General Info

Covid-19 Safety Guidelines

Leading up to the event, we are closely monitoring both Marion County Health Department and CDC guidelines for public events. 

• Please note that in an effort to ensure the safety of all participants, spectators, and volunteers, this will be a mask-mandatory event.

• Please practice social distancing, staying 6ft. apart when possible

• Please limit the number of people in the pit areas to students and coaches only

• Please stay home if you are sick or experiencing any Covid symptoms

Team Load-In Parking

No parking passes will be required this year for team load-in. We have a specific parking area for teams within the main Lucas Oil Stadium South Lot on the South West side of the stadium. We will allow 1 car from each team to park in this area to make loading-in and out as easy as possible for you. We do have limited spaces available so we are highly encouraging teams, parents, and spectators to carpool if possible. There will also be additional parking available in the lot just south of McCarty St. for $10 all day. Bus parking will be available in the parking lot located to the east of E. Henry Street  South Pennsylvania Street. Please note: Cars can be left in the south parking lot of Lucas Oil Stadium overnight however we do not suggest keeping any valuables (including robots) in your car. The lot is not patrolled by security so parking is at your own risk. 

Parking Map - LINK 

Load-In 

Upon arrival, teams may enter the parking area from Missouri Street (this is a one-way street traveling north) at the southwest corner of the stadium.  All teams will be permitted to load-in via the southwest ramp (on the north end of the parking lot). This ramp will give teams direct access to the main competition area on the field. 

Load-In Map - LINK 

Dining Options

We ask that coaches and parents please review the following information carefully and plan accordingly. 

Teams are permitted to bring non-refrigerated snacks into their pit areas, packed discreetly, with the rest of the team’s supplies during LOAD IN ONLY. Each team member and coach should also bring a refillable water bottle. Water stations will be available throughout the pit area.  Food and drink from outside vendors WILL NOT be permitted at any time in the building. For example, teams will not be able to order pizza or Jimmy Johns and bring them into the stadium. 

The following lunch options are available for teams:

• Concession stands - A variety of concessions and vending machines will be open to teams and the general public throughout the day. We expect an average cost for lunch (sandwich or hot dog, chips, and drink) will run about $12 per person. We are staggering lunch times for each division to help manage lines and crowds: 

• MS/HS VRC lunch = 12:30pm-1:30pm 

• Pre-ordered box lunches -  teams will have the option of pre-ordering box lunches through Lucas Oil Stadium’s catering company. All box lunches include a small sandwich, a bag of chips and an apple for $9. A bottled water or canned soda will cost an additional $3.50. There will be a 9% sales tax and 22% service charge added to all catering orders. All orders must be placed, and pre-paid in full by no later than Friday, February 25th, 2022. Box lunches may be picked up between the hours of 11am-2pm in Exhibit Hall 1. If you are interested in purchasing box lunches, please complete the Catering Order Form that was attached to the email you received and scan and email to [email protected]

Team Check-In and Inspection

Please note that teams will be required to be checked into the event and have robots inspected by 9:30 am on Saturday, March 12.

• Team Check-In: Team Check-In will be located between the Pit Area and competition stage of the team’s specific division. For check-in, no team members have to be present (coach can complete check-in). Team’s will receive their team packet and Inspection checklist, skills punch card, and will then proceed to the Inspection area. 

  • Consent Forms - please review REC’s policy regarding consent forms here and decide which option pertains to your team.

• Inspection: VRC Inspection will be located in the north endzone. 

A student must be present in order for their robot to be inspected. Make sure a student from the team brings your robot, battery, remote, and inspection sheet from the team packet.  In order to expedite the inspection process, it is important for teams to be certain ahead of time that their robot meets all of the requirements to compete:

• VRC Inspection Checklist (V5)

• Friday Early Check-In/Inspection/Skills (optional but encouraged!) - Early check-in is optional for teams on Friday March 11th from 6pm - 8pm. This is a great opportunity to beat the Saturday morning rush! Teams may check-in, grab their team packets, get their robots inspected, set up their Pit Area, and complete at least 1 skills run.  You are welcome to set up your charging stations and any other equipment that you might have. Practice fields and skills fields will not be available at this time. 

We get many questions regarding if robots can be left in the pit area overnight. This is at the discretion of the coach and team. The stadium will be locked up after 8pm on Friday, however there will be cleaning staff in the building afterwards. We don't suggest leaving laptops, or other valuables. Many teams do leave their robot overnight - just remember once your robots are inspected Friday night, they are not to be modified prior to the event on Saturday. 

