frcawards@nycfirst.org 2025 awards, changes and celebrating your team Jeanne Boyarsky NYC Awards Committee Chair frcawards@nycfirst.org speakerdeck.com/boyarsky

frcawards@nycfirst.org Changes (beyond awards)

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Work prior to kickoff • The new R302 will only prohibit “MAJOR MECHANISMS” created prior to Kickoff • Reduce waste/cost Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/2025-rule- updates

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Bumpers • More materials • Less restrictions Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/2025-rule- updates See game manual for details once released!

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Batteries • Only COTS batteries at events • No custom batteries from individual cells Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/2025-rule- updates

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Updated device reqs Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/2025-rule- updates See game manual for details once released!

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Day 1 of Regionals • Pits close immediately after practice matches Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/piloting-regional- event-changes-in-2025

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Alliance Selection • Begins 8 minutes after scores are posted for the final qualification match • Up to 3 team representatives, (one adult can go with two students) • 45 seconds to make their pick in round 1 • 90 seconds to make their pick in round 2 • 2-minute break between picking rounds • Only bring out an Alliance Captain when it’s their time to pick Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/alliance- selection-task-force-update

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Advancement • In 2025, winning captain, winning alliance 1st pick, impact and EI advance • Plus week 5/6 regional pool with points • In 2026, changes again Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/regional- advancement-task-force-update

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Update your radio! • Boot loop • Can’t compete if you haven’t Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/important-radio-firmware-update

frcawards@nycfirst.org Changes (awards)

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Award change • Rookie Inspiration award retired • Optional Rising All Star added (young teams) • rookie • turnover Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/award-updates- for-the-2025-season

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Impact change • Changes to executive summary questions Source: https://community.firstinspires.org/award-updates- for-the-2025-season

frcawards@nycfirst.org (Submitted) Awards Committee

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Goal of the awards committee • Increase the number of NYC/HVR teams submitting awards • Strengthen submitted awards • Hopefully have more NYC winners! (Created in 2023-2024 season)

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org We can help • Contact us at frcawards@nycfirst.org • Outline feedback • Essay review • Remote practice interviewing Please don’t wait until the night before to contact us!

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Overview WFFA Deans Impact Who 1 Mentor 2 Students 10-11 grade 1 Team What submit 3000 char essay Five 800 char One 500 char Over a dozen 500 character answers 10K char essay Day of N/A 6-10 minute interview Up to 3 students 12 minutes including up to 7 minutes presentations Submission due Thurs 2/6/25, 3pm Thurs 2/6/25, 3pm Thurs 2/13/25, 3pm

frcawards@nycfirst.org Deans List

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Criteria • Demonstrated leadership and commitment to the FIRST Core Values • Discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork, fun • Effectiveness at increasing awareness of FIRST in their school and community • Demonstrates passion for a long-term commitment to FIRST • The student’s individual contributions to their team contribute to the overall success of the team • Proven experience in areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) • The student is a role model and can motivate and lead fellow team members

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Essay 1.Explain how the student embodies the philosophies of Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition through the FIRST Core Values: Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork and Fun. Please provide examples. 2.How has the student increased the awareness of FIRST? Describe the student’s interests and/or plans to continue to engage with FIRST beyond high school. Please provide examples. 3.How does the student's individual contribution to the team benefit the whole? Please provide examples. 4.Describe the students' experience in areas of STEM. This could include but is not limited to skills in engineering, software, CAD, fabrication, etc. Please provide examples. 5.Explain the student’s leadership to their fellow team members. How do they motivate others? What is their leadership style? Please provide examples. 6.Please share anything else you would like us to know about the student, including academic performance, specialized skills, or additional extracurricular activities.

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Essay tips • Brainstorm ideas from team • Be specific, “X is great” or “X is fun to be around” doesn’t help • Write then cut characters if needed • Abbreviate your team name or use your team number • Have nominee proofread for accuracy and comfort • Have someone proofread who has never seen before • Awards committee can provide feedback!

