Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
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Ignite the Northwest VRC Signature Event (HS/MS)

Date
13-Jan-2024 - 15-Jan-2024 Add to Calendar
Event Code
RE-VRC-23-1488
Program
VEX V5 Robotics Competition
Event Type
Tournament
Event Format
In-Person
Field Control System
Smart Field Control
Capacity
150
Spots Open
16
Event Region
Washington
Max Registrations per Organization
12
Early-Bird Registration Opens
23-Sep-2023 12:00 EDT
Standard Registration Opens
7-Oct-2023 12:00 EDT
Registration Deadline
16-Dec-2023 08:00 EST
Payment Deadline
16-Dec-2022 23:55 EST
Price
$380.00

A maximum of 50% of team registrations can be from any one event region

Region Maximum % # Spots Allowed # Spots Remaining
Washington 50% 75 0
This event is closed to registration because:
  • It is past the registration deadline.

General Info

Welcome to Ignite the Northwest 2024!

This VRC Over Under Event will be held at the Microsoft Global Headquarters Conference Center, just outside Seattle, Washington.

 

Make sure to check back often for updates! Sign up for email notifications and check out more details about the event here: https://www.ignitesig.org

 

If your team requires financial aid to attend this event, or if you are registering multiple teams from an organization, please describe your situation and contact: [email protected]

 

About the Event

Welcome to Ignite the Northwest 2024! We aim to bring the best teams from all over the US and the World to compete and to prepare students for their own Regional Championships and the World Championship. The event setup is very similar to the World Championships and will provide the teams with a great experience of high-level competition! Elimination rounds will include 16 alliances.

Please note that this event is a 3-Day event. Check the Agenda tab for more information.

 

Prizes

We are giving away three Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2's (sponsored by Microsoft Devices)! All teams will be eligible to win and we will announce how we will be giving these away at the event. Get ready to compete for Sleek, light, on-the-go performance and some awesome custom trophies!

 

Competition Preparation

This event is sure to be a fast-paced and exciting event. All teams should come prepared for the competition. Here are a few steps that every team should take to ensure that they are prepared.

1. Review the rules, the code of conduct, and run through the inspection checklist

2. Check the VEX Forum and the Q&A for official rule updates and changes.

3. Carefully read all of the information contained in this tournament posting

4. Review the descriptions and criteria for the awards that are being given during the tournament. 

5. Prep for your interviews with the judges. Check the awards tab to see what awards will be given during the tournament.

6. Ensure that you have the latest version of firmware.

 

Food and Drink:

Microsoft is now allowing teams to bring outside food to the venue. We’ve also partnered with local restaurants to deliver food to our teams during the event. This will be done through a pre-ordering process. 

When you order with one of our catering partners, the food will be delivered by the restaurant on-site, and you can pick it up directly from us! This will save you time and lots of you can stay inside the venue

 

Event Merchandise

Customize t-shirts and hoodies just like at the World Championships! Put your team number, personal motto, or alternative designs! 

 

Qualification for the VEX VRC World Championships

This event includes four spots for 2023-24 Over Under World Championships.

The awards that qualify for the World Championships are:

2x Tournament Champions

1x High-School Excellence

1x Middle-School Excellence 

 

Hotel Discounts:

We have parterned with Team Travel Source for hotel blocks and discounts.

https://www.teamtravelsource.com/sport_lander/ignite-the-northwest/

 

Local Attractions:

Barely a stone's throw away from Seattle, Redmond offers a mix of attractions sure to inspire, educate, and entertain. Perfect for students, parents, and teams alike, our handpicked selection of local attractions seamlessly blends tech wizardry, awe-inspiring nature, and adrenaline-packed adventure. Let's explore what awaits:

  • Dive into the fascinating world of technology at the Microsoft Headquarters! Embark on an immersive journey through the Microsoft Visitor Center and Museum. Be prepared to marvel at the interplay of technology and innovation.

  • Gaze upon Seattle's skyline from the iconic Space Needle, then explore the transformed waterfront, immerse yourself in the bustling Pike Place Market and stand in awe of the majestic Great Wheel. It's an urban adventure that can't be missed.

  • The Museum of Flight, a mere half-hour drive from Redmond, offers an unparalleled journey through the annals of aviation history. From vintage planes to space-age rockets, there's something to captivate everyone's imagination.

  • Gear up for an exhilarating tour of the Boeing Factory! Witness firsthand where aviation marvels are born and take flight. From conception to completion, this is your chance to delve into the inner workings of one of the world's leading aerospace companies. Hurry though, spaces fill up fast!

  • Stroll through the scenic University of Washington, Seattle Campus. On a clear day, you'll be treated to magnificent vistas of Mt. Rainier, providing a perfect backdrop to the university's impressive architecture.

  • For the thrill-seekers among you, the powder-laden slopes of Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain, or Snoqualmie Pass are calling. Experience the unrivaled snow conditions that make skiing in the Pacific Northwest an unforgettable adventure.

Get ready to unlock the limitless potential of your Redmond visit !


