Questions to work on with your team

Unified Robotics 

2026 Team Interview

OVERVIEW

On competition day, your team will be interviewed by a group of 3-4 judges, including professionals with FIRST Robotics and Special Olympics. The questions below are exactly what they will ask your team members. You are welcome to prepare with note cards, pictures, or any other pieces that support your team member contributions to the interview. Not all members need to participate in the direct answers to the judges, but the contributions of your entire team should be evident in your answers. 

Interviews will contribute to the selection of teams for the 4 awards categories listed below. 

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1.     How did your team work together and divide the work of getting your robot ready for competition day? 

2.     How has the design or programming of your robot changed over time, and how does this design now support the mission completion? Early pictures/drawings welcome!

3.     How did you select the missions your robot would complete from the missions on the challenge mat? 

4.     What is one issue your team faced during the engineering process and how did your team overcome that? 

5.     What benefits do you see from being a Unified Team and having students with and without intellectual disabilities working together? 

6.     How did you bring your school spirit to this team and robotics experience?

AWARD CATEGORIES

·       Robot Design - The Robot Design Award celebrates the team that demonstrates a professional approach to the design process. The team must be able to describe the engineering process they went through and can trace elements of the design from conception. The design reflects an engineering solution to a specific problem, and it is functional and practical. The design is elegant and advantageous on the field of play.

·       Robot Performance - The Robot Performance Award celebrates the team that scores the highest on the playing field.

·       Outstanding Team - The Outstanding Team Award celebrates outstanding demonstration of an inclusive community. The successful team provides the best opportunity for participants to enjoy and appreciate other's gifts, both on and off the field, celebrating the two core values of meaningful involvement and gracious professionalism. 

·       Team Spirit - The Team Spirit Award celebrates the team with the most energy and enthusiasm for the competition, including cheering and t-shirt design.