Congratulations on making to state!
Let me note a couple of differences between the State Championship versus a Regional Tournament.
Judging Groups
As you know, age divisions were eliminated this year. Because of this elimination, teams competing at the State
Championship are in one division of 69 teams, but are broken up into what we call judging groups. At the
regional tournaments, we had a maximum of 16 teams per judging group (Lakes and Woods). This allowed one
set of judges to fairly evaluate one set of teams in a day. With 69 teams at state, one set of judges can’t see all
teams, so we have split them into 7 judging groups.
Finalist Judging (a.k.a. Callbacks)
In the morning, each judging group is evaluated using the same process as regional tournaments, same criteria,
same judges, same time limits. After all judging is complete (around 1:00); we crunch the morning scores and
determine a winning team in each group, for each category. These teams are now scheduled for a SECOND
(finalist) judging session, also referred to as callbacks. A set of judges now evaluate all 7 finalist teams. The
winning team and second place team are selected from those finalists. This 2 level format is the only way to do
subjective judging fairly with such a large number of teams, and is the standard for large team events
everywhere.
Subjective Awards
The Champion Award is the most prestigious award given. Our experienced judges are looking for the
®
most well-rounded team who embodies the spirit of FIRST and is exceptional across all judging
st
categories. This year the 1 place Champion will receive an invitation to the FLL World Festival in St.
nd
Louis, MO. The 2 place team will receive an invitation to the North American Open held at
®
LEGOLAND in Carlsbad, CA. The top 6-8 teams are selected for this finalist judging.
st
nd
The Project Awards are split into 3 categories. 1 and 2 place trophies are awarded in each of these
3 categories as defined in the FLL handbook. Those teams that advance to finalist judging will give their
presentation again.
Research Quality is awarded to the team whose research covers all aspects of the project and
has an in-depth knowledge of the topic.
Innovative Solution is awarded to the team whose research solution is innovative, creative and
thoughtful.
Presentation is presented to the team whose presentation is both creative and well presented.
st
nd
The Technical Awards are also split into 3 categories. 1 and 2 place trophies are awarded in each
of these 3 categories.
Programming is awarded to the team best demonstrating an in-depth understanding of sound
programming principals and applications.
Mechanical Design is awarded to the team that produces a solid, predictable and dependable
robot using sound mechanical principals.
Innovative Design is awarded to a team using a creative design, component, or unique
strategy.
st
Core Values/Teamwork Award is presented to the 1 and 2
Core Values.
nd
place teams who best exemplify the FLL
Judges’ Awards are open ended awards determined by the Official Judging Panel. The panel is
looking for an inspirational or one of a kind story. Team need only share their experiences in their
morning judging sessions for consideration.
st
nd
Inspiration Award is presented to the 1 and 2 place teams showing exceptional team spirit,
enthusiasm, support and encouragement of fellow teams. This award is chosen by the referees.
1
Head-to-Head and Performance Awards
ALL teams will participate in the head to head competition in the afternoon. Make sure you are there when your
judging group is running. We will skip teams if they don’t show up. We have divided all the teams into two
groups. Each group will compete down to 4 final teams. These last 8 teams will compete at the very end of the
st
th
day. We give out trophies for 1 through 4 place in head-to-head along with trophies for the top two scores
from the morning rounds.
Young Mentor award and Young Leadership Award. The nominees for these awards will be interviewed prior
to state tournament this year and the winners will be presented with their awards and scholarships during the
ceremony.
®
Lastly we have Gracious Professionalism . This is a loosely defined award, but will partly be based on input
from teams at the tournament on sportsmanship-like qualities they may see in other teams. If your team sees or
experiences some act of sportsmanship from another team, please fill out the form you receive at check in and
return it to a head judge.
®
Teams are NOT called back for the Judges Award, Inspiration Award or Gracious Professionalism .
®
All participating kids will receive a medal. They are all bronze, that’s the way they come from FIRST .
Well, I think that’s it. If it sounds complicated, that’s because it is. It all works out by about 5pm and then you can
enjoy the awards ceremony and go celebrate your successful season with your team. (You can also celebrate
once again using your dining room table, or the floor of your family room after 6 months of it being littered with
LEGOS.)
Good Luck to all the teams –
Norm Tiedemann and all the Volunteer Judges and Referees
2