Innovative Design Award

This award is presented to the team that best demonstrates the ability to use creative design, component or unique strategy of play for the most original approach when solving the Challenge missions.

Programming Award

This award is presented to the team that understands and applies sound programming principles, creating an effective and efficient program to run the robot.

Robot Performance Award

This award is presented to the team with the robot achieving the best score on the competition field of the tournament. The top two scoring teams of all three rounds are presented with this award. Should there be a tie for first or second place, the second highest scores of the teams involved will be used as the tiebreaker.

Project Awards

These awards are presented to the teams with quality research; innovative solutions and creative presentations that best reflect in-depth understanding of the various scientific disciplines and issues involved with the Challenge Research Assignment.

Teamwork Award

Teamwork is necessary to succeed in FIRST LEGO League, and is the key ingredient in any team competition. This award is presented to the team that best demonstrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, exceptional partnership and the utmost respect to their own teammates, and in their encouragement and support for other teams. The team presented this trophy demonstrates to the judges, confidence, energy and enthusiasm, problem solving skills, understanding and respect of others, and team interaction and group dynamics.

Against All Odds Award

Incredible odds can be overcome if one never gives up, no matter what. This award goes to the team that rises from the worst situation to improvise, adapt, overcome adversity and still make a respectable showing.

Team Spirit Award

This award goes to the team that most enthusiastically demonstrates a commitment to getting others to see how accessible, fun, and rewarding science and technology can be, especially when one is a part of a great team.

Judges Award

Many high quality teams don’t exactly match existing award criteria, but are, nonetheless, deserving. Some teams have a story that profoundly sets them apart in a unique way. This award gives the judges the freedom to recognize the most remarkable team for which a standard award does not exist.

ETHOS Award

This award encompasses five key elements of the technical and team performance awards. This award honors the team’s understanding and practice of the true meaning of FIRST and FLL. The winner of the ETHOS award has the honor of being the top qualifier to go on to the state tournament.

Qualifications for the State Tournament

Robot Performance, Research Presentation, Design, and Teamwork, will be the categories used to determine which teams qualify for the state tournament. For any reason, if a qualifying team chooses not to participate at the state level, the next highest team will be granted this opportunity.