General Info
General Info
General Information
Welcome to the Downey Unified School District Middle School VEX V5 Robotics Competition!
This event is open to middle school teams only and is proudly hosted by Downey Unified School District. Proceeds from the tournament directly support DUSD robotics programs and help us continue providing high-quality competitions for teams throughout Southern California.
Our goal is to create a professional, welcoming, and student-centered event where teams can compete, learn, collaborate, and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Thank you for supporting educational robotics and STEM opportunities for students.
Competition Facilities
The event will include:
Two competition fields
One dedicated Skills Challenge field
One full practice field
Both Driving Skills and Programming Skills will be available to all registered teams.
Engineering Notebooks
Engineering notebooks must be submitted digitally through RobotEvents no later than:
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Late submissions cannot be accepted. Physical engineering notebooks will not be accepted at the event.
Payment
Payment in full is required by:
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Teams that have not paid by the deadline may be removed from the event at the Event Partner’s discretion so that teams on the waitlist may be invited.
Organizations paying by purchase order should notify the Event Partner once the purchase order has been submitted to the REC Foundation so the team’s payment status can be tracked.
Team Limit
A maximum of six teams per school or organization may register for this event.
When the event reaches capacity, additional teams should join the waitlist. Teams may be invited from the waitlist as space becomes available.
Food and Concessions
A team meal plan will not be offered.
A concession stand will be available with prepackaged snacks, beverages, and other items. There are also many restaurants and food options located throughout the Downey community near the campus.
Parking
On-site parking is free for all teams, volunteers, and spectators. Please follow posted signs and event staff directions when entering the campus.
Late Arrivals
All teams must be checked in at least 45 minutes before qualification matches begin so the official match schedule can be finalized and printed.
Teams that are running late must contact the Event Partner as soon as possible. Teams that have not checked in and have not contacted the Event Partner may be removed from the event roster.
Event Contact
Questions may be directed to:
Tri Tansopalucks
[email protected]
We look forward to welcoming you to Downey for a fun, competitive, and inspiring day of robotics!
- Venue
- Mary R. Stauffer Middle School
- Address
- 11985 Old River School Road, Downey, California 90242, United States
- Dates
- November 7, 2026
- Grade Level
- Middle School
- Skills Challenge
- Yes
- Judging Format
- Remote Engineering Notebooks
Registration & Logistics
- Event Type
- Open Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control
- VEXNet Field Control
- Capacity
- 36
- Spots Open
- 0
- Event Region
- California - Region 4
- Max Registrations per Org
- 6
- Priority Registration Opens
- 31-Aug-2026 12:00 EDT
- Standard Registration Opens
- 14-Sep-2026 12:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 23-Oct-2026 12:00 EDT
- Payment Deadline
- October 24, 2026
- Price
- $200.00
Agenda
Event Agenda
Time Activity 7:15 AM Doors Open & Practice Fields Open 7:30 AM Robot Inspection Begins 8:45 AM Drivers & Coaches Meeting 9:00 AM Opening Ceremony 9:15 AM Qualification Matches Begin & Robot Skills Fields Open 12:00 PM Lunch Break 12:45 PM Qualification Matches Resume 2:30 PM Alliance Selection 3:00 PM Elimination Finals Begin 4:45 PM Awards Ceremony 5:00 PM Team Load-Out & Venue Cleanup 5:15 PM Event ConcludesPlease Note: This schedule is subject to change based on the pace of the competition. Teams should listen for announcements throughout the day and be prepared to report promptly when called.
Stream
https://www.youtube.com/@stauffervideoproduction5954/streams
Webcast Webcast Can’t join us in person? Cheer on the teams and follow all the action from home! Watch the Stauffer Challenge November Tournament – Middle School Division live on the Stauffer Video Production YouTube channel: Watch the Live Webcast The livestream will begin when competition matches get underway. Match times may vary throughout the day, so check the event schedule and tune in early. Share the link with family and friends so they can support their favorite teams!
Travel Info
Date: 7-Nov-2026 Mary R. Stauffer Middle School 11985 Old River School Road Downey, California 90242 United States Travel Info Travel Information The event will be held at: Mary R. Stauffer Middle School 11985 Old River School Road Downey, CA 90242 Please enter the full school address into your preferred navigation app. Most teams will be commuting from throughout Southern California, so please allow additional travel time for normal Los Angeles-area traffic, especially during the morning arrival period. Parking and Unloading Event parking will be available on campus. Teams should follow posted signs and volunteer directions when entering the school. A designated unloading area will be available for robots, toolboxes, and other team equipment. After unloading, drivers may be directed to a separate parking area. Please do not leave vehicles unattended in loading zones or block fire lanes, gates, driveways, or neighboring properties. Additional parking, unloading, and campus-entry instructions will be shared with registered teams before the event. Arrival Recommendations Teams should plan to arrive early enough to: • Check in with event staff • Unload and set up their pit area • Complete robot inspection • Attend the Drivers and Coaches Meeting • Prepare for qualification matches Please review the event agenda before traveling and plan your departure time accordingly. Food and Nearby Services Downey and the surrounding communities offer a variety of restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and other services. Teams are encouraged to plan meals in advance and review the event’s food and concession information before arrival. Any policies regarding outside food will be listed separately on the event page. Travel Questions Questions regarding parking, unloading, or arrival procedures may be directed to the Event Partner: Tri Tansopalucks ttansopalucks@dusd.net
Judging Format
Judging Format Judging Format Digital Engineering Notebook Submission All engineering notebooks must be submitted digitally for judging. The team’s primary contact can submit the notebook using the submission link located in the “My Account” panel on VEX Events. Submission Deadline: Tuesday, November 3rd Teams are encouraged to submit their notebooks early to avoid any last-minute technical issues. Physical engineering notebooks will not be accepted at the event.
Volunteer
Volunteer Volunteers Volunteers are essential to the success of every VEX Robotics Competition, and we are always looking for enthusiastic individuals to help make this event a great experience for our students. We especially welcome volunteers interested in serving as Judges , but assistance is also appreciated in roles such as Field Reset, Inspection, Queueing, Check-In, and General Event Support. No prior VEX experience is required for many volunteer positions, and training will be provided as needed. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Event Partner: Tri Tansopalucks ttansopalucks@dusd.net Thank you for supporting robotics education and helping inspire the next generation of engineers, programmers, and problem solvers!
Emergency/Bad-Weather Policy
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy Emergency / Bad Weather Policy This event is scheduled to take place rain or shine and will only be canceled or significantly delayed if conditions create an unsafe environment for participants, volunteers, or spectators, or if Downey Unified School District closes the facility. In the event of severe weather, a natural disaster, a facility emergency, or other unforeseen circumstances, the Event Partner will communicate any schedule changes, delays, or cancellations through VEX Events and email as soon as possible. If an emergency occurs during the event, all attendees should follow the instructions of event staff, venue personnel, and emergency responders. Teams should remain with their coaches or designated adults until further instructions are provided. Every effort will be made to complete the tournament as scheduled while prioritizing the safety of all participants. For questions regarding emergency procedures or event status, please contact the Event Partner: Tri Tansopalucks ttansopalucks@dusd.net