The FIRSTTech Challenge Illinois Championship Tournamentis an intense two 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 26, 2016 - Saturday Februrary 27, 2016 Venue
Parking:Parking will be available in the Red Lot (Lots J, & H). This parking lot is open parking space to students, visitors and staff. Specific parking areas are reserved for staff parking, accessible parking, motorcyles or other uses. Please read the posted signs carefully. Parking overnight is prohibited. Click here for more parking, drop-off, and check-in information and maps. Pits:This year, plan on the pits are 9'x9' in size. Click here for the pit layout. Please make sure that everyone in the pits are wearing safety glasses and closed toed shoes. The pits are open to the public so take care to keep everything of value properly secured. Refreshments:The Wildstang Cafe run by FRC Team 111 will be selling concessions from 7:30am to 3:00pm. Click here for a full menu. Lunch Arrangements:Teams may pre-order Pizza and Jimmy John sandwiches by email or at the Wildstang Cafe by 9am that day. Click here for the Order Form. Please do us a favor and have your orders in by February 24th (follow email instructions on the order form). Lodgings:There are a number of local hotels within 10 miles of the venue. We've arranged for rooms at the following hotels:
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AgendaFriday NightThis year the State Championship is a day and half event. Judging and Inspections will take place on Friday night. Qualified teams should plan to arrive at 6:30 p.m.
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. Wifi:In order to eliminate the possibility of interference with the FTC Field Control System, ECC will be preventing access to all Wifi networks in the venue on the day of the event, meaning no Wifi access will be available. |
The following teams have qualified already for the 2016 Illinois FTC Championship Tournament.
| Team # | Team Name | Location | from Event |
Advancememt Criteria Met |
| 2923 | Kaybots | Kankakee, IL | Peoria | Winning Alliance 2nd Pick |
| 3507 | RoboTheosis | Chicago, IL | Chicago League | Inspire Award Finalist 3 |
| 4106 | Supposable Thumbs | New Berlin, WI | Southern Illinois | Inspire Award Winner |
| 5037 | got robot? | Elgin, IL | Francis W Parker | Inspire Award Finalist 2 |
| 5199 | Duct Tape and a Prayer | Barrington, IL | Batavia | Think Award |
| 5202 | Zip Tie Fighters | Decatur, IL | Peoria | Inspire Award/Winning Alliance Captain |
| 5209 | Operation: BisonBot | Wood Dale, IL | Higland Park | Inspire Award Finalist 2 |
| 5294 | Invertibles | Batavia, IL | Batavia | HOST TEAM |
| 5452 | robot to the knee | Highland Park, IL | Chicago Math and Science Academy | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 6007 | Octopi | Crystal Lake, IL | Batavia | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 6200 | Engineers With Attitudes | Barrington, IL | Batavia | Inspire Award Finalist 2 |
| 6933 | Construction Zone | Pontiac, IL | Peoria | Inspire Award Finalist 2/Winning Alliance 1st Pick |
| 6994 | Machination | Marseilles, IL | Decatur | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 7006 | RoboTitans | Chicago, IL | Chicago League | Inspire Award Finalist 2 |
| 7089 | Cyborg Eagles | La Grange, IL | Batavia | Winning Alliance Second Pick |
| 7129 | Robo Raiders | Troy, IL | Southern Illinois | Inspire Award Finalist 2 |
| 7351 | Dynamic Signals | Gurnee, IL | Chicago Math and Science Academy | Inspire Award Winner |
| 8608 | Shockwave | Mt. Prospect, IL | North League | Motivate Award Winner |
| 8620 | WormGear Warriors | Edwardsville, IL | Southern Illinois | Inspire Award Finalist 3 |
| 8648 | Peoria Manual Rams | Peoria, IL | Decatur | Winning Alliance 1st Pick |
| 8685 | Techno Tamarins | Belvidere, IL | North League | Finalist Alliance Capt. |
| 8817 | Fruit Salad | Crystal Lake, IL | Batavia | Inspire Award Winner |
| 8873 | Enginuity | Kildeer, IL | Chicago Math and Science Academy | Inspire Award Finalist 3 |
| 8907 | Blue Box Bots | Elgin, IL | Francis W Parker | Inspire Award Winner |
| 8943 | OOPS! Robotics | Glen Carbon, IL | Decatur | Inspire Award Finalist 2 |
| 9113 | Blue | Lake Forest, IL | North League | Highest Ranked Team Not Advancing |
