All-Star Rookie Award/ Chairman's award?

[RoboticX3Kitty]

Hi, this year team 4038 has just joined FIRST, I had questions about the rookie award. How do you we print a copy of the application? Does anyone know if we are to submit it online? Oh and do we turn the DVD in online or submit it to the judge's on the day of competition?


Thanks!!!

[lemiant]

I am wondering the same thing. Can someone who knows post?

[the man]

Wait is there some kind of application for the rookie all-star award? I thought they judged it at the competitions.

[Lil' Lavery]

Rookie All-Star is judged at the event. There are no mandatory submissions for the award, but having info sheets about your team and/or robot to give to the judges can be helpful.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Rookie All-Star is judged at the event. There are no mandatory submissions for the award,

While this is correct, rookie teams getting a NASA grant need to submit Chairman's submissions, at least the essay portion. Those essays can be used to assist in judging, as well.

[PayneTrain]

I suggest that rookies prepare something chairman's-esque. I imagine outreach isn't a big thing, but write an essay about how your team started, what kickoff was like, how build season was, and what knowledge and experience you gained in finishing your final product.

RAS teams usually do well at the Regional Qualifiers, but you also need to display that you understand how meaningless that is in the grand scheme of all things FIRST. Practice gracious professionalism. Go up to other teams and talk to them. Be personable with the judges and be a presence in the stands.

The fact that you were looking for an application puts you ahead of a lot of other rookies. You took the initiative to pursue the award; now go spread the word about what you've done to your school and community, and be prepared for your regional or districts. Teams on here can help you plan it all out so you don't freak out upon arrival.

[Programmer3941]

My rookie team submitted an essay and executive summary online (even though we're not doing anything with a NASA grant) and is preparing a video and tricked-out notebook. However, we have also been preparing for a "Judges' Interview." Is that just a component of Chairman's Award submissions, or is that a necessary part of getting the Rookie All-Star Award (or do all teams do that?)?
I suppose, from reading this thread, that we at least need printed copies of our essays and our DVD for the judges at our event.

Any guidance along these lines would be much appreciated.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Programmer3941

My rookie team submitted an essay and executive summary online (even though we're not doing anything with a NASA grant) and is preparing a video and tricked-out notebook. However, we have also been preparing for a "Judges' Interview." Is that just a component of Chairman's Award submissions, or is that a necessary part of getting the Rookie All-Star Award (or do all teams do that?)?
I suppose, from reading this thread, that we at least need printed copies of our essays and our DVD for the judges at our event.

Any guidance along these lines would be much appreciated.

For the Chairman's, the judges get a few of your team in a room off to the side for a few minutes. That's where the DVD is given and the presentation/interview happens. As rookies, you aren't eligible for Chairman's. As such, you won't get that interview.

Your judges' interview, as rookies, is whenever the RAS judges stop by your pit. That's when you'd hand them the essay and/or a DVD. It's much more informal, and there isn't a "presentation" per se. You can also have the DVD playing in the pit on a dedicated laptop, or some similar device, all day if you want to.

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by RoboticX3Kitty

Hi, this year team 4038 has just joined FIRST, I had questions about the rookie award. How do you we print a copy of the application? Does anyone know if we are to submit it online? Oh and do we turn the DVD in online or submit it to the judge's on the day of competition? Thanks!!!

Rookies are not eligible for Chairman's Award consideration. However there are many rookie teams who are required to prepare and submit a Chairman's Award entry as part of the terms of receiving a grant, such as the NASA grants.

Preparing any documentation to help with team sustainability is always a good thing. Lots of teams prepare a "chairman's-type" essay to help with this process of documenting what their team is and where it is going.

There is no scheduled interview time for "competing" for "Rookie All Star" or "Rookie Inspiration" awards. If your team has documentation, such as a Chairman's Award entry, feel free to give a copy of it to the judges who visit your pit to talk to the team on Friday/Sat. morning. These assigned judges will take this documentation back to the judges room. You can also give them documentation like scrapbooks and binders which will be returned to your pit on Sat.

This documentation, including written or dvd's, may (or may not) be used for consideration of awards such as Rookie All-Star. It is up to the judges.

[Jim Wilks]

Originally Posted by EricH

Your judges' interview, as rookies, is whenever the RAS judges stop by your pit.

The challenge is you won't likely know which of the many judges who stop by are the RAS judges. However, making a good impression with any judge is desirable.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

From Section 6 Awards...

6.4.2 First-Year (Rookie) and NASA Grant Teams
Because the Chairman’s Award recognizes sustained excellence and impact, not just a one (1) year team effort, it
is not possible for a first year (rookie) team to receive this honor. FIRST does, however, invite and encourage
rookies to develop a Chairman’s Award submission which may be evaluated by the judges determining the winner
of the Rookie All-Star Award.

and...

Rookie Teams: If you prepare a Regional Chairman’s Award submission, you must print a copy to give the
Judges when they visit you at your Pit Station. Judges will not be viewing them online.
Teams receiving NASA Grants must provide a copy of this submission as part of the grant.

Judges will come to your pit throughout the day on Friday (of three day events) and Saturday morning. They want to talk to students so adults should step back and only answer questions directed at them or that the students cannot answer. In general, judges visit in pairs and wear blue shirts. They understand that you may have a match coming up and will instruct you as to when they will try to return to talk with your students. They want to hear what you have done right and what problems you might have had. They want to know what you have overcome and how the team interacts as a whole.

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by jgw

The challenge is you won't likely know which of the many judges who stop by are the RAS judges.

They are the ones who aren't just asking about building the robot.

[Programmer3941]

I would like to thank all who posted in this thread and responded to my previous post for their guidance and advice; Team 3941 went on to win the Rookie All-Star Award at the Chesapeake Regional. Our notebook, video, essays, and (especially) talks with judges factored heavily into that honor.

Thanks again!

[rsisk]

CongrAtulations on your Rookie All Star award. Hope to see you in St Loius

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations! The award shows that you are doing the right things to get started in FRC. I am proud of you and the team for this special recognition.