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:

The judges were impressed by this team's well built robot and their great commitment to the community. They showed talent and motivation BEYOND their years. This rookie team came well ARMED with creativity and professionalism usually shown by more seasoned teams. The Band of Brothers Award goes to team 24318 Center Punch Soldiers.

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: "The best thing about FIRST Tech Challenge is…"

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:

The judges were impressed with this team's sleek and well-rounded design. With FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS, they designed their robot to be quick and strong. It's clear that this robot was designed to not just win the war, but also the BATTLE.

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:

The judges were blown away by this team's extensive community outreach- both starting new teams and adding new members to their own team. Make sure you don't confuse one of their drivers with one of the competition field personnel. Don't call them barnyard DOGS- For the last time- IT RHYMES WITH ROGUES!

The Control Award 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:

This team's autonomous uses several control systems to ensure it is accurate, resilient, and consistent. They also use controller RUMBLE to provide their driver with instant feedback when they collect a pixel. Their well-integrated software SQUEEZES every ounce of performance from their robot.

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:

This team worked around the CLOCK until they reached their PIVOTAL moment. With their need for SPEED and AGILITY, they swiftly flew and wove across the field. As this striking PINK robot gleamed and glided, this MYTHICAL team mesmerized the crowd.

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 amazed by this team's long list of mentors and industry connections. They were able to make specific improvement in their robot over the course of the season because of their mentors. We learned that not only does CHEWY have pet care products, they also have MULTIPLE POINTS OF ROTATION on their robotic arms.

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 dazzled with the expansive detail of this team's engineering portfolio which left no questions unanswered. The LABYRINTH OF PATHWAYS to success were well documented and numerous CAD diagrams represented the ideas of the MIND. The MULTITUDINOUS efforts of this team SWERVED toward numerous diverse regions, extending the GARGANTUAN influence of STEM.

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 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:

Through their engineering prowess and growing outreach, this team embodies the essence of FIRST on and off the field. Their sleek robot and impressive code highlights their technical knowledge and ability to leverage outside resources, while their development of new teams shows their continued commitment to fostering FIRST in their school and community. Keep an eye out for this pack, because they're on the HUNT for greater things.