2009 VA/DC FLL Championship Tournament Awards

Project Presentation Award:

The purpose of the FLL project presentation is to show that individuals can make a difference by researching a problem, then contributing ideas and solutions to real-world issues.  The Project Awards are presented to the teams whose quality research, innovative solutions and creative presentation best reflect an in-depth understanding of the various scientific disciplines and issues involved with the Challenge Project.

Division 1

  • 1st Place Project Presentation – # 5967, BusLightYearZ
  • 2nd Place Project Presentation – #5711, Lightning LEGO League

Division 2

  • 1st Place Project Presentation – #350, VDOT BOTS
  • 2nd Place Project Presentation – #2036, The Scream Team

Teamwork Award:

Teamwork is necessary to succeed in FIRST LEGO League and is the key ingredient in any team.  This award is presented to the team whose members best demonstrate extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, exceptional partnership, the utmost respect for their own teammates, and in their support and encouragement of fellow teams.  They demonstrated confidence, energy, strong problem solving skills, and group dynamics.

Division 1

  • 1st Place Teamwork – #5291, Titan Transport
  • 2nd Place Teamwork – #7509, Green Machines

Division 2

  • 1st Place Teamwork – #1958, Helios
  • 2nd Place Teamwork – #5361, Team Hakuna Matata

Robot Design Award:

Judges look for teams whose work stands out for its innovation, dependability, or both.  To assess innovation, the judges watch the robots work, looking for things that make them say “Wow!” and they interview team members to reveal the less obvious unique and inventive ideas. 

Division 1

  • 1st Place Robot Design – #193, Nanobots
  • 2nd Place Robot Design – #5312, TransTurtles

Division 2

  • 1st Place Robot Design – #6, Green Panthers
  • 2nd Place Robot Design – #3534, The Blue Dragons

Judges Award:

Many teams do not exactly fit the mold for an existing award, but nonetheless deserve one.  Some teams have a story that profoundly sets them apart in a unique way.  Sometimes a given award is just too close to call.  This award gives the judges the freedom to recognize the most remarkable team for which a standard award does not exist.

Division 1

  • Judges Award – #400, Brainstorms

Division 2

  • Judges Award – #7530, DML Giants
  • Judges Award – #5858, Robosharks

Team Spirit Award:

This award is presented to the team who demonstrated outstanding enthusiasm and spirit for their team and for the entire FLL experience.

Division 1

  • Team Spirit Award – #1895, CAMS Robo Patriots

Division 2

  • Team Spirit Award – #6317, Road Cones

Robot Performance Award:

This award is presented to the teams whose robot achieved the best score on the competition field.

Division 1

  • 1st Place Robot Performance – #4154, NXT Squad - 370
  • 2nd Place Robot Performance – #1055, Sea Monsters - 345

Division 2

  • 1st Place Robot Performance – #3099, Smart-E - 390
  • 2nd Place Robot Performance – #2864, LynTech Green – 370 (there was a three way tie for 2nd place along with The Blue Dragons and Ashburn Robotics NXTreme and the second highest score was used as the tie breaker)

Overall Champion Award:

To be considered for the Champion's Award, teams must perform well in the equally weighted technical and team presentation categories. The FLL experience is more than building robots or attending competitions.  It begins with the robot, but most importantly, it is defined by how the children unite to form a team.  The program impacts each of them as individuals and as team members.

The Champion’s Award celebrates the ultimate success of the FIRST mission and FLL Values. It measures how the children inspire and motivate others about the accessibility, excitement, and wonders of science, technology, and engineering while demonstrating respect, encouragement, and continued gracious professionalism. The winning team receives the honor of serving as a valued role model for FIRST and the FIRST LEGO League Program.

Division 1

  • 1st Place Overall Champion – #2007, ROBOWIZ
  • 2nd Place Overall Champion – #5802, Nysmith Xtra Terrestrials

Division 2

  • 1st place Overall Champion – #6089, Vector 67
  • 2nd Place Overall Champion – #3975, Ashburn Robotics NXTreme

Volunteer Award:

The phenomenal success of the FIRST LEGO League program is a reflection of the commitment and enthusiasm our volunteers display.  In fact, every single person who organizes and supports FLL in Virginia and DC is a volunteer.  This annual award gives FIRST and FIRST LEGO League the opportunity to honor the dedication of one or more volunteers across the state whose assistance and devotion has helped to change the lives of children for the future.

  • Bill and Susan Duggins Volunteer Award – Nick Swayne
  • Volunteer Award – Mark Allen
  • Volunteer Award – Justin Koca
  • Volunteer Award – Steve Scherr

Special recognition:

  • Ally Curran
  • Julia Oates

Nomination to World Festival:

While VA/DC did not receive an invitation this year through the annual lottery to send a team to the World Festival in Atlanta this upcoming April, we are hopeful that the team we are nominating for a core values spot will be selected to represent our region.  We are also excited to announce that the Virginia Technology Alliance has stepped forward to pay the $1,000 registration fee for our core values nominee if they are selected by FIRST to attend the World Festival.  The team who will be receiving our core values nomination to the World Festival has demonstrated excellence in the teamwork, research, performance, and design elements of this year’s challenge and we are proud to nominate them to represent Virginia and DC.

Congratulations to team #6089, Vector 67!