Red Raiders Qualifier

The Judges' Choice Award is presented when the judging panel meets a team whose unique efforts, performance, or team dynamics deserve recognition, but don't quite fit into the other award categories.

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

The judges were impressed with this team's commitment to continue applying lessons learned from FLL to their FTC experience. They consider team members as family, brainstorm all design issues, and strive to employ "coopertition" in all aspects of team activity. Their goal is to promote STEM and FIRST core values both within their schools and community. The Core Values Integration award goes to team 16564 Digital Devils.

The Design Award celebrates a team that truly understands industrial design, striking a balance between form, function, and aesthetics while meeting this season's challenge. The team's design process results in a robot that is efficient, effective, and inspiring in the way it tackles the game.

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

This team proved that sleek and efficient truly go hand in hand. Every metal component on their robot was machined in house because apparently buying parts is too easy. With a little SPARK, they have taken design to the next level.

The Reach Award goes to a team that has brought new people into FIRST—whether new teams, mentors, or volunteers—and inspired them to embrace the FIRST culture, helping our community grow and thrive.

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

This team reached out to the community across a broad range of venues. However, FLL was at the heart of their efforts with seven teams actively mentored. If you're looking for a BLUEPRINT on how to do STEM outreach, look to this team.

The Control Award celebrates a team that uses sensors and software to enhance their robot's performance. With innovative solutions, like autonomous operation, smarter mechanical systems, or sensor use, they tackle game challenges with creativity and skill, showing how technology can push their robot to the next level.

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

The judges were impressed by this team's bezier curves. Their robot lights the path forward for consistent shooting. All while fighting the need to go into a deep sleep.

The Innovate Award sponsored by RTX 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 this season's 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. The creative component needs to work consistently.

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

This team's creative solution really surprised the judges. The robot's innovate sorting method cut through the competition like a knife through butter. This ain't no crazy train, this team is STAYING ON THE RAILS.

The Sustain Award celebrates the team that plans for the future of their program, ensuring it will thrive, long after today. They have established plans for finances, projects, or team sustainability, track their progress, and show dedication to leadership and long-term growth.

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

This award goes to a team that impressed the judges with their intentional communication and rotating leadership. This team has the SMARTS to not SLACK off when collaborating with each other. They love to GEEK OUT about their successes on and off the field.

The Connect Award is presented to the team that has built strong connections with their local STEM community. With a clear plan and intentional steps, they grow their skills and show how teamwork and community involvement drive success in FIRST.

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

The judges were impressed by this team's development of skills. They showed us improvements they made from learning with their virtual and mechanical mentors. They are MASTERING their craft with their PURPLE robot.

The Think Award goes to the team that best showcases their engineering journey throughout the FIRST Tech Challenge season. Judges use the team's portfolio to see evidence of the engineering process, lessons learned, or analysis guiding their decisions. This award celebrates the team's thoughtful approach to building their robot.

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

The judges were amazed by the detailed engineering portfolio that displayed their outstanding engineering process and outreach. Their creative thinking process stands out of this WORLD. This team is a group of HEROS that can implement their goals and their thoughts into reality by using JAVA.

The Inspire Award is presented to the team that embodies the best of FIRST—this team is made up of strong ambassadors, role models, and gracious competitors. This team excels across judged award categories, works together to design and build their robot, and shares their experiences, enthusiasm, and knowledge with other teams, sponsors, their community, and the Judges.