This article details the criteria for each award used within VEX Robotics Competition events. It is written for judges, Judge Advisors, Event Partners, and volunteers.
Definitions of the terms used here are maintained in the central Glossary.
For the award categories and the required award structure, see Awards and Recognition Structure.
The following awards are used within VEX Robotics Competition events. Event Partners may offer additional awards where permitted by official event policies and guidance.
Across the Judged Awards, judges look for effective communication, teamwork, professionalism, and a strong student-centered ethos. For awards centered on the robot and its documentation, they also look for consistency between the team's Engineering Notebook, Team Interview, and robot. The criteria listed under each award below focus on what sets that award apart.
Excellence Award
The Excellence Award is the highest honor presented at a VEX Robotics Competition event. This award recognizes a team that demonstrates overall excellence in both judged and performance categories.
Teams considered for the Excellence Award should demonstrate strong competitive performance, a high-quality engineering design process, effective communication, professionalism, teamwork, and authentic student ownership throughout the season. Recipients are expected to demonstrate achievement both on and off the competition field and serve as strong examples of student-centered participation, engineering excellence, and positive competition culture.
Key Criteria
- Meets all criteria of the Design Award, including a Fully Developed Engineering Notebook and strong Team Interview.
- Demonstrates an iterative, student-driven Engineering Design Process.
- Is a strong candidate for other Judged Awards.
- Exhibits positive conduct and sportsmanship.
- Finishes in the top 40% of teams in:
- Qualification Rankings
- Robot Skills Rankings
- Autonomous Coding Skills Rankings (with a score above zero)
Notes
- The Excellence Award is a required award if judging occurs at an event.
- At certain blended events, separate Excellence Awards may be presented by grade level as defined by the Event Qualification Guide.
Design Award
The Design Award recognizes a team that demonstrates an organized, student-driven Engineering Design Process through their Engineering Notebook and Team Interview. It shows evidence of identifying problems, evaluating solutions, testing ideas, and documenting improvements throughout the season.
Key Criteria
- Has a Fully Developed Engineering Notebook that ranks among the strongest at the event.
- Demonstrates an iterative, student-driven Engineering Design Process.
- Demonstrates effective management of time, people, and resources.
- Clearly explains robot design, strategy, and decision-making.
Notes
- A Fully Developed Engineering Notebook is required for this award.
- The Design Award is a required award if judging occurs at an event.
- Performance in the notebook and interview may also support consideration for other awards.
- At certain blended events, separate Design Awards may be presented by grade level as defined by the Event Qualification Guide.
Innovate Award
The Innovate Award recognizes a team that demonstrates a novel and well-documented aspect of their robot design or gameplay strategy. This award celebrates creativity, originality, and the team's ability to develop and explain an innovative solution through the Engineering Design Process.
Key Criteria
- Demonstrates a unique or uncommon design element, strategy, or feature that is in use at the event.
- Clearly documents the development of that innovation from initial concept through implementation.
- Has a Fully Developed Engineering Notebook that provides a clear, complete, and organized record of the Engineering Design Process.
- Demonstrates independent inquiry and student ownership throughout the design process.
- Demonstrates effective management of time, people, and resources.
- Clearly explains robot design, strategy, and decision-making.
- Meets all criteria of the Design Award.
Notes
- The intent of this award is to recognize innovations that are creative, original, well-documented, and actively used by the team at the event.
- Commonplace, basic, or unused design features should not be considered for this award.
Think Award
The Think Award recognizes excellence in coding, programming, and software development. Teams considered for this award should demonstrate effective use of programming, sensors, automation, troubleshooting, and software design to improve robot functionality and performance.
Key Criteria
- Participates in the Autonomous Coding Skills Challenge and achieves a score greater than zero.
- Demonstrates well-organized, understandable, and documented code.
- Clearly explains their programming strategy and how their code solves game challenges.
- Demonstrates an organized approach to programming development and version management.
- Students understand and can explain how they collaborated to develop the code.
- Programming is effective in both Qualification Matches and the Autonomous Coding Skills Challenge.
Amaze Award
The Amaze Award recognizes a team that has built a highly capable, competitive, and consistently performing robot. This award celebrates robots that perform at a high level while demonstrating thoughtful engineering and execution.
Key Criteria
- Robot consistently contributes to successful match performance.
- Robot performs well in both Driving Skills and Autonomous Coding Skills.
- Programming effectively supports game play in matches and skills challenges.
- Students understand and can explain their robot design and game strategy.
Build Award
The Build Award recognizes excellence in robot construction, craftsmanship, reliability, and attention to detail. The Build Award celebrates quality engineering and construction practices.
Key Criteria
- Robot construction is durable, robust, and reliable.
- Robot demonstrates attention to detail, quality, and safety.
- Students understand and can explain their robot design and construction process.
Create Award
The Create Award recognizes a creative engineering solution to the challenges presented by the current season's game. The Create Award celebrates innovation through engineering creativity.
Key Criteria
- Demonstrates a creative and innovative approach to solving game challenges.
- Uses ambitious or unique design solutions to achieve game objectives.
- Students understand and can explain their robot design and game strategy.
Judges Award
The Judges Award allows judges to recognize a team that has demonstrated qualities worthy of recognition but may not fit neatly within another award category. This award may recognize perseverance, resilience, professionalism, growth, team spirit, community impact, or other noteworthy achievements observed throughout the event.
Key Criteria
- Demonstrates exemplary effort, perseverance, or other noteworthy qualities.
- Leaves a positive and memorable impression on the judges.
Notes
- The Judges Award is a required award if judging occurs at an event.
- At the discretion of the Event Partner and Judge Advisor, a second Judges Award may be presented when permitted or required by the event type.
Inspire Award
The Inspire Award recognizes a team that embodies the passion, enthusiasm, and spirit of the VEX Robotics Competition program. Teams considered for this award should demonstrate strong teamwork, positive leadership, and positive impact on their school, community, and the broader robotics community.
Key Criteria
- Exhibits enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
- Demonstrates integrity, respect, and goodwill toward others.
- Overcomes challenges or achieves a meaningful accomplishment.
Sportsmanship Award
The Sportsmanship Award recognizes a team that consistently demonstrates respect, professionalism, fairness, and positive conduct throughout the event. It celebrates teams that exemplify the highest standards of character and professionalism.
Key Criteria
- Treats everyone with courtesy, respect, and kindness.
- Demonstrates cooperation and friendly competition.
- Acts with honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
- Contributes positively to the event experience for others.
Energy Award
The Energy Award recognizes a team that brings enthusiasm, excitement, positivity, and spirit to the competition. It recognizes teams that contribute positively to the event atmosphere through enthusiasm, encouragement, school spirit, and positive engagement with fellow participants.
Key Criteria
- Maintains a high level of energy and positivity.
- Demonstrates a passion for robotics that enhances the event experience for others.
Recognition Awards
Recognition Awards are determined by the Event Partner and are not selected by Judges.
Mentor of the Year Award
Recognizes a mentor who inspires, guides, and supports students in achieving goals and growing in STEM.
Partner of the Year Award
Recognizes an organization that provides outstanding support and resources to make robotics programs accessible and successful.
Teacher of the Year Award
Recognizes a teacher who demonstrates exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to creating a positive educational experience for students.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Recognizes an individual whose dedication, service, and hard work make robotics events and programs possible.