We are proud to announce the return of the BUC DAYS Robotics Rodeo in Corpus Christi, Texas on May 13, 2023. This event, brought to you by CITGO and the Buccaneers Commission, will be a full day robotics competition with amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico as part of the annual BUC DAYS celebration started back in 1938.

This year, we will be inviting 48 teams for the FIRST Tech Challenge using the Power Play game challenge. We will be inviting 24 teams for the FIRST LEGO League – Challenge for the Super Charged game.

We will be awarding $13,500 in cash prizes for the winners from generous sponsors. All prizes will be in the form of checks issued to the team organization or lead coach to support their team.

Special team planning information is provided here:

• There is no charge to attend this invitational. Teams are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. BUC DAYS will be providing lunch during event. Teams are encouraged to bring their own snacks and beverages.
• Preference will be given in this order: Teams from Corpus Christi, then from Texas, and then all other teams that are participating in the current season.
• This is part of a community festival that attracts more than 120,000 people. Please have a team safety plan.

Teams needing hotels are encouraged to reach out to us via email as we will be securing group rates at local hotels for those attending.

Agenda: (submit to modification as required – Updated May 7th)

9:00am – 10:00am – Load-in and Registration (FLL/FTC)
9:00AM – 10:15AM – Inspection (FTC)
10:00am – 11:45 – Team Activities (FLL)
10:30AM – Drivers Safety Meeting (FTC)
11:00 AM – Matches Start (FTC)
12:00pm – 12:30pm Lunch (Provided by Buc Days)
12:30pm – FLL Matches Start/ FTC Matches Continue
5:30pm – Awards Ceremony (FLL & FTC)
6:00pm – Load-Out (End of Event)

Special Event Rules:  FLL/FTC Teams may be comprised of existing and potential members of your team. FLL/FTC Team members must be listed on a roster that indicates their age and any school affiliation. Any team on a roster (participating) must be of proper program age for Texas team. Any participant or attending adult must have a completed FIRST in Texas Consent and Release Form on file from 2022 – 2023. Pits are CLOSED to guests. Any adult accessing the pits or volunteering at this event will be required to complete a Raptor screening (just as is used in most public schools).

Awards:

FIRST Tech Challenge Awards: (Awards Below are for FIRST Tech Challenge Only)

Best Costume Award – 1st Place: The theme for the event is “Pirates / Buccaneers”. Come celebrate a PowerPlay pirate event by dressing up your team mates and even your robot. Let’s keep it all age appropriate and ensure any costumes do not create safety concerns for our participants and even our robots. $750.00

Best Costume Award – 2nd Place: $250.00

Gracious Professional Award:  We will have judges onsite walking around taking to teams about their robot, journey in FIRST and watching all the participants. Keep your GP front and center for a chance to win this very special award. $750.00 (x3)

Team Spirit Award: Come make it loud and Texas proud! The team that shows the most spirit and demonstrates the most spirit will win this award! $750.00 (2)

Winning Robot Captain:  This award is given to the team that wins the tournament (Winning Alliance Captain) $1,500

Winning Robot Alliance Member:  This award is given to the 1st and 2nd Alliance pick of the Winning Alliance. $750.00 (x2)

Finalist Robot Captain:  This award is given to the team that is the finalist captain at the tournament (Finalist Alliance Captain) $1,250

Finalist Robot Alliance Member: This award is given to the 1st and 2nd Alliance pick of the Finalist Alliance. $500.00 (x2)

FIRST LEGO League – Challenge Awards:  (Awards below are for FLL-C Only)

Winning Robot Performance: This award is given to the best performing robotics team. $1000.00

Finalist Robot Performance 1: This award is given to the second highest robot performing robotics team: $750.00

Finalist Robot Performance 2: This award is given to the third highest robot performing robotics team: $500.00

Team Spirit Award: Come make it loud and Texas proud! The team that shows the most spirit and demonstrates the most spirit will win this award! $500.00

Best Costume Award: The theme for the event is “Pirates / Buccaneers”. Come celebrate a PowerPlay pirate event by dressing up your team mates and even your robot. Let’s keep it all age appropriate and ensure any costumes do not create safety concerns for our participants and even our robots. $250.00

Core Values Award: Teams will be presented with a Core Value activity and the judges will decide. It is important to not just know the FIRST Core Values, but how to use it in daily life! $250.00 (x2)

Safety:  Teams are expected and required to adhere to all normal FIRST in Texas safety regulations during this event. No open toe/heel shoes, no crocs, secure any long hair or jewelry, and wear safety glasses while competing and in the pits. There will be no power tools or metal grinding permitted at this event as we will be on carpet. Teams are expected to have a team safety plan and immediately report any unsafe or suspicious behavior immediately.

The following teams have confirmed their invitation:

FIRST Tech Challenge: 12302 15725 16828 16831 16832 4902 12202 9923 6901 10862 13266 18458 11924 18908 17594 15221 13744 15654 19746 12359 15703 16556 19412 17229 16597 13109 16377 16458 18738 17329 5188 21352 13893 16555 13833 5243 21386 18738 21879 12928 20745 17778 12977

FIRST LEGO League – Challenge: 2097 4096 21420 21834 25128 25129 39883 43316 43514 43515 43669 43670 51005 51880 51881 59019 59222 59603 59807 59808

UPDATED:  May 3, 2023