Pennsylvania FTC Championship

The Compass Award recognizes an adult coach or mentor who has given outstanding guidance and support to a Team throughout the year and demonstrates to the Team what it means to be a Gracious Professional. The winner of the Compass Award will be chosen from candidates nominated by FIRST Tech Challenge student Team members, via a 40-60 second video submission. The video must highlight how their mentor has helped them become an inspirational Team. We want to hear what sets the mentor apart.

The Promote Award is 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. Teams must submit a one-minute long public service announcement (PSA) video based on the PSA subject for the season. Teams may win the Promote Award only once at a Championship level event and only once at a qualifying level event. PSA Subject for 2020-2021 Season: "Why does FIRST Tech Challenge work?"

This judged award recognizes design elements of the Robot that are both functional and aesthetic. The Design Award is presented to Teams that incorporate industrial design elements into their solution. These design elements could simplify the Robot's appearance by giving it a clean look, be decorative in nature, or otherwise express the creativity of the Team. The Robot should be durable, efficiently designed, and effectively address the game challenge.

Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

This team's portfolio is as clean as their deceptively designed robot. MAKE NO MISTAKE, they don't need to turn before they shoot using their sleek turret design. COLOR us crazy, but we really enjoyed hearing about all of the generations of this robot's life. We wanted to write a poem here, but nothing rhymes with orange.

This Team embraces the culture of FIRST and clearly shows what it means to be a team. This judged award celebrates the Team that represents the essence of the FIRST Tech Challenge competition through Gracious Professionalism and general enthusiasm for the overall philosophy of FIRST and what it means to be a FIRST Tech Challenge Team. This is a Team who makes a collective effort to make FIRST known throughout their school and community, and sparks others to embrace the culture of FIRST.

Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

This team motivated the game with community service and virtual speakers. They broadcasted over the internet and cable TV, and supported local restaurants with their "pick of the week". They took the OPPORTUNITY and PERSERVERED while sparking CURIOSITY in STEM.

The Control Award celebrates a Team that uses sensors and software to increase the Robot's functionality in the field. This award is given to the Team that demonstrates innovative thinking to solve game challenges such as autonomous operation, improving mechanical systems with intelligent control, or using sensors to achieve better results. The control component should work consistently in the field.

Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

This team demonstrated a high level of understanding of their robot's control system. Their path-following program illustrated their SIGNIFICANT ability to localize on the robot's target path. With a two camera system, this team SUBSTANTIALLY won over the heart of the judges.

The Collins Aerospace Innovate Award celebrates a Team that thinks outside the box and has the ingenuity, creativity and inventiveness to make their designs come to life. This judged award is given to the Team that has the most innovative and creative Robot design solution to any specific components in the FIRST Tech Challenge game. Elements of this award include elegant design, robustness, and "out of the box" thinking related to design. This award may address the design of the whole Robot or of a sub-assembly attached to the Robot. The creative component must work consistently, but a Robot does not have to work all the time during Matches to be considered for this award.

Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

This team innovated on all aspects of collecting and shooting rings. Their intake can ingest rings both horizontally and vertically with equal speed. With an always-on transfer system and auto aiming shooter, it is a NO BRAINER that rings end up in the high goal at a high rate.

This judged award is given to the Team that most connects with their local science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) community. A true FIRST team is more than a sum of its parts and recognizes that engaging their local STEM community plays an essential part in their success. The recipient of this award is recognized for helping the community understand FIRST, the FIRST Tech Challenge, and the Team itself. The Team that wins the Connect Award actively seeks and recruits engineers and explores the opportunities available in the world of engineering, science and technology. This Team has a clear Team plan and has identified steps to achieve their goals.

Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

This team made meaningful connections to the STEM community and found new mentors to help them learn. With 20/20 VISION they landed connections to the auto industry and consumer robotics. Despite their name, it is no secret that this team has their EYES on the prize.

This judged 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 content within the portfolio is the key reference for Judges to help identify the most deserving Team. The Team's engineering content must focus on the design and build stage of the Team's Robot.

Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

The journey, the science, and CAD are all there. Checklists and flow charts set this portfolio apart. Wow! Such respect. Much robot.

FIRST Dean's List Finalists are outstanding student leaders whose passion for and effectiveness at attaining the ideals of FIRST are exemplary. These students were nominated by their teams for their direct contributions and impact on others – exemplifying leadership and commitment on their FTC team, in their school, and in their community. FIRST Dean's List Finalists, recognized here today, will represent Pennsylvania in the running for the 10 Dean's List Winner spots.

This judged award is given to the team that best embodies 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 Team. This Team is a top contender for many other judged awards and is a gracious competitor. The Inspire Award winner is an inspiration to other Teams, acting with Gracious Professionalism® both on and off the playing field. This Team shares their experiences, enthusiasm and knowledge with other team, sponsors, their community, and the Judges. Working as a unit, this Team will have showed success in performing the task of designing and building a Robot.

Here is what the judges had to say about the winner:

Even with mostly new members this season, this team delivered the whole package of technical and outreach activities. In a season where COVID brought so many things to a screeching halt, it didn't slow down this team's outreach to both the technical community and to help local essential workers. To reach their Ultimate Goals, they successfully implemented a FIRE & FORGET strategy.