FRC ROUNDTABLE 2013

THE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD

JACOB BENDICKSEN

FRC TEAM 1540 – THE FLAMING CHICKENS

INTRODUCTION

• Me!• Sophomore• Chairman’s manager on

1540• On the presentation team• When I’m not doing robotics

I’m climbing • During the presentation, feel

free to interrupt me (with questions)

ACTIVITY• At your tables, discuss what the Chairman’s Award means

to you and your team.

ACTIVITY• At your tables, discuss what the Chairman’s Award means

to you and your team.• Anyone want to share? Bueller? Bueller?

ACTIVITY• At your tables, discuss what the Chairman’s Award means

to you and your team.• Anyone want to share? Bueller? Bueller?

• To me, it’s about using the robot as a tool to spread STEM• Competitive spirit can be good if used to better your cause

OVERVIEW

• “FIRST’s most prestigious award. It honors the team that

best represents a model for other teams to emulate and

best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. The award

helps keep the focus of the FIRST Robotics Competition on

the goal of inspiring greater levels of respect and honor

for science and technology.” – FIRST

DECONSTRUCTING THAT• Role model for other teams• Strong year-round AND multi-year program• Impacts the community (positively)• Spreads its enthusiasm for FIRST in innovative ways• Strong partnerships

• Students/corporate sponsors/mentors• Students/mentors• Team/community

HOW TO QUALIFY• Old regional model

• Eligible if you submit everything• Present at one event• If you win, you go to world championships

• New district model• Eligible if you submit everything• Submit until you win (not just districts)• If you win, you present at district championships• If you’re one of the 3 winners, then you go to world championships

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

(1 WINNER)

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS

(3 WINNERS)

DISTRICT

(1 WINNER)

DISTRICT

(1 WINNER)REGIONAL

(1 WINNER)

THE SUBMISSION• Executive summary • Essay + ‘optional’ 4 pictures

• The two above are due Thursday, February 13th

• Presentation at event• Q&A at event (after presentation)• Video at event• Roving judges at event

THE SUBMISSION• Executive summary • Essay + ‘optional’ 4 pictures

• The two above are due Thursday, February 13th

• Presentation at event• Q&A at event (after presentation)• Video at event• Roving judges at event

• What parts are best for specific things?

ACTIVITY• What do you think is effective?• Why?

• What isn’t effective?• Why?

• Strategies you’ve used?

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY• Each 500 characters (including spaces)

• Briefly describe the impact of the FIRST program on team participants with special emphasis on the 2013/2014 year and the preceding two years

• Examples of role model characteristics for other teams to emulate• Describe the impact of the FIRST program on your team and

community with special emphasis on the 2013/2014 year and the preceding two years

• Team’s innovative methods to spread the FIRST message• Describe the strength of your partnership with special emphasis

on the 2013/2014 year and the preceding two years• Team’s communication methods and results• Other matters of interest to the FIRST judges, if any

ESSAY• 10,000 characters ~ 4 pages• Submit online along with executive summary• Submit at regional/district event• ‘May’ include up to 4 pictures

• Theme is important here (ties things together)

ESSAY TIPS• Clear headings and sections• Concise• Good flow• Relevant facts/numbers• Focus on the FIRST experience and its impact• Address questions judges want to know• Explain your work this year and the past two• Write early, then revise. Maybe enlist your English

teacher.• Have non-FIRST adults read it and tell you the main

points that they got

PRESENTATION• 5 minutes• 2-3 judges• 2-3 representatives from your team• Any presentation style• Team provides special equipment

PRESENTATION• 5 minutes• 2-3 judges• 2-3 representatives from your team

• Passion is key• Underclassmen can be good (fresh viewpoint)

• Any presentation style• Team provides special equipment

• How many of you have been on a presentation team?• Any tips for everyone else?

Q&A• 5 minutes• Immediately after the presentation• Judges ask questions• Interest them during the presentation• Sample questions later in presentation

PRESENTATION TIPS• Practice!!!!!!!• Make sure you can say everything in 5 minutes – 4:45 is

better• Don’t rush. Practice it slow.• Be memorable, but communicate your main points• Tell personal anecdotes• Incorporate other points when answering questions• Ideas?

ROVING JUDGE TIPS• Have documentation ready for them (business plan, some

pictures, etc.)• Make sure you have knowledgeable team members in the

pit to talk to them• Develop a list of main points to cover, work these into the

answers to their questions• This is a better time to go into more detail

Sample Judging Questions• What was the hardest part of robotics this year?• What do you wish your team was better at?• Why that team name?• What was a big challenge that your team faced? How did you

solve it?• How does your team raise money?• How has robotics impacted you personally?• Why should you get the Chairman’s Award?• If you could pick another team to get the Chairman’s

Award, who would it be?• How is your team run?• What will you do differently next year?• What does gracious professionalism mean to you?

ACTIVITY• Everybody stand up! Stretch!

ACTIVITY• Everybody stand up! Stretch!• I’m going to go around and ask random people these

questions.

Sample Judging Questions• What was the hardest part of robotics this year?• What do you wish your team was better at?• Why that team name?• What was a big challenge that your team faced? How did you

solve it?• How does your team raise money?• How has robotics impacted you personally?• Why should you get the Chairman’s Award?• If you could pick another team to get the Chairman’s

Award, who would it be?• How is your team run?• What will you do differently next year?• What does gracious professionalism mean to you?

MORE INFORMATION• Extended presentation with more info: FIRSTFare 2013

(Gladstone HS, 11/16)

• Awards guidelines, sample championship videos: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/awards

• Team 1540 website with resources, videos, and our essay from last year: www.team1540.org

• Feel free to email me with questions! bendicksenj@catlin.edu

OPEN DISCUSSION• Anyone have questions?• Comments?• Concerns?• Snide remarks?

THANKS FOR COMING!