Awards Level 2 - Award Strategy & Documentation

Learning Objective

Apply Level 1's foundation to real FRC judging logistics: build and maintain the team's judges' binder to FIRST's own formatting guidance (a single bound unit, sized to fit a 2" 3-ring binder, covering the team's last three seasons), learn the general pit-interview format (organic timing, judges arriving unannounced, the Split Judging/Split Awards models, keeping 2-3 students at the pit at all times) as distinct from the Impact and Leadership Awards' scheduled formats, and practice pitch delivery using real extemporaneous-speaking technique. This level is self-guided and typically takes a couple of months; completing it means you can perform most of the day-to-day award documentation and interview-readiness work the team needs.

Prerequisites

• Awards Level 1 - Award Understanding
• Project Management Level 1 - Personal Organization

Primary Resources

• FIRST: Judge Manual
• FIRST: Inside Look at the Judging Process
• National Speech & Debate Association: Self-Guided Student Learning

Tasks

1. Award Targeting

   • Identify which real judged awards the team will pursue this season (excluding the Impact and Leadership Awards, which are handled in the Business and Leadership modules)
   • Set submission timelines
   • Create award action plans
   • Develop success metrics

2. Judges' Binder

   • Build the team's judges' binder to FIRST's real formatting guidance (single bound unit, fits a 2" 3-ring binder, covers the last three seasons)
   • Create detailed templates
   • Implement tracking tools
   • Manage digital assets

3. Presentation Development

   • Learn the general (unscheduled) pit-interview format and the Split Judging/Split Awards models
   • Practice extemporaneous pitch delivery (e.g. using NSDA's free self-guided resources)
   • Develop visual materials
   • Practice Q&A scenarios

4. Team Coordination

   • Lead submission teams
   • Coordinate documentation efforts
   • Manage review processes
   • Ensure quality control

Level 2 Completion Requirements

• Build and maintain a real judges' binder to FIRST's formatting guidance
• Successfully lead a pit-interview readiness effort for at least one competition
• Create a season award-targeting plan (excluding the Impact and Leadership Awards)
• Demonstrate effective Q&A handling in a mock interview

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