| 9189 | Optimus Primates | Orion, IL | Francis W Parker | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 9373 | Demon Bot 2 | Park Ridge, IL | Higland Park | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 9411 | Rolling Thunder | Aurora, IL | North League | Highest Ranked Team Not Advancing |
| 9788 | Peoria Manual Rams | Peoria, IL | Decatur | Winning Alliance 2nd Pick |
| 10091 | N.Y.A.N. Robotics | Mundelein, IL | North League | Inspire Award Finalist 3 |
| 10093 | RoboKays | Kankakee, IL | Peoria | Inspire Award Finalist 3 |
| 10138 | Newton Busters FTC | Wilmette, IL | Chicago League | Winning Alliance Captain |
| 10363 | Knights of Tech | Palitine, IL | Higland Park | Inspire Award Winner |
| 10510 | I'm Botman | Chicago, IL | Chicago League | Winning Alliance 1st pick |
| 10635 | Unknown Element | Batavia, IL | Chicago Math and Science Academy | Winning Alliance 1st Pick |
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| Rookie Award | |
| The 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 charged out of the gate with a great presentation on Friday evening. With chivalrous display of gracious professionalism, they conquered the tech world. They proved themselves to be the rookie knights in shining armor. | |
| Winner: | 10363, Knights of Tech, Palatine, 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: | Samuel Flickinger |
| Samuel Flickinger: This Dean's List FInalist has been anintegral part of expanding their community to grow to over a dozen FLL teams, an FLL qualifer, and an FTC qualifer. In addition to growing teams, this finalist is an active mentor for two FLL teams. On the team, this student clearly has strong STEM skills not only as the team's lead programmer, but also using CAD to creatively make parts. It is evident that this studentis a strong leader and will continue to be a strong leader in FIRST because the skill the student values most is public speaking. And more importantly, much like a zip tie, he ensures histeam creates stronger bonds. | |
| Finalist 2: | Audrey Godsell |
| Audrey Godsell: This student has been a memberof the FIRST community for 5 years, through FLL and now FTC. This finalist is a leader being involved in many aspects of the team's robotinitially as a programmer, and now as an electrical expert, the head robot builder, and a member of the drive team. It is clear the student is passionate about spreading the word of FIRST at many different events especially to younger students. Beyond the involvement in FTC, this finalist mentors an FLL team and volunteers at several FLL and FTC events. Fun fact: Blackberries are a great source of nutrients including vitamins C, E, and K. | |
| Finalist 3: | Knut Peterson |
| A highly motivated learner, this student strives to lead, by teaching or helping his team mates, other FTC teams, and being involved in numerous FLL events. This finalist mentors FLL teams, presents at a FLL coach's clinic. several FLL workshops, and volunteers at FLL events. This year with the introduction of the new FTC Control System, this student has reached out to FTC team across the country, sometimes scouring forums and other avenues to find FTC teams struggling to help. In their team, this finalist is an excellent CAD designer, a programmer and has been instrumental in building a strong Engineering Notebook. Always sporting a classy look, this student is a great ambassador for FIRST. | |
| Finalist 4: | Joseph Phillips |
| A jack of all trades, this student has been involved in their team's engineering, finance, strategy, drive team, and project management. The finalist was attracted to FIRST because of it's message that it is ok to go outside of the directions and to innovate. This message is spread to those team members he leads through CAD and Fabrication. This student is a great representative of FIRST, mentoring under served students in East St Louis, presenting FTC to leadership at Scott Air Force Base, showing the business plan to State Representatives, and for the past 3 years serving as a FLL mentor. The finalist plans to continue to "RAID" through the FIRST Community by continuing to serve as a volunteer. | |
| Volunteer of the Year | |
| Volunteer of the Year is: | Sidnei Stifelmann |
