Orlando Regionals - A Rookie’s Perspective:FRC Judging 101

Original Presentation by Jenny Beatty Original Title: FRC Judging and Awards 101, Baltimore Area Alliance Workshop Day Presentation

http://www.mdfirst.org/images/stories/documents2011/2012_Judging_101.pdf

Judges wear blue Polo shirts

There are usually different teams of judges looking at different aspects of your

team

Usually Technical Judges & Non-technical/Attributes Judges

Yet many different types of awards

If you’re wearing an InZombiacs Team Shirt, be prepared to answer Judges’

questions…

Technical Judge

Technical Judge asks… Tell me about the design of your robot. What are the special features of your robot? Tell me about programming your robot. What obstacles did you encounter when building,

(wiring, programing, designing, etc.) your robot? How did you overcome the obstacles you encountered

when building (wiring, programing, designing, etc.) the robot?

Non-Technical Judge

Non-Technical Judge asks… Tell me about your business plan. How did you handle Fundraising? What obstacles did you have to overcome as a team? What is your Mission Statement? How did you find your sponsors? What type of outreach have you done? How did or do you recruit team members?

Non-technical Judges will also be observing how you interact as a team (team members and other teams)

Judging at Regionals is hard work!

Help the Judges understand what your team is all about - Tell YOUR unique story.

How you may ask?

Everyone should read and be familiar with the team Chairman’s Essay/Executive Summary

Executive Summary &Chairman’s Essay

1. Know Team Name and Number2. Know Your Corporate Sponsors3. Briefly describe the impact of the FIRST program on

team participants 4. Provide Examples of role model characteristics of your

team5. Describe the impact of the FIRST program on your team

and community 6. Innovative methods used to spread the FIRST message 7. Describe the strength of your partnership 8. Describe the Team’s communication methods and results 9. Other matters of interest to the FIRST judges – Your

unique story…

Often the judges will only have 5

minutes to spend in the pit with the team. Have the students jump in

and “sell” the team. Learn to do

the “Elevator Pitch”

Everyone should Practice an Elevator Pitch

Chairman’s Essay about FIRST, the drive system, the control system, your community, your partners, your appreciation for

engineering, why you designed something the

way you did, your biggest challenge this year, your fundraising strategies, etc.

Specialize before you arrive…

Remember…

Judges will also observe your team in the stands or walking through the venue.

Judges will watch your interaction with other teams on and off the field.

Generally, judges want to wrap up most of their team duties by lunch on Saturday so that they can deliberate which team should be given an award.

Try to always have a student available on the

Friday & Saturday morning in the pit area. If there is no one in the pit (because the entire team is on the field) post a sign saying

when a representative will be back.

Judges work under a very tight time schedule. If there is a minor crisis going on (something needs to be fixed

fast), be polite and ask the judges if they can stop back after the next match.

If the judges want to ask technical questions, and your technical spokesperson is not in the pit, ask the judges if they can return in xx minutes and go get this person.

Judges will not expect that every member of the team know everything.

The Pit Area is LOUD!

Practice speaking up. When a judge enters the pit, stand up. Get rid of the gum. Eye contact. Offer to shake hands (some judges may not want to). Smile. Wait for the judges to ask the leading questions and then answer in short

answers, allowing time for the judges to ask follow-up questions. Introduce yourself and speak enthusiastically. Be honest about the challenges - but even better - if you can talk about how you figured out how to overcome certain challenges.

Don’t forget the “Judging Packet” and point out the “Chairman’s Essay”!

Know Your Judging Packet!

Marketing Packet Sponsors Packet Chairman’s Essay Promotional Brochure OutReach Forms

Engineering Packet Sub-Team Reports? Robot Attributes Form? CAD Drawing? Blueprints? Robot Index Card?

One more time…Judges will be observing your team throughout the entire competition

There are field judges watching both performance and attitude on the field.

What the team members say in the halls, stands, and restrooms will reflect back on the team. Judges may also ask the other volunteers, such as the referees, field crew, and team queuers for their input.

Gracious Professionalism” - means all the time!

Gracious Professionalism knowledge, competition, and empathy blended together

compete like crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness during the process

go up to other teams and talk to them

help other teams

be personable with the judges

be “a presence in the stands”

no tough talk, no sticky-sweet platitudes

“Coopertition”

displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition

concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete

involves learning from teammates

it is teaching teammates it is learning from mentors

it is managing and being managed

competing always, but assisting and enabling others when you can

Review the FRC Manual

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents

Know the Rules of the Game

Some examples: How do we score points... What could we be penalized for... How do you form alliances…

InZombiacs Are Here!

Giving Away Team Buttons Buttons per team member If some one ask for a button have them…

Walk like a Zombie?

Team Cheer

Pit Area Mr. Egitto’s InZombiacs Stand-up InZombiacs Team Flag Judging Packets

Audience Participation Invite Friends and Family Bring Signs Mascot?

T-Shirts and Pajama Bottoms Jeans only when working in Pit Area

Final Word… Marketing, Marketing, Marketing Network, Network, Network Specialize before you arrive (including Pit Area Spokepeople) Always scout your competition and alliances. Scout teams, not

matches. Sometimes very good teams run into very bad luck. Scout early rather than late Be enthusiastic. Yell, cheer, chant, and dance! Don’t be afraid to ask for help Make sure everyone knows about the robot. Being able to have

any team member speak eloquently to the judges is a huge plus! Safety First! Keep Pit Area neat and organized

http://www.firstnemo.org/PDF/first_competition_tips.pdf

Be sure to say Thank-you!

Load In…

Pit Area…

Cheering Section…

Announcing…

Matches…

Alliance…

Teams…