Writing the 12 Executive Summaries

What the executive summaries are#

The submission includes 12 executive summary questions, and each answer is "limited to 500 characters including spaces and punctuation." That is roughly 75-90 words — about three or four tight sentences. The summaries are meant to be information- and data-driven. Judges often read these first, so they form the first impression of your entire team. There is also a 13th, optional item that is not a summary at all: it is a feedback question the team asks the judges, who answer it after each event (covered at the end of this lesson). It has its own, shorter limit of 250 characters.

The 12 questions (official wording is on the Submitted Awards webpage)#

The 12 executive summary questions cover, in order: (1) the impact of the team's program on its participants over the last 3 years; (2) your community and its unique opportunities and circumstances; (3) your methods for spreading the FIRST mission; (4) your team's goals and progress toward fulfilling FIRST's vision; (5) the impact you have seen from those efforts; (6) examples of how your team and its members act as role models; (7) initiatives to Mentor and/or Start other FIRST teams; (8) other initiatives you created, grew, or participated in to inspire young people; (9) partnerships and relationships with other organizations; (10) efforts to promote STEM for Everyone; (11) how you ensure the team and its initiatives will be sustainable; and (12) one area in which the team needs to improve and the steps you are taking. The optional 13th feedback question is your own question to the judges.

How to write within 500 characters#

• Lead with the number. "Started 3 FLL teams (90 students) in 2 years; all still active" beats "We are passionate about starting new teams."
• Use the official verbs. Started, Mentored, Hosted, Reached, Advocated — judges check for correct usage.
• One idea per sentence. Pack each summary with concrete, verifiable facts, not adjectives.
• Tie to your theme. Even at 500 characters, every answer should reinforce the central message you chose in Getting Organized.
• Mind question 12. The "area to improve" question is not a trap. Judges respect honest self-assessment paired with a plan; a non-answer hurts you.

Common mistakes#

• Repeating the same flagship program in every box. Spread your evidence so each answer adds new information.
• Vague Reach claims with no basis. Say "reached ~2,000 via a YouTube tutorial series (2,000 views)" not "reached thousands."
• Listing without impact. Naming ten activities with no outcomes is weaker than three activities with measured results.
• Going over the limit. The portal enforces the character cap strictly; write in a counter and trim ruthlessly.

Treat the feedback question strategically#

The optional 13th item lets you request coaching: judges fill out feedback for every interviewed team and answer your submitted question. Ask something genuinely useful, e.g., "What is one thing we could do to make our outreach more sustainable?" The judging guidelines warn that questions "asking what is required to win or inappropriate questions" will simply not be answered. Keep it specific and improvement-focused.