1. FIRST Tech Challenge Judging and Awards
Scott Sedam
FTC Ohio Judge Advisor

2. The FTC Judging Process
The Awards process is sort of a competition parallel to the field competition
Judges learn about teams and make decisions based on:
Interviews with teams
Engineering Notebook
Match Observations
Pit Observations / Follow up questions
Deliberations among the judges

3. Judged Awards Rockwell Collins Innovate Award N Design Award N
Control Award N
Connect N
Motivate N
Promote *
Compass *
Judges Award *
Think N
Inspire N
All the same awards are back from last year, but every year there are slight changes or clarifications to many guidelines so teams are urged to carefully review each description in the Game Manual.
* Optional per event
N Engineering Notebook requirement

4. Robot-related Awards Rockwell Collins Innovate Award Design Award
recognizes the most innovative and creative robot design solution
Design Award
recognizes outstanding overall design that is both functional and aesthetic
Control Award
recognizes outstanding work in the control system, autonomous operation, use of sensors, and overall programming
teams must apply for this award at each event by handing in a Control Award Content Sheet

5. Team-related Awards Connect Award Motivate Award
recognizes the team that most connects with their local science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) community
Includes community outreach as well as STEM-related activities or partnerships
Motivate Award
recognizes the team that represents the essence of the FIRST Tech Challenge through team building, team spirit and exhibited enthusiasm
Promote and Compass Awards…

6. Video Awards Compass Award Promote Award
recognizes an adult Coach or Mentor who has provided outstanding guidance and support for a team throughout the year
Promote Award
given to the team that is most successful in creating a compelling video message for the public designed to change our culture and celebrate science, technology, engineering and math
PSA Subject for Season: ???
Common Guidelines:
Team must submit the video at least one week prior to the event to be eligible
Videos cannot be longer than 60 seconds
Teams must have rights to any music used in the video
Only one video submission per team (per award) will be considered
Each Event Director should clarify their own video submission process as the event nears.

7. The Think Award
The Think Award is given to the team that best reflects the “journey” the team took as they experienced the engineering design process during the build season.
The Engineering Section of the notebook is the key reference for judges to help identify the most deserving Team. It should focus on the design and build stage of the team’s robot.
Journal entries must include those describing the underlying science and mathematics of game strategies, robot designs, re-designs, successes, and opportunities for improvement.
Check the game manual for formatting guidelines and award criteria!

8. The Inspire Award
The Inspire Award is the most prestigious award, and is given to the team that truly embodied the ‘challenge’ of the FIRST Tech Challenge program. The Team that receives this award is a strong ambassador for FIRST programs and a role model FIRST Tech Challenge Team. This team is a top contender for many other judged categories and is a gracious competitor. The Inspire Award winning team will receive an invitation to advance to the next level event.

9. Start Preparing Attend today’s workshops!
Review the award descriptions right away
Game Manual Part 2
Look for any specific rules and criteria
Start the engineering notebook right away
Capture today’s experience and brainstorming