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Make it easy for the judges • Use words of award/FIRST • Show before and after – how has student grown • STAR • Situation • Task • Action • Results Taken

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org At event • Nominees get interview slot for day 2 (Saturday at NYC) • Can trade slots if need (ex: driver is a nominee) • Can bring one adult mentor into room • Moral support • Write down questions • Feedback afterwards • Judges take careful notes as must sell nominee. (No re-interview at champs)

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Interview tips • Practice • Team/mentor • Someone from other team (award committee can help!) • Someone not associated with FIRST • Do at least one practice in person • Answer succinctly • Give examples and facts • Reread essay night before or that morning • Help the judges get to know you • What would the judge write about you?

frcawards@nycfirst.org Woodie Flowers Finalist

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Criteria Some or all of: • Level of student participation; • Creativity of effort; • Clear explanation of mathematical, scientific, and engineering concepts; • Demonstration of enthusiasm for Science, Technology, and Engineering; • Encouragement to work on projects as a team effort; • Inspiration to use problem-solving skills; • Inspiration to become an effective communicator; and • Motivation through communication

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Data to submit • Select an Eligible Mentor • Occupation • Position on team • Adult Reference (Must Select an Eligible Mentor on the team) • Occupation • Adult Reference (Any FIRST affiliation) • First Name, Last Name • Phone Number • E-mail Address • Upload Pictures (1 required headshot photo of the mentor alone, up to (3) three additional photos, all photos no more than 1.0 MB total) • Essay (Character max: 3,000) - Once candidates’ information and essays are submitted, they are sorted and posted on a private, password- protected site where only the judges can read the entries.

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Essay tips • Brainstorm ideas from team • Be specific, “I learn from X” doesn’t help • Write then cut characters if needed • Have nominee proofread for accuracy and comfort • Have someone proofread who has never seen before

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Photo tips • Action photos; see mentor at work! • If you don’t have a photo, stage one

frcawards@nycfirst.org Impact Award

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Criteria • Describe the impact of the FIRST program on team participants within the last 3 years. Think about percentages of those graduating high school, attending college, in STEM careers, leadership skills, and serving as mentors/sponsors in FIRST programs • Describe your community along with its unique opportunities and circumstances. Think about your geographic region, diversity of town/school, language barriers, socioeconomic barriers, and cultural expectation • Describe the team’s methods, with emphasis on the past 3 years, for spreading the FIRST mission in ways that are effective, scalable, sustainable, and creative [was FIRST message]. • Describe your team’s goals and the progress you have made towards them to fulfill FIRST’s Vision. • What impact has your team seen from your efforts described in the above question? How does your team measure impact? • Please provide specific examples of how your team and team members act as role models for the FIRST community with emphasis on the past 3 years. How do you share these best practices with other teams?

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Criteria (cont) • Describe your team’s initiatives to Assist, Mentor, and/or Start other FIRST teams with emphasis on activities within the past 3 years. • What other initiatives have you created, grown, sustained, or participated in (FIRST or otherwise) to help inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators? What outcomes have you seen from your efforts in the past 3 years? • Describe the partnerships and relationships that you've created with other organizations (teams, sponsors, educational institutions, government, philanthropic entities, etc.) and what you have accomplished together, with emphasis on the past 3 years. • Describe your team's efforts in the past 3 years to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within your team, FIRST, and your communities. • Explain how you ensure your team and the initiatives you have created will be sustainable.

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Submission Tips • You don’t have to do everything • Essay shouldn’t repeat executive summary. Details, anecdotes • Limit to past 3 (ish) years and focus on last 12-18 months • Read impact definitions (ex: started vs mentored) • Be clear what new vs what continuing

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Examples of details • How many teams mentor? • How many hours? • If expanded a program, what do? How many hours? • If continued a program, how make it part of culture? • Story for context when compelling

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Interview tips • 7 minutes prepared remarks, 5 minutes Q&A • Can show slides/video/handouts/skit • Meet earlier and get ready • Practice night before • 1-3 students • One mentor can come with you • Decide who in advance • Write down questions, feedback, note timing • Go over afterwards

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Iterate • If go to more than one regional • Practice with team and/or mentors • Parents are helpful for practice too • Practice online (awards committee can help) • Do in person practice too!

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Choosing your (up to) three presenters • Enthusiasm • Represent parts of team • Dedicated • Plan ahead • Try to avoid people with the most critical roles at comp • Not a public speaking contest!

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Almost final tips • Sometimes to access awards the coach must set a student as an awards submitter • Do not wait to the last day / hour / minute to submit, the portal usually has problems on the last day when everyone is trying to be on it. • You can keep modifying your submission until the last moment, some teams will post an old submission or latest revision constantly. • If you do not submit, you are automatically ineligible for the award(s) • Look at other team’s past winning submissions https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/frc/first-impact-award- resources

frcawards@nycfirst.org Celebrate your Team

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Submitted awards • Not just for the judges • Make your team happy too!

frcawards@nycfirst.org frcawards@nycfirst.org Remember, we can help • Contact us at frcawards@nycfirst.org • Outline feedback • Essay review • Remote practice interviewing Please don’t wait until the night before to contact us!