Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate?

Unified Robotics brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together. Teams include equal numbers of both. Four to six students is a typical team size, not a requirement. Contact us about any age, grade, or eligibility questions before making event plans.

What if I am new to robotics?

Start with a manageable activity and learn alongside your students. The equipment checklist and sample practice plan can help you begin. Use the starting-a-team form to ask questions about your school’s next steps.

How much should we budget?

Begin with the equipment your school already has. Check current supplier prices for anything missing, including robot equipment, game elements, and practice-field access. Also consider devices, charging, replacement parts, transportation, and any fees confirmed by your event organizer. Contact us before purchasing if you need help checking equipment.

How long does starting a team take?

Your timeline depends on school arrangements, equipment availability, student needs, and event dates. Confirm those details first, then plan practices at a pace that works for your team. The four-week plan is an example you can adapt.

How do we register?

The starting-a-team form lets you introduce your school and ask for guidance. It does not confirm an event place. Check the Events page, then confirm the registration process, deadline, any fee, and required documents with the organizer.

What should adults do?

Adults organize, teach, encourage, and provide participation support. Students make decisions and design, build, code, and drive. Use prompts, demonstrations, and accessible activities to help students retain ownership of their work.

Does every student need the same role?

Give every student meaningful opportunities to contribute and try different responsibilities. Ask about their interests, provide appropriate support, and revisit roles as the team learns. Avoid assigning permanent roles based only on disability or previous experience.

Do we need an engineering notebook?

Recording ideas, tests, changes, and students’ contributions helps the team learn. An engineering notebook is one way to do this. Check the team resources for guidance, and ask your event organizer whether a notebook must be submitted.

The notebook may be physical or digital; digital submissions should be PDFs. Read the engineering notebook guidelines.

Do students need autonomous code for teamwork matches?

This season’s Unified Robotics teamwork matches are driver-controlled. Autonomous coding appears in optional Robot Skills Matches. Check the current Unified Robotics game manual and ask the organizer which skills activities are available.

Who can help with access or participation needs?

Discuss practice supports with your school team and event arrangements with the organizer in advance. At an event, ask the organizer or referee when you need help. The current game manual explains how participation support can be provided.

How can I join or form a team?

Contact us about starting or joining a team. We can help you connect with the program and plan next steps for your school.

What are the opportunities for volunteering?

Unified Robotics offers numerous opportunities for volunteering, including roles as coaches or mentors. Volunteers can help guide and support teams, sharing their knowledge and expertise to inspire and empower students.

What are the game rules for the competition?

The 2026–27 game is Level Up — Unified Edition. Two teams work together to score bean bags in goals and earn one combined score. Teamwork matches have two minutes of driver-controlled play, with a five-second pause halfway through to switch drivers. There is no autonomous period in teamwork matches. Read the 2026–27 game manual for rules, scoring, and accommodations.

What types of awards are given in the competition?

Unified Robotics celebrates achievement, inclusion, and teamwork. Competition recognition includes the Champion’s Award for first place, plus Second Place and Third Place awards. Additional awards recognize collaboration, creative design, community impact, and inclusive participation.

What optional Robot Skills challenges are available?

Optional Robot Skills Matches include 60-second Driving Skills and 60-second Autonomous Coding Skills challenges using a physical robot. Skills scores do not affect Teamwork Match rankings. Events may offer one or both types; check with the event organizer for availability.