| This person has been involved with FTC for over 5 years. In his time he has spent countless hours shaping the Illinois FTC judging process, first as a judge and eventually as a judge advisor.For the past several years, he has taken the lead and currently volunteers as the Statewide Judge Advisor. Under this role, he organizes Judge Advisors throughout the states contacting them to ensure ehey are trained, addressing any questions or issues that arise, and making sure they are equipped to support the dozens of judges across the state. He strives to ensure that the judging process, which is a critical component of FTC is fair and that every team has the opportunity to showcase how they inspire. The 2016 Illinois FTC Volunteer of the Year award goes to Sidnei Stiflemann. | |
| Judge's Award | |
| 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: | |
| This team has been available to RES-Q teams in need. They truly embody gracious professionalism here at home and abroad. They havebeen observed to give ahelping hand and be a great role model. | |
| Winner: | 5037, got robot?, Elgin, IL |
| Compass Award | |
| The Compass Award recognizes an adult coach or mentor who provided outstanding guidance and support for an FTC Team throughout the year. The winner of the Compass Award is determined from candidates nominated by FTC student Team members, via a 40-60 second video submission, highlighting how their mentor has helped them become an outstanding Team and truly demonstrated what it means to be a Gracious Professional. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| This mentor is truly a compass to their team. Not only does tihs mentor help the team with programming, and documentation, but also encourages the students to be successful outside of their team in their personal endeavors by taking a genuiune intrest in their future and encouraging them outside of FIRST. The mentor is also a role model evidenced by the countless hours she spends giving back as a volunteer at many FIRST events. We agree with her students when they say she is avaluable asset to the team. | |
| Winner: | Kathryn Lucas |
| Promote Award | |
| The Promote Award is given to the Team that is most successful in creating a compelling message for the public designed to change our culture and celebrate science, technology, engineering and math. The FTC Public Service Announcement Video was evaluated by the Judges to determine the winner of this Award. Teams must present a thoughtful and high-quality video which appeals to the general public and best exhibits this yearâ??s topic of "Now that I've succeeded in FIRST..." Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| The video that this created promotes many aspects of FIRST and FTC. They showcase machanical, programming, public speaking, and team skills. The video creatively merges pictures, videos and screenshots and provides a great PSA for FIRST. They truly know how to bust out of the box. | |
| Winner: | 10138, Newton Busters FTC, Wilmette, 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 used sensors and software to enhance their robot function. Unique senses allowed them to navigate the game field. This is the droid we are looking for. The winner of the Control Award is | |
| Winner: | 5202, Zip Tie Fighters, Decatur, IL |
| Motivate Award | |
| Next we have the Motivate Award. This Judged Award celebrates the Team that exemplifies the essence of the FIRST Tech Challenge competition and embraces the culture of FIRST while making a collective effort to make FIRST known throughout their school, and community and sparks others to embrace the culture of FIRST. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| This team truely embraces inclusiveness and each individual's contribution to the team. The communication, collaboration, and team work are top notched. This team sends clear signals of FIRST's Core Values throughout the community. The finalist for the Motivate Award is: | |
| Winner: | 7351, Dynamic Signals, Gurnee, IL |
| PTC Design Award | |
| The intent of the PTC Design Award is to expand on 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 aspect must serve a function, but they should also differentiate the robot in a unique fashion. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| This bot's design was clean and well integrated. It really lit up the competition. This t eam springs into action, and BLUE the judges away. | |
| Winner: | 8907, Blue Box Bots, Elgin, IL |
| Rockwell Collins Innovate Award | |
