SCOUT Teams
The SCOUT class is open to novice ROV teams in elementary through High School. SCOUT class ROVs are meant to be introductory projects enabling students to learn the fundamentals of ROV design and construction.
SCOUT class is most appropriate for:
- Upper Elementary School
- Middle School
- High Schools new to robotics
SCOUT teams participate in regional competitions ONLY.
For more information about SCOUT class eligibility, please visit our General Information document.
For information about this year's SCOUT class missions, please visit the SCOUT Missions page.
REGIONAL COMPETITION INFORMATION
Competition day for all classes: Saturday, April 28th, Northeastern Illinois University Physical Education Complex at 5500 North St. Louis Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Please note that all teams and spectators are only allowed use of the pool and gym areas. All other areas of the Physical Education Complex are off-limits.
Registration information:
- MULTIPLE VEHICLES ARE NOT PERMITTED. Companies are required to design and build ONE ROV that can complete the necessary product demonstration tasks.
- Only ONE registration total per school or organization. This means only ONE entry from each school/organization, NOT one for Ranger and one for Scout.
- Only middle school and high school teams can register for the competition.
- Registration will open on January 22nd, 2018.
- Registration will close on April 1st, 2018 or when all competition spots are full.
General Competition Information:
- All company members and their supporters are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner during the competition. Disrespectful behavior towards the judges, officials, pool staff, audience or other teams will lead to penalty points or disqualification.
- Lunch will be provided for company members (i.e. students) and up to two mentors per company. Lunch tickets will be disseminated at registration.
- During the competition, NO ADULTS (except for competition staff or volunteers) are allowed on the pool deck and speaking to any team from the pool viewing bleachers is prohibited. Violation of these will lead to penalty points or disqualification.
SCOUT class:
The 2018 Scout fee is $25.
Requirements:
- Safety check including Systems Integration Diagram (SID)
o The Systems Integration Diagram is due at the competition. It MUST be submitted to the safety judges in order to pass safety inspection and compete. The SID should be neatly hand drawn or created using a CAD software program. The diagram should not exceed one page in length and it MUST show an ROV system fuse.
o Adult company mentors may not participate in the safety check.
- Marketing display
o Companies should set up their marketing displays in the Northeastern Illinois University gym the morning of the competition.
- Product presentation
o Product presentations will be given by students (location TBD).
o Adult company mentors may observe the product presentation; however, they cannot participate.
- ROV Size Station
o All SCOUT ROVs will be checked for size limits prior to product demonstrations. Smaller ROVs will receive point bonuses. For more information, see the SCOUT competition manual.
- Product demonstrations
o Companies shall provide a crew up to four people on the pool deck to operate the ROV System. Adult company mentors are not allowed on the pool deck.
o Each company will have one or two product demonstration attempts. The number of attempts will be dependent on overall competition registration and will be announced one week before the competition when schedules are released.
o The Shedd Midwest ROV MATE Regional Competition will be offering all four Scout Class product demonstration tasks.
- Outreach and Inspiration
o This is a new portion of the competition this year. Outreach and Inspiration efforts will be reviewed by competition coordinators and awarded 0 to 10 bonus points. For more information regarding the requirements for points, see the SCOUT manual.
NOT Required:
- Technical report
- Company Spec Sheet
- Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
NOTE: By submitting any documentation, you are giving the MATE Center permission to publish these documents on its web site.
Competition setup:
On competition day, SCOUT companies will get one or two attempts (dependent on registration numbers) at the product demonstration. Each product demonstration time will consist of:
- 3 minute set-up period
- 10 minute product demonstration period
- 2 minute demobilization period
If you do get two attempts, the higher of the two product demonstration scores will be combined with the Engineering & Communication and Safety scores to determine the total, overall score for the competition.
An event schedule will be released the week before the competition. If companies have any time constraints that they wish the Shedd to consider, please contact the Underwater Robotics program manager, Sadie Norwick at snorwick@sheddaquarium.org by April 1st, 2018.
Operational:
The 2018 Shedd Midwest MATE ROV Regional competition will require exclusively Anderson Powerpole connections for all classes. All provided power supplies will only accommodate Anderson Powerpole connections.
Pool: The pool has a flat bottom. The depth for the SCOUT class product demonstrations is approximately 2.2 meters.
Product Demonstration Station: Product demonstration control stations will not have a table, chairs or video monitors. Each station will have access to a dedicated power supply.
Diver Support: Diver support will be available during the product demonstration runs, but any diver assistance will constitute a penalty.
PFDs: Companies are not required to wear PFDs at the pool edge. Shedd will NOT have PFDs available for use.
Power: SCOUT class companies will use either a dedicated power supply that will provide the nominal 12 volts or a 12 volt deep cycle marine battery. Onboard electrical power or power not provided by the tether, such as battery powered devices, is NOT allowed under any circumstance. Power supply connections will be Red/Black Anderson Powerpole Connectors. Companies’ ROV system power wires MUST have proper connectors to obtain power.
Shared equipment: If you are planning on sharing equipment (monitors, pressurized cylinders), please contact the Underwater Robotics program manager, Sadie Norwick at snorwick@sheddaquarium.org by April 1st, 2018.
Safety inspection:
SCOUT teams are expected to visit the safety inspection judges at the Safety Check Station during their designated time. SCOUT companies should have a copy of their SID available for safety checks. See the Vehicle Design & Building Specifications (1.2) in the SCOUT Competition Manual for more information.
Propellers must either be inside the ROV frame or shrouded. It is highly recommended that all propellers are shrouded, regardless of placement. ROVs that have propellers exposed will not pass the safety inspection and will not be allowed to compete. A shroud must completely encircle the propeller and extend at least 2 cm in front of and behind the propeller.
Companies that pass the safety inspection will be given a safety flag (or card). Companies must present the safety flag to the product demonstration station judge in order to compete in the pool. Companies that fail their safety inspection must address the issue and contact the safety judges to be re-inspected. Please note that only students may address the issues. Adult company mentors are NOT allowed to offer assistance.