Take dedicated, enthusiastic students, teachers, engineers and other professionals, add six (6) weeks for design and fabrication and you get a wide range of amazing machines that are competition ready.

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." Dean Kamen, Founder

 Gracious Professionalism is…a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community.  With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process.  They avoid treating anyone like losers … Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.  …knowing one has acted with integrity and sensitivity.

 When compared with the comparison group, FIRST students are: ◦ More than 3 times as likely to major specifically in engineering. ◦ Roughly 10 times as likely to have had an apprenticeship, internship, or co-op job in their freshman year. ◦ Significantly more likely to expect to achieve a post graduate degree. ◦ More than twice as likely to expect to pursue a career in science and technology. ◦ Nearly 4 times as likely to expect to pursue a career specifically in engineering. ◦ More than twice as likely to volunteer in their communities.

Position Summary Select team award recipients through interaction with teams, review of documentation regarding team background information to familiarize judges with teams, and serve as role models for the competitors. Judges are responsible for own travel/accommodation expenses and arrangements. *Must sign a Volunteer Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Form prior to start of service. Qualifications  High profile volunteer position; visible presence  Recognition of service in Regional Program Book  Community exposure  Networking opportunities  Ability to positively impact quality of event  Judge shirt provided Responsibilities  Attend Judge Orientation Dinner Meeting  Interview and observe teams in the Pit, on the playing field and other areas  Review team background literature  Participate on Judge Panel to decide team awards recipients  Interpersonal skills; ability to effectively relate to teenagers and adults  Write short awards scripts extolling merits of winning teams  Announce team awards recipients; assist with award presentations to teams Experience And Skills Needed  FIRST experience not required  Strong assessment skills  Strong interpersonal/communication skills  Ability to work as a member of a team  Knowledge of award criteria and selection process  Ability to move about the facility

 FIRST’s most prestigious award, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate … the purpose and goals of FIRST.  Keeps the central focus of the FIRST Robotics Competition on the goal of inspiring greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology.  Encourage more of today’s youth to become scientists, engineers and technologists.  It represents the spirit of FIRST.

Engineering Inspiration Delphi  Advances respect and appreciation for engineering within a team’s school and community.  This award celebrates an elegant and advantageous machine feature.  This award recognizes any aspect of engineering elegance including, but not limited to: ◦ design, ◦ wiring methods ◦ material selection ◦ programming techniques ◦ unique machine attributes  The criteria for this award is based on the team's ability to concisely verbally describe, as well as demonstrate, this chosen machine feature.

Innovation in Control Rockwell  Celebrates an innovation control system or application of control components to provide unique machine functions Creativity Xerox  Celebrates creative design, use of a component a creative or unique strategy of play

 Industrial Design -- General Motors ◦ Celebrates form and function in an efficiently designed machine that effectively achieves the game challenge  Quality Motorola ◦ Celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication

Team Spirit Chrysler  Celebrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit through an exceptional partnership and teamwork. Imagery Jack Kamen  Celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration from the machine to the team appearance.

Gracious Professionalism Johnson & Johnson  Celebrates outstanding sportsmanship both on and off the field Judges Award  Celebrates a team whose unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition. Engineering Inspiration Award  Celebrates a team’s efforts in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and engineers, both within their school as welll as their community.

Entrepreneurship Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers  Celebrates the Entrepreneurial spirit.  Since its inception has developed a comprehensive business plan to ◦ Scope ◦ Manage ◦ Obtain team objectives  Entrepreneurial enthusiasm and the vital business skills for a self-sustaining program

Rookie All-Stars  Celebrates the rookie team exemplifying a your but strong partnership effort  Implementing the mission of FIRST Rookie Inspiration  Celebrates a rookie team’s outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and engineers both within their school and community.  Engineering Inspiration Award for Rookies

Highest Rookie Seed Award  Celebrates the highest-seeded rookie team at the conclusion of the qualifying rounds.

Woodie Flowers Award  Celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design.  recognizes mentors who lead, inspire, and empower using excellent communication Excellence in Design Award Autodesk  This award honors clear and compelling evidence of excellence in design development, documentation, communication, and presentation. The intention of the Award is to inspire, recognize and celebrate design as one way in which you can change your world.

Woodie Flowers Award  Celebrates effective communication in the art and science of engineering and design.  recognizes mentors who lead, inspire, and empower using excellent communication Excellence in Design Award Autodesk  This award honors clear and compelling evidence of excellence in design development, documentation, communication, and presentation. The intention of the Award is to inspire, recognize and celebrate design as one way in which you can change your world.

Industrial Safety Award Underwriters Laboratories  Celebrates the team that progresses beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards. Website Award  Recognizes excellence in student-designed, built, and managed FIRST team websites.

 Spokesperson verses all the team  We want to talk to the kids not the adults  We want your team to be safe, please help us with that goal—wear your safety glasses, and watch out for fingers and toes.

 Take dedicated, enthusiastic students, teachers, engineers and other professionals  Add six (6) weeks for design and fabrication  Get a wide range of amazing machines that are competition ready.