3rd Annual Desert Ridge High School VA Sock HOP

Welcome to the Desert Ridge High School VA Sock Hop!

We are excited to welcome teams to the Desert Ridge High School VA Sock Hop! This will be a full, in-person robotics event with in-person judging, team interviews, and engineering notebooks.

Event Information

Doors Open / Check-In: 7:30 a.m.
Grade Levels: Middle School & High School
Solo Challenge Offered: Yes
Spectators: Welcome
Pits: Outside in the courtyard

Parking: Please park in the student parking lot across from the basketball and tennis courts, near the intersection of Guadalupe and Crimson.

There are currently 40 team slots available for this tournament.

Payment Deadline

Teams must pay by November 13. Teams that have not paid by the deadline will be moved to the waiting list.

Judging & Engineering Notebooks

Judging Format: In person

Team Interviews: Team interviews will be conducted in person at the event.

Engineering Notebooks: We will be using in-person engineering notebooks for judging. Teams should bring their printed engineering notebook with them to the event.

This is a blended Middle School and High School event. The current qualifying criteria will determine the number and distribution of judged awards.

🧦 VA Sock Drive Challenge

We are continuing our Sock Drive Challenge to support military members!

Challenge: Teams are encouraged to collect and bring as many NEW adult black socks in their original packaging as possible.

Prize: A prize will be awarded to the team/organization that collects the most socks.

Beneficiary: Bridging AZ

Last year, our robotics community donated more than 350 pairs of black socks! We would love to exceed that total this year.

What Teams Should Bring
Safety glasses
Spare robot parts and tools
Batteries and chargers
Power strip
Micro USB cable
Laptop computer
Printed engineering notebook
New adult black socks for the Sock Drive Challenge
Robot Firmware

Please make sure your robot brain and equipment have the latest firmware installed before arriving at the event.

Concessions & Food

Concessions will be available throughout the day.

Teams are also welcome to bring their own food. A designated eating area will be available outside the gymnasium.

Participant Release / Consent Forms

A completed participant consent form is required for all students, mentors, and coaches. Please make sure these are completed before the event.

Volunteers Needed!

We are always looking for volunteers to help make our events successful!

Parents, family members, alumni, and industry partners are encouraged to volunteer.

Ages 15+: Opportunities are available for Scoring Referee and other event roles.

Ages 20+: Judge opportunities are available.

If your team has a parent, mentor, or industry contact who would be willing to volunteer, please encourage them to complete the volunteer form.

Thank you for helping us provide a great experience for our students!

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Desert Ridge High School VA Sock Hop. Let's have a great day of robotics competition while supporting a wonderful cause through our VA Sock Drive Challenge!

Agenda**Subject To Change**:
7:30 AM Doors Open
7:45 AM Check-in
7:45 AM Volunteer meeting: solo, inspection
8:00 AM Inspection & field calibration opens
8:00 AM Solo open
8:45 AM Final call to begin the inspection process
8:50 AM Drivers meeting
9:00 AM Qualification matches begin
12:00 PM-1:00 PM Lunch: Qualification matches pause for lunch
1:00 PM Solo matches
1:15 PM Qualification matches resume
2:45 PM Solo closed
2:45 PM Qualification matches end
2:55 PM Alliance selection
3:15 PM - 5:00 PM Elimination tournament and awards ceremony

In Person for Notebook and Interview

Desert Ridge High School is located in East Mesa, near Guadalupe Road and Crismon Road.

Event Parking & Entrance

Parking: Please use the student parking lot across from the basketball and tennis courts.

From Guadalupe Road, turn onto Crismon Road and follow the signs for Desert Ridge High School and the robotics event.

Do not go to Desert Ridge Junior High School, which is located next to the high school. Please enter Desert Ridge High School — 10045 E. Madero Ave.

Doors Open / Team Check-In: 7:30 a.m.

Look for Robotics Event signs directing teams from the parking lot to the event entrance and pit area.

Pits: Outside in the courtyard.

Wendi Harden
480-326-9624
wendi.harden@gilbertschools.net
We will not be doing refunds

If teams have not paid by Nov 19, they will be moved to the waitlist;
No refunds will be given