Trial Day
Saturday, March 31, 2018, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Heskett Center, WSU
On Trial Day, the Missions will be set up in the Heskett Center gymnasium so that teams can practice with their robots from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. There will be some tables and chairs available, but there may not be enough for every team. Shocker MINDSTORMS Coordinators will be available to answer Mission questions. No laptops will be available for checkout or use. If teams want to be able to program on that day they will need to furnish their own computer, software, equipment, and extension cords/power strips.
On Trial Day, each team will have the opportunity to ask detailed questions about the Missions and visit with the Mission designers. Teams will also have time to test their robots on each course and make modifications to their designs and programs as needed. MINDSTORMS robots are meant to be autonomous and should react to their environment. For example, if the tape is not in the exact position as noted, the robot should not be affected. Also, note that there is a 1/8" tolerance on the building of all competition courses.
You may NOT bring food and drink to the Heskett Center gymnasium. You may bring food and drink outside the gym (in the hallway or lobby area).
WSU Shocker MINDSTORMS T-Shirt Sales
If you would like to purchase a WSU Shocker MINDSTORMS T-shirt, they will be on sale
on Trial Day. They will also be available for purchase on Competition Day on a first-come
basis.
To help judges, coaches and teams better prepare for the Challenges, the following
presentations are tentatively scheduled for Trial Day. Check back for updates.
9:00 am - 10:00 am, Room 105, Heskett Center
Judges' Training - an Overview of the Challenge and Missions
Presented by Eric D. Mead, ASQ Fellow, Textron Aviation
As Chief Judge of the Shocker MINDSTORMS competition, Eric works with coaches and
volunteers as they design and build the courses. He will provide judges with an overview
of this year's Missions and scoring, as well as answer questions they may have. Don't
miss this training!
10:30 am - 11:00 am: How to Improve Your Shocker MINDSTORMS Presentation, Room 207, Heskett Center
Presented by Kara McCluskey, PE, Engineering Educator, WSU College of Engineering
11:00 am - 11:30 am: Overview and Q&A Session for Team Display, Room 105, Heskett Center
Presented by Randy Brill, GKN Aerospace, MINDSTORMS Course Designer and Builder,
MINDSTORMS coach
11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Overview and Q&A Session for Team Notebook, Room 207, Heskett
Center
Presented by Dr. Rena Hixon, Instructor, WSU College of Engineering, and long-time Shocker MINDSTORMS coach
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm: Overview and Q&A for Team Interview, Room 105, Heskett Center
Presented by Polly Basore Wenzel, Strategic Communications and K-12 Outreach Officer,
WSU College of Engineering