Binder

The Impact Binder

The Impact Binder is an optional supplemental resource that teams may provide to judges during their Impact interview. It serves as a way to categorize, organize, and provide evidence of your outreach efforts. Since FIRST emphasizes evidence-based outreach, the binder helps validate and showcase your team’s impact.

What to Include in the Impact Binder

1. Table of Contents

FIRST provides official documentation forms to help structure your binder. Each event should include:

• Event Name

• Location

• Date

• FIRST’s Official Definition of the event type

• Type of Documentation (e.g., photos, emails, thank-you cards)

2. Outreach Event Sections

Each outreach event should have its own page or section that includes:

• Description of the event

• Goals and impact

• Evidence (photos, testimonials, emails, media coverage, etc.)

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FIRST Official Outreach Definitions

FIRST uses specific definitions to categorize outreach efforts. Your team should accurately classify each initiative using the terms below:

Team Support Definitions

• Started – Your team has started another FIRST team if you have done at least one of the following:

  • Funded at least 50% of the team’s registration fee

  • Introduced them to FIRST and helped them register

• Mentored – Your team has mentored another FIRST team if you:

  • Provided consistent communication (in-person, virtual, email, etc.)

  • Helped with technical or non-technical FIRST program challenges

  • The mentored team confirms that your team mentored them

• Assisted – Your team has assisted another team if you:

  • Provided some form of communication or support (technical or non-technical)

  • Provided funding and/or supplies

  • The assisted team confirms your team helped them

• Provided Published Resources – Your team has created and shared educational materials to support other teams. These must be:

  • Published online, in print, or through presentations

  • Designed to help with technical or non-technical FIRST challenges

Event Support Definitions

• Ran an Event – Your team has planned and executed an event if:

  • Team members were responsible for the majority of the planning

  • Team members executed or supervised volunteers throughout the event

• Hosted an Event – Your team has hosted an event if:

  • It took place at a team facility or a venue arranged by the team

• Supported an Event – Your team has supported an event if:

  • Multiple members participated in planning or executing the event

  • Multiple members volunteered for the entire duration of the event

Community Engagement Definitions

• Reached – Your team has reached someone if they have interacted with or observed your team in some capacity, either digitally or in person.

• Advocated – Your team has engaged in advocacy if you have:

  • Met with government officials, community leaders, school administrators, or business leaders to promote STEM/FIRST

  • Developed relationships with these groups to support public policy changes that promote STEM/FIRST

  • Served as a resource for officials and leaders as they create public policy changes related to STEM/FIRST

For more details, visit firstinspires.org.

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Final Tips

• Stay organized – Judges will appreciate a clear, well-structured binder.

• Use visuals – Photos, charts, and testimonials help showcase your impact.

• Cross-reference with your essay – Ensure consistency between your essay, executive summaries, and binder.

• Bring extra copies – If possible, provide a digital version or printed summary pages for judges.