DIVE
Into the Deep
The FIRST Tech Challenge Chesapeake District Championship brings together the highest performing teams from across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., for an exciting weekend of competition, innovation, and teamwork. This championship event celebrates the hard work and dedication of our community and students in the FTC robotics program. Get ready for a thrilling experience filled with “coopertition”, problem-solving, collaboration, and gracious professionalism!
PRESENTED BY
The Teams
Event Schedule
Saturday, February 8, 2025
07:00 AM
Pit area opens
08:00 AM
Judging begins - Assigned time slots available at Pit Admin
08:15 AM
Robot and Field inspections begin. Practice fields open
10:00 AM
Drivers' Meeting
10:30 AM
Opening Ceremony
11:00 AM
Qualification Matches
12:30 PM
Lunch Break
01:00 PM
Qualification Matches resume
03:30 PM
Alliance selection begins
04:00 PM
Divisional Playoff matches begin. Practice fields close
5:15 PM
Finals, Closing and Award Ceremony
Load-In and Setup
Teams should use the main entrance to bring in robots and equipment. Ensure your pit area follows FTC guidelines and remains clean and safe throughout the event. Team Check-In must be completed by 9am on competition day and coaches must bring a copy of their FIRST Dashboard team roster to be collected at Check-In. Teams will receive their Drive Team Buttons upon Check-In and are expected to turn them in when they leave the competition.
Team Information
Robot & Field Inspection
All teams must complete both robot and field inspections before participating in matches. Make sure your robot complies with all FIRST Tech Challenge rules, including size, weight, and connectivity requirements. Match schedules will be created at 9am regardless of inspection status. Teams not ready should have a human player be present during matches when their team is scheduled.
Judging Interviews
Each team will participate in a scheduled 15-minute judging session. Be prepared to discuss your engineering design process, outreach efforts, and team dynamics. Portfolios are to be turned in at Pit Admin by 7:40am if one is being submitted.
Alliance Selection & Playoffs
The 6 top-ranked teams in each division will have the opportunity to form alliances for the playoff rounds. Be strategic in your selections and form strong partnerships for the final matches. Five teams (subject to change) will advance to the World Championship in Houston, April 16-19, 2025.
Concessions & Team Lunches
Parking
Teams, volunteers, and visitors may use the parking at Wheaton and Thomas Edison High schools. Overflow parking is available on the streets near the school or at the public pool located behind Wheaton High School.
Quiet Room
A quiet room will be available at the event in room 1601. A Quiet Room provides students, mentors and volunteers a safe place during the competition to get away from the common competition stressors of noise and motion.
Safety Guidelines
General Safety Rules
Safety is our top priority! Please adhere to the following guidelines:
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Safety Glasses Required: Must be worn in the pit and field areas at all times.
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Closed-Toe Shoes: Required for all participants and volunteers.
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Pit Space Safety: Keep your workspace organized and free of hazards. Be mindful of power cords. Do not daisy chain power sources. Be careful to not accidentally turn power trips to the off position. Please stay within the marked pit area assigned to your team and follow all the event rules in the FTC Competition Manual.
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Battery Handling: Follow proper charging and storage procedures to avoid risks.
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Emergency Exits: Familiarize yourself with venue exits in case of an emergency.
Health Considerations
We are committed to providing a safe environment for all attendees. Please follow any updated health and safety protocols as provided by the venue and event organizers. If you are sick, please stay home.
