Iowa Insanity 7th Annual Robotics Tournament (Engage)

Here are a few general rules to help you prepare for the day of the event:

1.  Review the game rules and run through the inspection checklist about a week before the competition so that there is ample time for adjustments. The inspection checklist can be found here. 

2. Check the official RECF forums for rule updates and changes. 

3. Carefully read all of the information contained in the tournament posting on roboticseducation.org

4. Pack for the event the day before the day of departure. Here are a few items that you don't want to forget. 

• Goggles/Safety Glasses 

• Spare parts & tools 

• Batteries and chargers 

• Programming cable 

• Power strip 

• Laptop computer 

• Engineering notebook uploaded to recfevents.org

• Banners and other decorations for your team pit 

• Giveaways if you have them 

5. Remember that safety comes first, please don't bring tools that pose a safety risk to your team, or others nearby as the venue is a very tight fit. Also, remember no grinding or other actions that create sparks. 

6. Understand how the game will be played. RECF participants are welcome to watch the referee training videos before they attend a tournament. 

7. Read through the Robot troubleshooting guide. 

Grade Level: All

Solo Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: Remote Engineering Notebooks

ere is the agenda to follow for the day. Remember, things can happen (technology not work, shortage of refs, volunteers) that can lead to adjustments to the schedule. The schedule is a guideline on how the tournament will look for the day if everything stays on time. 

7:00 am - Volunteers arrive 

7:30 am - Doors open to the public and coaches/teams 

7:30 am to 8:45 am - Event Check-In/Registration/Compliance Check 

9:00 am - Opening Ceremonies 

9:30 am to 12:00 pm - Matches/Solo Matches Start 

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - Lunch Break 

1:00 pm  Matches continue 

2:30 pm Solo Matches Closes 

3:30 pm - Alliance Selection/Finals/Awards 

5:00 pm - Venue Closes 

Digital Engineering Notebook Submissions

Engineering notebooks will be submitted digitally for evaluation through RECFevents. The submission deadline for the Engineering Notebook for this tournament will be January 2, 2027, in order to have time to review before our Event. 

In-Person Team Interviews:

Team interviews will be conducted in person at the event. Teams will have from the start of Qualification matches to the last Qualification match to meet with the judges to conduct their interviews. Judges will not run around pits to try and find teams as space is extremely loud and limited. If teams miss their interview, they will not be interviewed. We will try to run the process as efficiently as possible and notify teams if any changes need to be adjusted to the schedule. 

Travel Info

We will have concessions provided by Jacket Bands. As soon as we have concession lists and prices, we will email teams with what items will be sold. We will also attempt to get the Coffee truck to come back for the event as well. Stay tuned for emails. 

Parking maps and maps of the events will be emailed close to the event.

In the event of an emergency or bad weather, the event may be canceled. 

In any event, teams will be contacted as soon as possible with the information. The event partner will contact teams if the event must be postponed. Teams should make sure their contact information is up to date and includes both school and non-school phone numbers. 

Please check your email the day before and the morning of the tournament (before leaving). 

If the Event Partner cancels the event: 

Team contacts will be notified by email about how to receive a refund 

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

Teams must complete payment within two weeks of registering, if payment is completed and a team cannot make it no refund will be given.  

**If you have to cancel last minute please let us know in case we need to adjust the rosters or schedule.