Pennsylvania FTC Championship

The Judges' Choice Award is given at the discretion of the Judges to a team they have encountered whose unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition, yet the team does not fit into any of the existing award categories.

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

This team used their knowledge of robotics to create new resources to support students with unique needs in their community. Throughout the year, they developed specialized designs to increase participation in adaptive P.E. by disguising robots as play. The team's particular passion project was to enable a fellow student to communicate with others in the classroom by improving the technology on her wheelchair. The "Technologically Enabled" judges award goes to team 17388, Red Tornadoes.

The Compass Award recognizes an adult coach or mentor who has given outstanding guidance and support for a FIRST Tech Challenge team throughout the year. The winner of the Compass Award is determined from candidates nominated by student team members, via a 40-60 second video, highlighting how their mentor has helped them become an outstanding team and has truly demonstrated what it means to be a Gracious Professional.

The Promote Award is given to the team that is most successful in creating a compelling message for the public and working to change our culture and celebrate science, technology, engineering and math. The video submission was evaluated by the Judges to determine the winner of this award. Teams must present a thoughtful and high-quality video which best exhibits this year's topic of: "How I learned about FIRST"

The Design Award expands on this year's 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 in how the design allows us to think of robots in new ways. The design aspect must serve a function - but should also differentiate the robot in a unique fashion.

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

This team delivered a robot that is both functional and aesthetic. Their robot was loaded with custom 3D printed parts. SOARING above design challenges led to HOT performances today.

The team that receives the Motivate Award celebrates the culture of FIRST and clearly shows what it means to be a team. This award celebrates the team that represents the essence of the FIRST Tech Challenge competition through team building, team spirit, and displayed enthusiasm. 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 impressed the judges with their big approach to help small hands. They brought technology within a child's reach. Using Rev components, controllers and 3D printed parts, they designed large-buttoned learning tools for special needs kids.

The Control Award sponsored by Arm, Inc celebrates 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.

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

The judges were impressed by this team's fast and precise scoring in autonomous. They are clearly REACHING FAR AND WIDE to grow their programming skills so we can EXTRAPOLATE THEIR PATHS to future opportunities. They really excel in collecting INFINITY CONES.

The Innovate Award sponsored by Raytheon Technologies celebrates a team that has the ingenuity and inventiveness to make their designs come to life. This award is given to the team that the Judges feel has the most innovative and creative robot design solution to the FIRST Tech Challenge game. Elements of this award include elegant design, robustness and 'out of the box' thinking. This award may address the design of the whole robot or some sub-assembly component of the robot. The creative component needs to work consistently, but a robot does not have to work all of the time during matches to be considered for this award. The team's engineering portfolio showed the design of the component(s) and the team's robot, and clearly explains how the team arrived at their solution.

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

The judges appreciated that this team's prominent innovation didn't follow the HERD. Their lift sprung to a new level of uniqueness and creativity. No batteries needed or included - only MYTHICAL POWERS.

The Connect Award is presented to the team that the Judges feel most connected with their local Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) community. A true FIRST team is more than the 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. In addition, this team aggressively seeks and recruits engineers and explores the opportunities available in the world of engineering, science, and technology.

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

The judges were impressed by the number of connections this team was able to make with the STEM industry. They were able to clearly show how their mentors helped improve their robot and help team members develop technical skills. Their mentors even provided HOLOGRAPHIC proof of their connections.

The Think Award is given to the team that the Judges feel best reflects the journey of the engineering design process. The engineering portfolio is the key reference for Judges to help them identify the most deserving team. This team's engineering portfolio focused on the design and build stage of the team's Robot and exemplified their journey as a team and engineers.

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

The judges were captivated by the clarity and depth of detail in this team's polished engineering portfolio. The details of the team's journey shone like a SPARKLING chain, connecting their experiences. This team devoured the challenge of documenting the team's journey throughout the season as a cohesive PACK.

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

The Inspire Award is presented to the team that the Judges felt truly embodied the 'challenge' of the FIRST Tech Challenge program. The team that receives this award is a strong ambassador for FIRST programs and works to promote FIRST and make it loud in their community. The team that receives this award has performed well in all Judging categories and was chosen by the Judges as a model FIRST Tech Challenge team both on and off the playing field. This team shares their experiences, enthusiasm and knowledge with other teams, sponsors, their community, and the Judges. Working as a unit, this team will have shown success in performing the task of designing and building a robot.

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

This team is generous with their time, knowledge, and materials - but most of all with their passion for FIRST. They impressed the judges with their EXTREME drive train design and multi-directional articulation. They could SWEEP the field and navigate with ease.