| The Rockwell Collins Innovate Award celebrates a Team that has the ingenuity and inventiveness to make their designs come to life. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| This team demonstrated innovation across several design elements. You should tread lightly around them. They might use a plastic telescope to deliver it. | |
| Winner: | 5452, robot to the knee, Highland Park, IL |
| Connect Award | |
| Our next Award, The Connect Award, is presented to the Team that the Judges' feel most connected with their local community, FIRST and the business world. The best Team is more than the sum of its parts, and recognizes that their schools and communities play an essential part to their success. The recipient of this Award is recognized for helping the community understand FIRST, the FIRST Tech Challenge, and the Team itself. In addition, the Team that wins this Award is aggressively seeking engineers and exploring the opportunities available in the world of engineering, science and technology. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| Bookstores aren't just for readers. And STEM isn't just for boys. Food banking, teaching, coding, Are examples of the CONNECTIONS they enjoy. They're not just average - | |
| Winner: | 10091, N.Y.A.N. Robotics, Mundelein, IL |
| Think Award | |
| The Think Award is given to the Team that the Judges feel best reflects the journey the team took as they experienced the engineering design process during the build season. The Engineering Notebook is the key reference for Judges to help them identify the most deserving Team. This Team's Engineering Notebook focused on the design and build stages of the Team's robot and exemplified their journey as a team and engineers. Here is what the judges had to say: | |
| Just TURN THE PAGES through this teams engineering notebook , and you'll clearly understand with design process. Design timelines, decision matrices, and detailed drawings are all present..... as they're SUPPOSED to be. THUMBS UP for the team from the land of Lambeau! | |
| Winner: | 4106, Supposable Thumbs, New Berlin, WI |
| Inspire Award | |||
| The Inspire Award is given to the Team that the Judges felt truly embodied the 'challenge' of the FTC program. The Team that receives this award is a strong ambassador for FIRST programs and works to promote FIRST and make it loud in their community. The Team that receives this Award has performed well in all Judging categories and was chosen by the Judges as a model FIRST Tech Challenge Team on and off the playing field. The Judges used Match performance, observations made during interviews and in the pit area, the Team's Engineering Notebook, and performance on the playing field in determining the winner. Here is what the judges had to say: | |||
| Get out of their way, their rampaging robot rudefully runs through the competition. ACCORDION to recent reports, this team masterfully marched their way to victory with their own battle song. And if you want to dress as well as them, you'll have to raid their wardrobe, for |
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| Winner: | 7129, Robo Raiders, Troy, IL | ||
| 2nd Runner Up: | 4106, Supposable Thumbs, New Berlin, WI | 3rd Runner Up: | 7351, Dynamic Signals, Gurnee, IL |
| Rank | Team # | Team Name | Award | Advancing to Northern Super Regional |
| 1 | 7129 | Robo Raiders | Inspire Award Winner | yes |
| 2 | 8620 | WormGear Warriors | Winning Alliance Captain | yes |
| 3 | 4106 | Supposable Thumbs | Inspire Award 2nd place | already advancing |
| 4 | 4106 | Supposable Thumbs | Winning Alliance, 1st team selected | already advancing |
| 5 | 7351 | Dynamic Signals | Inspire Award 3rd place | yes |
| 6 | 7351 | Dynamic Signals | Winning Alliance, 2nd team selected | already advancing |
| 7 | 4106 | Supposable Thumbs | Think Award Winner | already advancing |
| 8 | 8907 | Blue Box Bots | Finalist Alliance Captain | yes |
| 9 | 10091 | N.Y.A.N. Robotics | Connect Award Winner | yes |
| 10 | 7129 | Robo Raiders | Finalist Alliance, 1st team selected | already advancing |
| 11 | 5452 | robot to the knee | Rockwell Collins Innovate Award Winner | yes |
| 12 | 8608 | Shockwave | Finalist Alliance, 2nd team selected | yes |
| 13 | 8907 | Blue Box Bots | PTC Design Award Winner | already advancing |
| 14 | 7351 | Dynamic Signals | Motivate Award Winner | already advancing |
| 15 | 5202 | Zip Tie Fighters | Control Award Winner | yes |
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.
