Captain 8992 The Eternity Coders, PALCS-University Scholars Program, West Chester, PA 
        1st Selected 365 MOE, FIRST State Robotics, Wilmington, DE 
            2nd Selected 395 Archmere Robauktics Archmere Academy, Claymont, DE

The Motivate Award recognizes outstanding team spirit shown though costumes and outfits, team support, and other methods of standing out and raising attention. Teams that reach out to their schools and community to raise awareness of FIRST and their FTC efforts have done so in a variety of cool and inventive methods - this winner is no exception.  Here is what the judges had to say:The judges were impressed by a team that has a strong vision for advancing FIRST. They are well organized and reflect spirit and commitment to their long range goals. This team has pride in their school and their community. When they looked around their community, they didn't see enough FIRST, so they became warriors to grow FIRST among the mountaineers.

The Connect Award is a bit different than the Motivate Award. Winners of the Connect Award have done a great deal of community outreach not only to spread the word about FIRST but specifically to include engineers, scientists, and other technology professionals into their outreach efforts. This creates connections between teams, FIRST, and the professional world that can last years beyond their participation in FTC. Connect Award winners also develop and execute plans to fund their team including clear goals and objectives - including how they can give back to their community in the future.  Here is what the judges had to say:This veteran team has connected with their local and distant communities. They spread the FIRST message to their STEM audience and show little fatigue. We were very impressed by their fundraising efforts and silver-tongued communication skills.

The Rockwell Collins Innovate Award is robot specific. It celebrates teams who come up with innovate solutions to the Game Challenge that most others have overlooked. These solutions can't just look good - they've got to work... at least most of the time. Historically, some of the most innovative breakthroughs in science and technology have come when fresh thinking is applied to a known problem. This year's Rockwell Collins Innovate Award winners demonstrated that type of thinking. Here is what the judges had to say:

This experienced Pennsylvania team stood out from the crowd today with a unique approach to the game.  The robot bypasses the 5-ball limit, legally, by pinball-ing balls into the rolling goal.  Unlike their name, they are gracious opponents.

Winner: Team 7314, Sab-BOT-age from Downingtown, PA

2nd Place: Team 365, MOE       3rd Place: Team 5968, Westfield Robotics

We are happy that PTC has offered to sponsor the PTC Design Award. The intent of this award is to expand the challenge, inspiring teams to incorporate industrial design into their robots. These elements can be shown in the simplicity of the design as it applies to the tasks, the look and feel of the robot, and how the design allows us to think of robots in new ways. The Design aspects must serve a function - but they should also differentiate the robot in a unique fashion - not an easy task with a limited set of parts and game challenge. Here is what the judges had to say:

This team designed a robot that functions well on the field and looks good in the pit. While some teams use their 3D printer to make decorative parts, these engineers have taken it to another level. The perfection of their design has risen from the ashes of their previous attempts.

Winner: Team 7423, Flaming Phoenix from Kennett Square, PA

2nd Place: Team 5968, Westfield Robotics       3rd Place: Team 6965, Westwood Robotics Alliance

Every team at this event has had to think - hopefully a lot. The Think Award recognizes the team that has successfully thought, organized, and documented their journey from their starting point to their final design. The engineering notebook is the record of this journey. Just like in real life, teams that can document their process have the best chance at learning from it and improving on it. Here is what the judges had to say:

This rookie team's project details were written everyday. The thoroughness of their notebook "blue" us away. There is "know" reason to doubt what this team is about....

Winner: Team 8528, Rhyme Know Reason from Wilmington, DE

2nd Place: Team 365, MOE       3rd Place: Team 7314, Sab-BOT-age

The Control Award celebrates a team that uses sensors and software to enhance the robot’s functionality on the field. This award is given to the team that demonstrates innovative thinking in the control system to solve game challenges such as autonomous operation, enhancing mechanical systems with intelligent control, or using sensors to achieve better results on the field. The control component should work consistently on the field. The team’s Engineering Notebook should contain details about the implementation of the software, sensors, and mechanical control. Here is what the judges had to say:

Not Awarded

The Inspire Award is the highest award given by FTC. The winner of the Inspire Award is automatically eligible for advancement to the next tournament level. The Inspire Award winner is the 'prototype' for what we'd like to see all teams achieve as part of the FIRST Tech Challenge. They do many of the things mentioned in the other awards. The difference is that they've tied these together in a comprehensive manner resulting in success in the competition, outreach to the community, robot design, team spirit, and engineering accomplishment. That's a tall order but we've got some great candidates for this award today. Here is what the judges had to say:

This team demonstrated how a model First Tech Robotics organization should run. Their comprehensive performance on and off the field shows their ability to move in every direction. Far from a miracle, they prove that victory is a product of hard work. Hailing from the First State, the winner of the Inspire Award is........Judges do the MOE clap........

Winner: Team 365, MOE from Wilmington, DE

2nd Place: Team  6965, Westwood Robotics Alliance     3rd Place: Team 5968, Westfield Robotics