Captain 4433 Smokin' Motors, Conrad Weiser High School, Robesonia, PA
        1st Selected TBD - To Be Determined, Aurora High School / Aurora Robotics, Aurora, OH
            2nd Selected Wolverines, Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School, Buffalo, NY 

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 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 team has a very diverse membership, which helped them make many connections. Through their efforts they could teach all of us a lesson. This team put forth an amazing program that flowed well into the community.

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 team didn't have to turn any corners to find a better path. They BLEW away their competition in this area with their innovative maneuvering design. There were several great ideas that were implemented, which combined are MAKING 'EM the top choice for this award.

Winner: Team 7060 Fried Fuzes from Pittsburgh, PA

2nd Place: Team 8393 The Giant Diencephalic BrainSTEM Robotics Team      3rd Place: Team 6022 TBD - To Be Determined

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:

The thought process that went into the design of this robot was exceptional. This is especially impressive for a rookie team. Their combined brain power was obvious.

Winner: Team 8393 The Giant Diencephalic BrainSTEM Robotics Team from Baden, PA

2nd Place: Team 4433 Smokin' Motors      3rd Place: Team 6022 TBD - To Be Determined

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 thoughtful team planned and worked hard to be able to present their robot on and off the field. They DID NOT KNOW how important the engineering notebook would be in their futures. By creating a living document they left no QUESTION what the outcome would be.

Winner: Team 6022 TBD - To Be Determined from Aurora, OH

2nd Place: Team 4433 Smokin' Motors      3rd Place: Team 8509 Steel Serpents

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:

This team trained their robot to autonomously free the balls in the center. The team then drove their robot to retrieve the balls and drop the balls on command. This highly effective team won't be resting on their laurals.

Winner: Team 8645 Robotic Doges from Hollsopple, PA

2nd Place: Team 4433 Smokin' Motors       3rd Place: Team 6022 TBD - To Be Determined

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:

Though this team was not largest in size, their score might have been. Their robot impressed the judges in many ways, creatively solving many engineering obstacles in problem-shielding ways. Their control systems worked wonderfully and their colorful hats made them hard to miss.

Winner: Team 4433 Smokin' Motors from Robesonia, PA

2nd Place: Team 6022 TBD - To Be Determined      3rd Place: Team 8393 The Giant Diencephalic BrainSTEM Robotics Team