NOTE: We've had several questions about the
value of the different
portions of
the competition. Here is how FIRST defines the
scoring
values:
25% Robot Performance
25% Project
25% Robot Design (Tech Interview)
25% Teamwork
Our Judges will normalize the scores in each area and apply
these
percentages to determine the Champions Award winner.
We'll also
use this score to select additional teams that
will qualify
for the Champion's event in Denver on December 11, 2010.
Please note that Alliance Round results do not affect your overall
score unless
we see signs of poor behavior or teamwork.
Awards
We think everyone who participates in FIRST LEGO League wins. LEGO, Robots,
Microprocessors, Motors, Programming, Research, Presentations, Acting, Team
Fun...Does it get any better? But, we still like to recognize outstanding
efforts. Here are some of the awards we'll be giving this year:
Directors Award (1st, 2nd, 3rd): The Directors Award winner is the total
package---the embodiment of the FIRST LEGO League vision. The Champion’s Award
encompasses four key elements of the Technical and Team Presentation Awards –
Robot Design (25%), Robot Performance (25%), Project Presentation (25%), and Teamwork
(25%). It honors
the team that best embodies FLL Values and Gracious Professionalism.
Robot Performance (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th): This award goes to the team whose overall package
of robot design, programming, strategy, and teamwork helped it to achieve more
points than any other team on the competition table.
Best Overall Robot Design: This award goes to the team that, in the
judges opinion, demonstrates the best combination of engineering, innovation,
creativity, reliability and programming -- as well as the ability for the entire
team to explain their design and development process.
Most Reliable Design: For this award, judges look for teams whose work
stands out for dependability. To assess dependability, the judges interview the
teams to learn what solid principles and best practices they used to reduce
variability and errors, with preference to robots that best “back it up”
throughout the matches.
Most Innovative Design: For this award, judges look for teams whose work
stands out for innovation. To assess innovation, the judges watch the robots
work and look for things that make them say “Wow!” They interview team members
to reveal the less obvious unique and inventive ideas.
Best Robot Programming: It takes more than just a great design to make that robot
go. It needs some solid instructions from the team. FLL presents this award to
the team that understands outstanding programming principles.
Best Overall Project: This award goes to the team that, in the judges
opinion, best meets the goals of this year's project description and
demonstrates the best combination of research, innovation, creativity, and
presentation skills -- as well as the ability for the entire team to
explain their project and development process.
Best Project Research: An impressive research project presentation begins
with dedication and perseverance. Teams put in the time and effort to read and
formulate an in-depth understanding of the science that surrounds
climate interaction. This award is given to the team that best utilized diverse
resources that positively impacted the overall presentation.
Most Creative Presentation: Teams use many techniques to effectively
communicate what they have learned to their audience. This award is presented to
the team whose creative, imaginative presentation reflected an in-depth
knowledge and understanding of the Climate Connections project.
Most Innovative Solution: Solutions to problems come in many different
forms, limited only by the team’s imagination. This award recognizes the team
that developed the most thought provoking and innovative resolution to the
Climate Connections project.
Teamwork (1st, 2nd): Teamwork is the key ingredient in any team’s success. This
award is presented to the team whose members best demonstrate extraordinary
enthusiasm and spirit, exceptional partnership, the utmost respect for their own
teammates, and support and encouragement of fellow teams. They demonstrated
confidence, energy, strong problem solving skills, and great group dynamics.
Team Spirit: You know when this team is in the room. Their enthusiasm
and laughter catches you off guard every time. You may not know the team name or
number, but you can describe what they look like and what they do. Everyone
knows them! They rock the house, and they make science and technology fun.
Judges Award (optional): Many high quality teams do not fit the mold
for an existing award but nonetheless deserve one. This award gives the judges
the freedom to recognize the most remarkable team for which a standard award
does not exist.
Adult Coach / Mentor (optional): Many teams reach significant
milestones of success, thanks to their close relationship with an adult coach or
mentor. It is this adult who graciously gives his or her time and understands
the need for kids to have hands-on technology experience. This award goes to the
coach or mentor whose wisdom, guidance, patience, and devotion were most clearly
evident in his/her team’s discussion with the judges.
Youth Mentor (optional): This award is presented to the young adult,
high school through college age coach/mentor, whose impact and inspiration,
devotion, guidance, and support were most clearly evident in the team’s
discussion with the judges.
Please note that all awards are subject to the opinions of the Judges and
all decisions are final.
