TAPPS member schools are eligible to participate in the annual TAPPS contest.
TAPPS does not require a school to compete in the FIRST in Texas FTC competition, but the school must be registered with FIRST headquarters.
If tournament entries allow, a school may enter more than one team as determined by TAPPS leadership.
TAPPS Requirements
Schools shall register for the event through the TAPPS defined entry process
Schools should be in compliance in the TAPPS Management System
Robotics Selected as an activity
School personnel - coaches and sponsors have completed the required steps
Team(s) should be created in TMS
Student eligibility rosters should be completed in TMS
There will be a fee charged for entry into the event as published on the TAPPS website and due at the time of competition.
Student Participation
Participating students must be full time day students at the TAPPS member school
Students must be in good academic standing at the TAPPS member school
Students must be registered and compliant in the TAPPS Management System (TMS).
Students not yet in High School may participate in accordance with TAPPS Fine Art governance
FIRST Registration
Teams must be registered with FIRST in Texas for the current competition season
Teams do not have to compete in a FIRST event to participate in the TAPPS competition
TAPPS reserves the right to allow unregistered teams on the basis of appeal and consideration by TAPPS leadership
Robot Specifications
TAPPS competition shall focus on the FTC challenge for the current school year as presented by FIRST.
Robots must adhere to the specifications and requirements as published for the current school year by FIRST in Texas in theCompetition Manual.
Team Portfolio
Teams are required to present a portfolio for review during judge interviews
Teams shall prepare a portfolio detailing their build and season as required by the current school year rules published by FIRST in Texas.
Team Presentation to the Judges
Teams shall participate in the judge interviews on the day of the contest
The individual team shall determine who represents the team in the interviews
Ten minutes of interview time is allotted per team.
5 minutes of presentation by the team
5 minutes of Q&A from the judges
Team Pit Areas
Teams are encouraged to decorate their pit areas in a manner representing the contest and their robot
Teams will be given a 10’ x 10’ area for their pit. Electrical outlets will be available. If applicable, teams from the same school will be placed next to each other.
Awards will be given for “Tech Haven”
Team Video
Teams will submit a short video that contains the elements shown below. The videos will be played during the morning in advance of the first round of play and possibly during awards.
The video elements shall include the following:
Team Number
Team Name
School Name
Introduction of
Teacher / Sponsor
Introduction of Team Members
Team Sponsors
Video specs
Video shall be between no longer than 30 seconds
File shall be submitted in a mp4 format in advance of the contest date
Team / Team Member Conduct
Teams and team members shall act in a manner consistent with the TAPPS motto - “Competition with Honor”.
Teams and team members shall act in a manner consistent with the governance and expectations expressed in the current year rules presented by FIRST.
Awards
TAPPS shall present a variety of awards at the conclusion of the contest
Team should plan to attend the awards ceremony if possible