The 10th annual Pittsburgh Regional FIRST Robotics Competition will take place this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 8-10, at the Petersen Events Center. The event is free and open to the public and family-friendly and will take place from 9am until 5pm each day.

Webcast and Match Videos

Match Schedule

Agenda

Parking Map

The competition is one of many regional events in the FIRST Robotics Competition. This marks the culmination of a six-week intensive build season in which teams of high school students have to design, construct, and program robots to compete in a game of which is not revealed until the season starts. This creates a challenge that models those dealt with by engineers every day, exposing students to the joys and frustrations of being an engineer. There are many other aspects to the program as well: students help to run the teams like small businesses on budgets of tens of thousands of dollars per year, and teams are also expected to connect with their communities. The highest award in FIRST, the Chairman’s Award, is given not for robot design or performance, but for spreading the messages and culture of FIRST to local communities and around the world.

More about the FIRST Robotics Competition

About the 2012 Game:

Rebound Rumble^SM is played by two competing Alliances on a flat, 27 x 54 foot field. Each Alliance consists of three robots. They compete to score as many basketballs into their hoops as they can during a 2 minute and 15 second match. The higher the hoop in which the basketball is scored, the more points the Alliance receives.

The match begins with a 15-second Hybrid Period in which robots operate independently of driver inputs. During this Hybrid Period, one robot on each Alliance may be controlled using a Microsoft Kinect. Baskets scored during this period are worth extra points. For the remainder of the match, drivers control robots and try to maximize their Alliance score by scoring as many baskets as possible.

The match ends with robots attempting to balance on bridges located at the middle of the field. In Qualification Matches, a robot from each Alliance will also try to balance on the white Coopertition^TM bridge to score additional ranking points for each Alliance.

Tomorrow we’ll resume our normal schedule. We are free and open to the public — come see how our students are inspired to be science and technology leaders!

Everyone here at the Petersen Events Center is safe. We’re keeping everyone inside the building so as not to hinder the police, who are still working to control the situation at Western Psych next door. Students are continuing to play practice rounds and work on their robots while we wait for the lockdown to be released. At this time we advise anyone headed in tonight to wait until they know for sure that it’s safe. Oakland traffic is backed up, and we certainly do not want anyone walking in. Meanwhile, the music is playing, the robots are running, and everyone is safe here at the Pete.

Hope to see you there!

Also from http://girlsofsteelrobotics.blogspot.com/
Just a reminder: The Girls of Steel will be hosting a Pittsburgh area Week Zero practice competition event this Saturday, Feb 18, from 11am to 3pm. This mini-competition will be officiated by Pittsburgh Regional referees and we’ll have awesome music! Collaboration between teams to finish our robots is highly encouraged and this is a fantastic opportunity for your drive team to get crucial practice in competition-like environment.

PLEASE RSVP BY 6:00pm TONIGHT by email to girlsofsteelrobotics@gmail.com and let us know your team plans on coming. We hope to see you there!

Posted by FRC Team 3504: Girls of Steel. February 15, 1:14 PM

March 8 – 10, 2012
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) – Pittsburgh Regional at Petersen Events Center

FRC Teams:  Ellis Armory Robotics Practice Field Open to ALL FRC Teams
Tuesdays 6pm-8:30pm and Saturdays 11am-3pm thru 2/25/12
If your robot isn’t ready, send your drivers (with an adult) – working robot chassis are available for practice.
Contact Terry Richards 412-215-4466 or richardst@theellisschool.org with any questions.
Hosted by The Ellis School and FIRST Team 3504 Girls of Steel

Ellis Armory Robotics Practice Field
Putnam St. (just off of Penn Ave.)
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Facilities:

• full practice field
• two working robot chassis
• internet access

Build Season Hours:

• Tuesdays 6:00-8:30pm
• Saturdays 11:00am-3:00pm

Contact Terry Richards 412-215-4466 or richardst@theellisschool.org.

Hosted by The Ellis School and FRC Team 3504 Girls of Steel

Announcement posters: poster 1  poster 2

Encrypted game manual now released – make sure to download a copy for Saturday!

If you can’t make it to your local kickoff, watch the broadcast online: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/robotics/

Kickoff Volunteers Needed:

• Registration
• Kits of Parts – set up
• Brainstorming Session leaders
• Crowd control (indoor)
• Robot Quick Build Session
• Field Elements transport (afternoon)

We’re expecting the largest Kickoff ever with 30 teams and over 300 participants! If you are able to volunteer, please contact Patricia DePra, Regional Director (pdepra@usfirst.org)

“FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs that build not only science and technology skills and interests, but also self-confidence, leadership, and life skills.”

Volunteer for:

• Field Repair/Reset
• Score Keep
• Referee
• Safety Advisor
• Robot Inspector
• Website Evaluator

All are welcome to join. Lend your talents and expertise, or volunteer and let us assign as needed.

For Questions or More Information Contact Us:
FirstPittsburghVolunteers@Gmail.com