Please Note: Friday check-in will close promptly at 8pm and everyone will be required to exit Lucas Oil Stadium at that time. 

Team Pit Area and Power 

Team pit areas will be located on the main field near the competition stages.  Each team pit area will be 8’ wide x 7’ deep, and will include a table, 2 chairs, and a trash can. Each pit area will be stanchioned off and will share a power quad-box with 6-8 other pits. Teams should bring an extension cord and surge protector power strip for power needs. Teams will be emailed a finalized Pit Map prior to the championship, so you will be familiar with your team's exact pit location. 

The following are NOT PERMITTED in the Pit Area:

• fields that extend outside their pits (teams CAN bring a field as long as it fits in your pit area)

• balloons and drones are not permitted anywhere in the Stadium - sorry :( 

• Food from outside vendors

Skills Challenge

 Teams may compete on the skills fields on a first come, first served basis. Teams will be allowed to attempt both Programming and Driver Skills challenges 3 times each. Teams will be ranked based on their combined score in the two types of matches.

 See the agenda in the Digital Program HERE for times that the skills fields are open.

 Please note that the skills fields will be open during lunch.

 *NEW this year - teams will have the opportunity to complete some skills runs on Friday night from 6-8pm.  The number of runs is not guaranteed, but teams will have the opportunity to get at least one skills run in.

 Practice Fields 

Practice fields will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

 Please note: teams are NOT PERMITTED to bring fields that extend outside their pits (teams CAN bring a field as long as it fits in your pit area). 

See the agenda in the Digital Program HERE for times that the practice fields are open.

 Competition Divisions 

Both IQ Elementary and Middle School will not be divided into smaller divisions.  Divisions are made up of each age group and named after the subjects in STEM:

Science - Middle School VRC

Technology - High School VRC

Engineering - Middle School IQ

Math - Elementary School IQ

*Please note that for IQ divisions, starting positions will be both alliances together on the 8ft. side of the field.

Engineering Notebooks/Judged Awards

We will have Judged awards that can qualify your team to worlds. In order to mirror what will be required at worlds, all Engineering Notebooks will be required to be submitted digitally in advance. Engineering notebooks will not be accepted the day of. A digital Engineering Notebook must be submitted to qualify for the Excellence Award, Design Award, and Innovate Award. Submission of a PDF of your notebook will be due by Monday, February 28th if you want it considered for judging. When you are ready to upload your Engineering Notebook, you may do so at the following LINK.

*There are several options for converting paper notebooks to digital.  We suggest using the image to pdf converter app.

Note, a digital notebook is not required to get an interview. Every team will receive at least one live interview with judges the day of the competition.  

Judge Stations - New this year, there will be several judge stations for teams to visit for their interview as it best fits within their schedule.  Judges will no longer be coming into the pits to conduct interviews.  It will be the responsibility of each team to come to a judging station when they are ready for an interview.  Each team will receive at least one interview.

Indiana State Champ Swag - now on sale!!!

Celebrate the 2022 Indiana VEX Robotics State Championship in style with a comfy, limited edition t-shirt, hoodie, water bottle, fanny pack, or beanie!  In previous years the State Champ swag has sold out QUICKLY, so guarantee your piece by pre-ordering now. Swag will be available to pick up on the day of the event at the North entrance of Lucas Oil Stadium near the horseshoe, just present ID or receipt of this pre-order purchase. Pre-order sales close March 1st, so secure swag while you can. Click here to pre-order: ‘22 Indiana VEX Robotics State Champ Swag

 Accessibility 

If anyone from your team requires wheelchair access please contact us at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Suggested Donation at Door

Annually, TechPoint Foundation for Youth's (TPF4Y)  staff and board work tirelessly to raise $600,000 to make the State Robotics Initiative possible for Indiana students. This year at the State Championship event, TechPoint Foundation for Youth will be seeking support for this important initiative which has helped put Indiana on the map for VEX robotics. Our fundraising goal for the day is $10,000. Every dollar raised will go directly back to supporting Indiana elementary, middle, and high schools that hope to launch or maintain VEX robotics teams for their students as well as bring classroom robotics to their students through VEX GO. Those interested in supporting the growth of the State Robotics Initiative can help us achieve our fundraising goal for the day with a suggested donation of $3 individual donation or a $10 family/group donation.  We will have volunteers stationed at both the North and South entrance collecting donations. Please help us make #Robots4All a reality in Indiana! 

Grade Level: High School

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: All In-Person Judging