LOAD IN:

Please bring your dollies/robot carts to expedite your load-in.  Per the Event Rules designed for your safety, please do not bring large compressed air tanks. For any questions on what to bring to inspection, please see Inspection and Eligibility Rules. Please ensure that all of your items fit in your designated pit area that is 10’x10′. 

DETAILS:

The driveway passes campus pedestrian areas – PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY. This driveway is only open to vehicles during the load-in times noted above. The path is not a loop, so vehicles may need to wait on 10th Street for their turn to drive. Please be respectful of the parking and event staff to load-in your items as efficient and safely as possible.

Space at the dock is limited, so you must drop off your stuff and move your car before loading in your items. Up to 5 team reps (includes 1 adult) will be allowed in the pit area to setup. Please keep your safety glasses handy, as you will need them to enter the pit area.

No outside food or drinks are allowed.  However, you may bring in a case of water per team at load in only.  After that, no outside food or drinks, including water, are permitted in the Event Center.

Food for purchase is available at the concessions inside the Event Center.  There are restaurants a short walk from the Event Center on and around the the San Jose State University campus.

FIRST Teams may pre-order box lunches, which will be delivered to the Event Center.  Deadline to submit lunch orders is Friday March 25th.

No outside food is permitted into the Event Center and bags are checked by security at the entrance.

Do I need a booster to be “fully vaccinated” for COVID-19?

Booster shots are NOT required by the U.S. Center for Disease Control to be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19.  You are fully COVID-19 vaccinated > 2 weeks after a 2-dose series OR > 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

What is needed to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination?

The following are acceptable as proof of vaccination (i) the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) vaccination card, which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered, or similar documentation issued by another foreign governmental jurisdiction, (ii) an electronic or printed photo of a vaccination card (iii) a personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California and available by going to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov or similar documentation issued by another State, local, or foreign governmental jurisdiction.

California residents may show your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, which is a QR code widely accepted in the State of California.

What type of COVID-19 test and result is needed in place of vaccination?

A COVID-19 test must be done within 1 day for an antigen test or within 2 days for a PCR test before entry to the event. Acceptable proof includes a printed document from a test provider or laboratory, OR an electronic test result displayed on a phone or other device from a test provider or laboratory.

Negative COVID-19 test information must include the person’s name, type of test performed, and negative test result. Self-attestation of an over-the-counter test will not be accepted, hence home COVID tests will NOT be accepted.

Is a COVID-19 test required each day of the event?

No, only ONE TEST RESULT is needed for the whole event.  You must present the negative test result upon your inital arrival to the event.  Please ensure that the results meet the criteria in the previous question and it is NOT a home test.

Do I need to show COVID vaccination proof onsite at the event or in advance?

All attendees (teams and volunteers) must also bring your proof of vaccination with you to the event in an electronic form (photo of card or state/country barcode) or paper format.  Adults are also required to show a photo ID with their vaccination proof.

If you are a volunteer, please DO NOT send vacccination or negative test proof to your Volunteer Coordinator, as volunteers will also provide vaccine or negative COVID-19 test proof upon arrival.

How do team members check-in?

One of the team’s lead mentor must bring 2 paper copies of their team roster, one for entry wristbands and another for pit admin.  To get an entry wristband, each person on the roster must show their proof of vaccination or negative test, plus adults must show a photo ID. 

Adult team lead mentors will NOT receive wristbands for their entire team, as each person’s vaccination or negative test must be verified individually by event staff. We appreciate your patience and Gracious Professionalism to get everyone into the venue timely. 

It is recommended that team members bring vaccine/test proof on Thursday to get their wristbands for the weekend to ease lines on Friday morning.

Must the whole team be present to enter the event?

No, all team members do not need to be present to enter the venue together.  However, a lead mentor must be the first to arrive onsite with the team roster that lists those who are permited to enter.  If team members arrive after the lead mentor, then they must check in at the entrance and staff will have the provided team roster to verify people individually.  

