THE HEWITT SCHOOL PRESENTS: EMPIRE STATE STRIKES BACK

THE HEWITT SCHOOL PRESENTS

EMPIRE STATE STRIKES BACK

Hewitt’s Big Apple Bash Combat Robotics Event

The Empire State strikes back as Hewitt launches its first official combat robotics event in the heart of Manhattan. Join us for a day of intense battles, creative engineering, and legendary competition at the Big Apple Bash.

📅 Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026

📍 Location: The Hewitt School — Upper East Side, NYC

🔧 Competition Classes:

Antweight Robots (1 lb)

PLAnt Class Robots

🏆 Divisions: Combined Youth & Adult Bracket

📐 Rule Set: SPARC.IO Competition Rules

⚙️ Division Details

For this historic event, Youth and Adult brackets have been combined:

Youth and Adult competitors will face each other in matches.

Matches will rotate across age groups for a fair and exciting lineup.

Finals and awards will be based on overall performance, not age division.

Driver Rule

1 Driver = 1 Robot (Unless in a different class)

Each competitor may enter and drive only one robot during the event.

Prizes

🥇 1st Place — Combat Champion

🥈 2nd Place — Finalist

🥉 3rd Place — Semifinalist

⭐ Special Award — Galactic Design Award

🔧 Combat Rules (SPARC.IO Standard)

All robots must follow SPARC.IO rules and Hewitt safety protocols.

❗ Strictly Prohibited Weapon Types

Overhead attacks (hammer-saw mechanisms; note: hammers are allowed)

Flamethrowers or fire-based systems

Tasers, stun weapons, or high-voltage discharge

Radio jamming or signal interference

Entanglement weapons (ropes, nets, wires, adhesives, foams, tethers, or anything designed to immobilize a robot)

Robots using banned systems will not be allowed to compete.

🛡️ Safety & Inspection

All robots must pass a mandatory inspection before entering the arena:

✔️ Weapon failsafe functions properly

✔️ Drive system failsafe works

✔️ Battery is enclosed and undamaged

✔️ All sharp or exposed components are shielded in the pit

✔️ Transport locks are used when moving the robot

Robots failing inspection cannot compete until corrected.

⭐ Galactic Design Award

In a galaxy not so far away, style matters.

Decorate your robot with a Star Wars–inspired theme

Designs may reference factions, planets, droids, or starships

All decorations must be cosmetic only (no functional weapon changes)

Judged on creativity, craftsmanship, and presentation

Winner receives a special event award

🕒 Tentative Schedule

8:00 AM — Doors Open & Registration

8:30–10:00 AM — Robot Safety Inspections

10:00 AM — Driver & Competitor Meeting

10:30 AM — Matches Begin

1:00 PM — Lunch Break

5:00–5:30 PM — Finals & Awards

Contact

📧 Andrew.Iacona@hewittschool.org

📞 212-288-1919 ext. 390