FRC Northeast Utilities CT Regional: For Spectators
Not competing. Visiting a team? Just stopping by to check it out? This is for you!
About the FIRST Robotics Competition
The FIRST Robotics Competition is an exciting event that is part science fair, part sporting event, and part rock concert.
To make things exciting, every year FIRST creates a new game that generally includes a challenge unlike anything the teams have ever seen or experienced in previous years.
The 2010 FIRST Robotics Competition game was revealed to teams on January 9th. In this year's game, "Breakaway," two alliances of three teams will compete on a 27-by-54-foot field with bumps (think really big speed bumps), attempting to earn points by collecting soccer balls in goals. Additional bonus points can be earned for each robot suspended in the air (yes, you read that right - suspended in the air!) and not touching the field at the end of the match. Think of it as soccer, with a twist! Watch an animation of "Breakaway."
Speak the Language of FIRST
To help you with your visit, we have created a Spectator's Guide which includes a description of the "Breakway" game, and terms and expressions you will hear during the Northeast Utilities FIRST Connecticut Regional. Print a copy to study before you come to the Regional (we promise, no quizzes).
Schedule
| Day | Time | What's Going On? |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday April 1, 2010 |
8:30a-4:30p | Load-in and Practice Day Teams arrive in the morning, unpack their robots and set-up their pits (the area where they can work on their robot). All robots are inspected to ensure they meet the competition rules. Teams also have an opportunity to drive their robot and practice before the start of Qualification Matches on Friday. |
| Friday April 2, 2010 |
9:00a-5:00p | Competition Day 1 - Qualification Matches After opening ceremonies in the morning, teams get all fired up for a long full day of competition in Qualification Matches. The day ends with an award ceremony recognizing teams for various accomplishments. |
| Saturday April 3, 2010 |
9:00a-4:30p | Morning: Competition Day 2 - Qualification Matches Qualification Matches continue in the morning, as teams work to make it into the top eight. (The top eight teams get to pick their alliance partners for the afternoon's Elimination Matches.) Afternoon: Elimination Matches The teams will be whittled down to a smaller group of teams who will then be competing in a bracket elimination (think of the NCAA tournament brackets). Alliances must defeat their opponents twice in order to move on to the next level The day ends with an alliance of three teams being named Regional Champion at the afternoon's award ceremonies, and additional awards being presented. |
| Schedule subject to change. All times are estimated based on flow of rounds. Detailed schedule available. Please see Pit Administration table for updated times. |
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Location
The Northeast Utilities Connecticut Regional is being held in downtown Hartford at the Connecticut Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, April 2nd and 3rd. Directions to the Convention Center can be found here.
Parking
Parking is available in the Connecticut Convention Center parking garage, or at any of the near-by parking lots. To find a near-by parking lot, take a look at the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau's parking map. On the map, the Convention Center's parking garage is Number 17 and can be found on the far right side of the map, right near the Founders Bridge.
CT FIRST is Connecticut’s planning and operating organization for FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
