Host a K-12 Robotics Competition at Your University
Host a robotics competition on campus, and K-12 students spend the day competing in your space. Your university already has the room and the people. TEAM Alliance brings the competition equipment, the guidance, and staff support.
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TEAM Alliance
Why your university is a good venue
Universities and colleges are among the venues TEAM Alliance works with, alongside schools, libraries, and community centers. Whoever coordinates on your side needs no robotics background because Sphero competitions are turnkey events, with TEAM Alliance providing the little training and background that is needed.
Campuses host for different reasons:
- A K-12 or STEM outreach office can add a ready-made event to its STEM outreach programs.
- Admissions and recruitment staff can bring K-12 students and their families onto campus for the event.
- Facilities or event services can put an open gym or event hall to use.
- College students in a student organization can run it as a fundraiser or a service project.
Hosting a robotics competition at a college works the same way as at a university. A campus host provides the space and one person to coordinate with our team. TEAM Alliance handles the parts that need robotics expertise.
Every program is Student-Powered™, so students lead the work while adults guide and support them.
What hosting costs your university
Hosting starts with your space, a coordinator’s time, and volunteers for event day. Through the Event Host Support Package, TEAM Alliance and Sphero provide the materials an event needs.
The event can also help a student organization or department budget. You receive the teams’ registration fees, which offset the cost of running the event and support your program. Local businesses can sponsor the day, and concessions bring in more while the crowd cheers on the teams.
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Access Event Host Support Packages!
Signage
A TEAM Alliance banner for display and event information.
Team Recognition
Medals and trophies for the winning teams.
Fields
Access to free Sphero Competition Fields and Sphero Competition Game and Field Elements.
Swag
TEAM Alliance and Sphero swag to hand out to the teams.
What the event day looks like
TEAM Alliance staff support you from planning through the event itself, and your volunteers get TEAM Alliance’s volunteer guides. If your campus is short on volunteers, TEAM Alliance can send its own support team to help run the event alongside you.
The shape of the day, from check-in to awards, depends on your event’s format and size. If you want specifics before committing, contact us and we will walk you through what a day on your campus would look like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a student organization host, or does it have to be the university?
Either one can. The event host is the group named as the point of contact for the event, with access to the space. On a campus that can be a department, an outreach office, or a student organization that can book the room for the day.
Can our college students volunteer at the event?
Yes. The Code of Conduct applies to everyone at the event, volunteers included. Every adult volunteer is required to follow the Youth Protection Policy, which sets expectations for supervision, physical contact, and private communication with students.
Do our campus rules for programs with minors still apply?
Yes. The Youth Protection Policy requires every adult to follow the event host’s own youth protection requirements as well, such as background checks or other screenings. Your campus sets those rules. The full Youth Protection Policy is published, so your compliance office can review it before you commit.
Which students compete at an event we host?
Students from TEAM Alliance’s four programs, grouped into divisions by each student’s age as of August 31 of the season: indi Missions for students under 9 (U9), BOLT Missions under 12 (U12), RVR Missions under 15 (U15), and the Blueprint Robotics Competition under 19 (U19). Which divisions compete at your event is something you plan with TEAM Alliance.
How do we report a concern during the event?
Tell the event host or TEAM Alliance staff right away, or email youthprotection@teamalliance.org. If a student may be in immediate danger, or the law requires it, contact local law enforcement. The person reporting should not try to investigate or intervene directly. TEAM Alliance reviews every report promptly.
Ready to host a robotics competition at your university?
Apply to host, and TEAM Alliance’s staff will plan the event with you so K-12 students can compete on your campus. Still deciding? Talk to us first.