Is there a maximum number of team members and mentors who can attend?

Besides the designated hours for team load-in on Thursday evening and Friday morning, there will be no team member or mentor limit.  Team members and mentors will be permitted to attend ONLY if they are on the FIRST roster for the team, who is competing at the event. Please ensure your lead mentor invites all youth members and mentors from their FIRST dashboard.

What is the team pit size and will there be limited number of team members in pits?

Team pit size is 10’x10′. There will not be a team member limit in your pit. It is recommended that you self-regulate your pit and set up a team area in the stands.

Do I have to wear a face mask?

Yes, face masks are REQUIRED, even if the county/state does not require them.  As this is an international event, we will take a conservative approach to safety in this pandemic.  As such, masks are required for all attendees.

Masks must be worn while indoors except when actively eating or drinking.  Masks must also be worn properly with both the nose and mouth covered.

Can I wear a cloth mask?

Cloth masks, along with face shields, bandanas, single-layer gaiters and masks with exhalation valves are not recommended, but will be allowed if worn correctly, covering both the nose and mouth.

Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94) are recommended for each attendee.  Teams must bring an adequate supply of face masks for their members.

Will safety glasses be available to borrow at the event?

Teams (students and mentors) are required to bring their own personal safety glasses, as there will be NO on-site safety glasses to borrow. Each team should bring their own safety glass cleaning supplies; anti-fog spray is also recommended.

Safety glasses will be provided to event volunteers only.

Can we bring team food to the regional?

No outside food is permitted into the Event Center and bags are checked by security at the entrance. Food for purchase is available at the concessions, and there are restaurants a short walk from the Event Center.

Teams may pre-order box lunches, which will be delivered to the Event Center.  Deadline to submit lunch orders is Friday March 25th.

Are spectators allowed to come to the event?

Spectators are NOT PERMITTED to maximize the number of FIRST students to participate at the competition and maximize space for them to socially distance.

Attendees permitted are youth members, mentors and volunteers registered with FIRST to compete or volunteer at the 2022 Silicon Valley Regional.  Team Lead Mentors are responsible to bring a FIRST team roster, which will be checked to give team members entrance wristbands.

Can a team supporter/parent drop off students/food/supplies to the event for the team?

San Jose State University is an open campus, so team supporters may be outside only.  People not on the FIRST team roster will not receive a wristband to enter the Event Center.  

Is there a parking fee?

The Event Center is on the San Jose State University campus, which requires a fee to park on campus.  Recommended parking is at the 7th Street garage. Refer to the campus map under Team Resources.  Wherever you park in downtown NEVER leave valuables in your vehicle.

Is there trailer parking?

There is no designated overnight trailer parking, but trailers are permitted during the day at the 7th Street parking garage. Please park your trailer at your own risk and ensure that you have the trailer secure and wheels locked.

Welcome to the 2022 FIRST Robotics Competition Kick-Off of

RAPID REACT, presented by the Boeing Company!

Kick-off in the Silicon Valley is graciously hosted at Pioneer High School in San Jose on January 8, 2022.  This unique year there will be no broadcast, only a kit pickup.  See detailed email instrcutions that include a campus map and kit pickup times from your Kick-off Coordiantor.

Worldwide Broadcast

• Please watch with your team on your devices, in your own homes or build spaces.
• The preshow begins at 8:30am PT on FIRSTtv and the Kick-off broadcast begins at 9:00am PT.
• Note, some schools do not allow TwitchTV, so please check in advance.

Kit Distribution Information

• Make sure you print and bring your team rosters from your FIRST Dashboard. Only Lead mentors 1 and 2 have access to this document, but any adult with the team may check in.
• All teams must first register to receive their documents prior to obtaining their kit.
• Minors cannot sign for the kit, only an adult with a photo ID.
• You can choose to have a “Surrogate” team pick up your kit, if you provided a surrogate letter by January 3, 2022 per the FIRST Surrogate Kit Pick-up information.
• It is highly recommended to bring a small folding cart with you, to help transport your kit.