Code of Conduct
Also available as a PDF.
All are welcome to discover and enjoy the world of STEM at Blaze Robotics and Ignite Robotics. It is our mission to encourage and inspire kids to love what STEM has to offer.
We offer several community activities, including classes, camps, workshops, team meetings and competitions. Our events are intended to be inclusive, open, collaborative and enjoyable to all participants.
This Code of Conduct explains expectations for anyone participating in these events, including team members, students, guests and speakers, Blaze and Ignite staff and all others involved. It applies to physical events, as well as any online events such as video and voice calls, mailing lists and chat channels. The Code of Conduct spells out the types of behavior we support, and do not support.
Expected Behavior
It is expected that participants behave properly and positively at all times. Participants should show respect and courtesy to others and help ensure a safe and inclusive environment. The purpose of this expected behavior is to create a positive environment, promote respect, enhance productivity and learning, reduce conflict, and foster inclusivity.
The following describes this expected behavior:
Act with integrity, honesty, and reliability
Behave in a respectful and professional manner with event staff, volunteers, and fellow competitors
Exhibit maturity and restraint when dealing with difficult and stressful situations
Respect individual differences
Student-centered teams with limited adult assistance
Safety as a top priority
Good sportsmanship, which includes supporting fellow teams and competitors
Participate in an authentic and active way
Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
Attempt collaboration before conflict
Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech
Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow team mates. Alert Blaze or Ignite leaders or staff if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress or violations of this Code of Conduct.
Remember that our facility may be shared with members of the public; please be respectful to all patrons of this location.
Be respectful of other opinions even if you don’t share them
Be part of the solution to any issue not part of the problem
Be responsible for parts, tools and the cleanliness of your work space
All attendees should feel welcome and comfortable to participate fully, therefore we are committed to providing an environment free of the following unacceptable behaviors:
Discrimination of any kind.
Stealing of any kind, whether it be accessing parts from boxes or tables other than your own team, or taking tools and parts out of the facility without permission.
Harassment, including offensive speech, slights and negative messages, regardless of intent, based solely on appearance in person or on social media.
Misbehavior including disturbance to others or to event proceedings, misuse of property, trespass, theft or other antisocial acts.
Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.
Posting or displaying sexually explicit, violent or otherwise derogatory material.
Posting or threatening to post other people’s personally identifying information.
Inappropriate photography or recording
Inappropriate physical contact.
Sustained disruption of community events, including talks and presentations.
Disrespecting local expected behavior.
Advocating for, or encouraging any of the above behavior.
Consequences
Unacceptable behavior by any participant, student or guest will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.
Blaze and Ignite expect that breaches of this Code of Conduct can be resolved informally. However, if a community member engages in unacceptable behavior, we may take any action deemed appropriate, including temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the event or season without warning (and without refund) or even involving proper authorities. Blaze and Ignite reserve the right to ban an attendee or participant violating this Code of Conduct from future Blaze and Ignite events, which will be made as a decision by the Blaze Robotics staff.
Reporting Guidelines
If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify Blaze staff as soon as possible by calling (425) 610-8618 or emailing to report the incident.
The following document defines the escalation process for team issues:
At Blaze and Ignite, we strive to provide all the parts needed for our teams to be successful, a large work space for productive work sessions and an environment where our kids can thrive. We also want to encourage good cleaning habits and a sense of responsibility that every child must learn. In this light we have developed the following team workspace cleanliness policy which all teams must abide by. This policy is also posted in the facility.
Team Workspace Cleanliness Policy and Checklist
Download PDF checklist
The following document is the REC Code of Conduct for expected behavior at tournaments:
Safety
Safety is a priority at Blaze and Ignite. All students who wish to use the power tools must pass a Safety Training Course. Safety trainings occur at the beginning of the season in September.
VRC Middle School team members must have an adult present on site at all times outside of the following Coaching Hours:
Wednesday - Friday 3:30PM - 7:00PM
Saturday - Sunday 11:00AM - 7:00PM