FIRST Robotics Competition Chairman's Award

The **FIRST Robotics Competition Chairman's Award** is the highest honor a team can earn in FRC, recognizing groups that best embody the **FIRST mission** of inspiring students in science, technology, engineering, and math while building strong outreach and community impact. Instead of focusing only on robot performance, this award evaluates a team’s overall program, including mentorship, inclusivity, community engagement, and long-term sustainability. Students help document their efforts, prepare presentations, and speak with judges about how their team advances STEM and the values of FIRST. This opportunity is well suited for students who are interested in **leadership, communication, community service, and program development**, in addition to engineering and programming. Team members involved with the Chairman’s Award often work on impact essays, outreach planning, public speaking, and strategic organization—skills that are valuable in many fields. Participation can strengthen **college applications** by demonstrating sustained commitment, leadership roles, collaboration across diverse groups, and the ability to plan and evaluate long-term projects. Students gain experience presenting complex ideas clearly, working with mentors and community partners, and reflecting on their team’s growth over time, all of which can be highlighted in essays and interviews. For more information on the award criteria and submission process, visit the **FIRST** website.