Grade Level: All

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: Remote Engineering Notebooks

Event Dates & Locations

Date: 13-Jan-2024 - 15-Jan-2024

Venue/Location:
Microsoft Conference Center
16070 Northeast 36th Way
Redmond, Washington 98052
United States

Contact the Event Partner

You must login to contact this Event Partner

Code of Conduct

The REC Foundation considers the positive, respectful, and ethical conduct of teams to be an essential component of the competition. Participants are expected to behave in a respectful and professional manner, and to operate as student-centered teams with limited adult assistance. This includes all students, teachers, coaches, mentors, parents, and spectators associated with a team.

For more details, please refer to the REC Foundation Code of Conduct and Student-Centered Policy. If you have concerns about compliance with the Code of Conduct, please speak to the Event Partner during the event.

Agenda

The agenda is tentative to change. Check back often to make sure you are updated!

Last Updated: Jan 7th, 2024

All teams will have 1 practice match and 9 qualification matches.

SATURDAY, Jan - 13
10:00 am - Doors Open, Check-in
10:30 am - Inspection Starts, Skills Open
Lunch throughout the day
12:15 pm - Driver's Meeting & Opening Ceremony
12:50 pm - Inspection Closes
1:00 pm - Practice Matches Start
2:20 pm - Practice Matches End
2:35 pm - Qualification Match Start
5:00 pm - Qualification Matches End
6:00 pm - Doors Close

SUNDAY, Jan - 14
7:30 am - Doors Open
8:15 am - Qualifications Start, Skills and Judging Open
12:00 pm - Lunch Break
1:30 pm - Qualifications Resume
5:00 pm - Qualifications Finish for the day
6:00 pm - Doors Close

MONDAY, Jan - 15
7:30 am - Doors Open
8:15 am - Qualifications resume
10:15 am - Qualifications finish and skills close
10:30 am - Alliance selection
11:00 am - Lunch break
12:30 pm - Eliminations begin
2:00 pm - Division finals 
2:40 pm - Transition to overall finals
2:50 pm - Overall finals start
3:30 pm - Awards & Closing Ceremony
4:15 pm - Cleanup!
5:00 pm - Doors Close

Volunteer

Interested in joining the team?  We are always looking for volunteers to join the crew to help with inspections, run skills, reset fields, or help with match queuing! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AA9AA2AA3FDC61-44562704-ignite#/

Volunteers will get a T-Shirt, snacks, and free lunch for each day they volunteer for.

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

In the event of extreme weather and the relavant local and state agencies has deemed activities unsafe, we will cancel the event or change the agenda to account for any lost days. Due to fixed costs for this Signature event, any refunds will be allocated after all event expenses have been taken care of.

Refund and Payment Policies

Refunds will only be issued if the event is cancelled due to weather or health-related orders from the relevant local and state agencies for Redmond, WA. Due to fixed costs for this Signature event, any refunds will be allocated after all event expenses have been taken care of.

If the Event Partner cancels the event: 

Refunds will be given to teams per the above statement.

If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event then chooses to withdraw or not attend:

If the refund order is sent to the Event Partner 10 weeks (Friday, Nov 3rd, 2023) before the event, then the team will be given a full refund. Otherwise, no refund will be given.

Date: 13-Jan-2024 - 15-Jan-2024
Microsoft Conference Center
16070 Northeast 36th Way
Redmond, Washington 98052
United States

Travel Info

Venue Location

The Venue for the event is the Microsoft Conference Center

Microsoft Building 33

16070 NE 36th Way, Redmond, WA 98052

 

Parking

Parking can be found on-site.

 

Hotels

We strongly recommend booking with us, we have arranged for group-discount codes with local hotels.

We have parterned with Team Travel Source for hotel blocks and discounts. 

https://www.teamtravelsource.com/sport_lander/ignite-the-northwest/

Webcast

We will be livestreaming our event! Check back here soon with the link.

Judging Format

Digital Engineering Notebook Submissions / In Person Team Interviews: Team interviews will be conducted in-person at the event. Engineering notebooks will be submitted digitally for evaluation via a link found within the "My Account" panel of the team contact on RobotEvents. A submission deadline that may be scheduled ahead of the event date. Engineering Notebooks are due January 6th at 11:59pm. 

Signature Event Early Bird Policy

  • All Signature Events will have a specific Early Bird Registration that is independent of all local/regional Early Bird systems
    • Each team starts the season with three (3) opportunities to register during the Signature Event Early-Bird period
      • An opportunity is taken away each time the team registers for a Signature Event, whether during the Signature Event Early-Bird period or Standard period
      • A Signature Event Early-Bird opportunity is not taken away if a team registers for a tournament hosted by their school or organization (where the team’s coach is the Event Partner)
    • Early Bird Registration will open 16 weeks before the event at 12:00PM EST
      • Note: Modifications to this may be made for events in August and September
    • Standard Registration will open 14 weeks before the event at 12:00PM EST
    • An Event Partner may register their own teams to their Signature Event during Signature Event Early Bird Registration no matter how many other Signature Events they are already registered for  
      • The Event Partner must be the Primary Contact for the teams they are registering

Payment

Payment is due 2 weeks after the team registers. Otherwise, teams will be moved to the waitlist.