mentioned in the other awards. The difference is that they've tied these together in a comprehensive manner resulting in success in the competition, outreach to the community, robot design, team spirit, and engineering accomplishment. That's a tall order but we've got some great candidates for this award today. Here is what the judges had to say: | |||
| With all around excellence, they entered the battlefield dressed to impress. This team popped to the top with their well documented design. Accordion to the reports, we cannot delay much later. |
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| Winner: | 7129, Robo Raiders, Troy, IL | ||
| 2nd Runner Up: | 5037, got robot?, Elgin, IL | 3rd Runner Up: | 5202, Zip TIE Fighters, Decatur, IL |
| Dean's List Finalists | |
| In an effort to recognize the leadership and dedication of FIRST's most outstanding secondary school students, the Kamen Family sponsors the FIRST Dean's Lists Awards for selected 10th or 11th grade student participants in FRC and FTC. We strongly recommend coaches to nominate candidates at the beginning of the season. The finalists are great examples of current student leaders who have led their FTC teams and communities to increase awareness for FIRST and its mission while achieving personal technical expertise and accomplishment. It is FIRST's goal that all Dean's List semifinalists, finalists and winners will continue on as great leaders of FIRST's ever growing student alumni. Finalists are recognized here and will be considered for the FTC FIRST Dean's List Award at the FIRST World Championship. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| Finalist 1: | Christopher Laker (Team 5037, got robot?) |
| Chris has been a member of FTC team 5037 for three years. In addition to his role, on the CAD team and drive team, he has played a crucial role in mentoring a local FLL team for two years. He is quick to help spread awareness of FIRST by volunteering for team demos and making sure to interact with attendees. After creating a presentation, he was able to secure a three year long sponsor commitment from the local firefighter's union as well as from the local Lion's club. Within his team, Chris leads by example, creating checklists for his team, initiating the design process, beginning initial prototyping, and eventually leading up the CAD process. He is a source of motivation for team members speaking to them individually to ask them how their work is going, and he enthusiastically encourages them. Chris exudes a strong commitment to FIRST and displays an incredible ability to motivate and lead. | |
| Finalist 2: | Hannah Lightner (Team 5202, Zip TIE Fighters) |
| Hannah has been a participant in FIRST for 7 years. As a key member of FTC team 5202 she has been the team's programmer, outreach activities lead and vice president. Her fluency in both labview and robot C is a testament to her interest and passion for STEM. Her ability to spread the message can be witnessed through her actions, helping host an annual rookie FTC workshop, assisting local FLL tournaments, mentoring FLL teams, assisting at 4H workshops, contacting local and state politicians and playing a key role in establishing the Decatur FTC qualifier. She embodies the ideals of FIRST and moreover realizes that these internalized values can have life changing impact outside of robotics programs. | |
| Rank | Team # | Team Name | Award | Advancing to Northern Super Regional | Division |
| 1 | 7129 | Robo Raiders | Inspire Award Winner | yes | Tinker |
| 2 | 5037 | got robot? | Winning Alliance Captain | yes | Smith |
| 3 | 5037 | got robot? | Inspire Award 2nd place | already advancing | |
| 4 | 6007 | Octopi | Winning Alliance, 1st team selected | yes | Tinker |
| 5 | 5202 | Zip TIE Fighters | Inspire Award 3rd place | yes | Tinker |
| 6 | 3785 | Beastie Bots | Winning Alliance, 2nd team selected | yes | Smith |
| 7 | 5452 | Robot to the Knee | Think Award Winner | yes | Tinker |
| 8 | 5209 | Operation: BisonBot | Finalist Alliance Captain | yes | Tinker |
| 9 | 3785 | Beastie Bots | Connect Award Winner | already advancing | |
| 10 | 7129 | Robo Raiders | Finalist Alliance, 1st team selected | already advancing | |
| 11 | 5037 | got robot? | Rockwell Collins Innovate Award Winner | already advancing | |
| 12 | 7351 | Dynamic Signals | Finalist Alliance, 2nd team selected | yes | Smith |
Teams will advance to the next level of competition in the order indicated below according to the number of spots available. In the event that the team listed has already advanced or there is no team fitting that description (as in 2nd team selected at smaller events), the advancement will continue in order.
