Awards
Contributors:
Etienne Tardif
Etienne Tardif
Awards are given out at every FTC competition. Some awards are more important than others but at the end of the day, an award is an award. In the 2024-25 FTC season, there are three awards that will qualify you to states or worlds. These awards are Winning Alliance Captain, Winning Alliance First Choice, and First Place Inspire Award. In this article, you learn about every FTC award and the meaning behind it.
Teams that win this award represent the meaning of being a FIRST team. These teams do not just focus on making the best robot possible but they connect and help out with their community. They are top contenders in many of the other awards and show gracious professionalism. Teams must submit an engineering portfolio with a summary of the robot's design and team information. this team also shares knowledge with other teams and judges. Usually, there are three Inspire awards given out at every competition in their respective order. At States. The 1st place Inspire award will qualify you for Worlds
To win this Award, teams must demonstrate creative thinking to navigate obstacles. Teams must submit an engineering portfolio with quality engineering content to be considered for this award. Below is the criteria for this award from the FTC Award manual. This is an engineering award so there is no requirements on outreach or community activities.
Teams who win this award connect with their local STEM community. Teams talk about FIRST in their local community and they explore engineering job opportunities. They help their community understand FIRST and FTC. This team also has a clear team plan. Below is the criteria for this award from the FTC Award manual. Talking about your mentors is important to win this award.
Teams that win this award think outside the box. the design and make their design a reality. This design is not just for completing the game but for the robot itself. For example, the drive train and placement of certain parts on the robot. The award could be just about a subassembly of the robot. The engineering portfolio must include the robot's design process. Below is the criteria for this award from the FTC Award manual.
Teams that win the control award demonstrate the ability to improve mechanical systems through intelligent control. Teams use sensors to improve their game, especially during auto have a higher chance of winning this award. The demonstrated system must work consistently on the field as well. the teams engineering portfolio must contain a summary of software, sensors, and mechanical control, but does not include copies of the code itself. Below is the criteria for this award from the FTC Award manual.
teams that win this award make FIRST known in their school and community. they embrace the culture of FIRST and show what it means to be a team. An engineering portfolio is not required for this award. Teams that win this award represent the FIRST motto of Gracious Professionalism. Below is the criteria for this award from the FTC Award manual.
this award is given to teams that balance their robot's aesthetic and functional parts. these parts must effectively solve the game's challenges An engineering portfolio is not required for this award. Below is the criteria for this award from the FTC Award manual.
The compass award is only given out during the regional championship. Teams will make a 40-60 second video about one of the mentors. The video should show how their mentor ids different from other mentors. Below is the criteria for this award from the FTC Award manual.
This award is not given at every first event. This award is given to a unique team that does a lot of things but does not fit any of the awards. The judges do not factor your robot's competition placement for this award. Therefore this award is solely based off your judging room proforance. There is no criteria for this award.
To win these awards, you must win or be a runner up in the knockout rounds.
This award is given to 10th and 11th-grade students for their leadership and dedication to their team and FIRST. Any student that wins this award is a great example of a leader in FIRST. Coaches/Mentors must nominate a team member to be considered for this award. Below is a URL to the nomination guide.
https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/deans-list-nomination-guide.pdf