A question about taking the robot....
 

Are we allowed to take the robot during or after a competition outside, say back at the school, to work on it?

No.

After a regional, you must directly ship the robot to the next regional. You may have the robot back once you're done with all your regional/national event(s). However, there's not much point to work on it then :)

I'm not so sure there isn't a point to work on it some more... Working more will allow you to perfect your 'bot, and you'll probably learn a lot from it. It'll help you spot design flaws the next season around before they happen.

And, if nothing else, it'll give you something to tinker with. :D

After the regional is a definite no-no... I am not too sure about during the competition... but I would also have to say no because that would give you an advantage over other teams who do not live near where the regional is being held ;)