The "R" in FIRST stands for "recognition" and FLL’s award distribution policy is designed to produce an equitable distribution of awards that inspires and celebrates the achievements of as many children as possible. Our policy dictates that no team be given more than one award-- with the exception of Robot Performance, which any team may receive based on points accumulation.
Teams winning awards should be among the highest achievers at a tournament; typically rated exemplary in most rubric categories. However, the objective is not to give every award to the absolute “best” in each category. Instead, the goal is to recognize the entire field of teams in the most appropriate way possible to celebrate the achievements of all teams.
It is important to understand that sometimes our distribution policy means an award may not go to the individual team with the highest ranking in a category if that team is being recognized with another award. Also, note that Special Recognition Awards given to individual coaches and mentors have no impact on eligibility for other team-based awards.
© 2011 The United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST®) and The LEGO Group. Used by special permission. All rights reserved.