Tips to increase your chances of winning an award at the nationals

[thoughtful]

Hello,

There are many awards that are given at the nationals. I want to ask all the teams that have previously recieved these awards to give us, the younger and unfamiliar teams, some advice that will help us stand out to the judges.

I heard that some teams have special handouts or demonstrations for the judges. Please let us know what kind of techniques you have used to make yourself unique.

Thanks in advance :)

[Conor Ryan]

I haven't been around very long, or been to the championship before, but I've noticed one thing that would definetly help in the short time i've been around, practise or outline what you plan on saying so you don't leave anything important out (yes it does happen), and organization always helps and makes you look good.

[RoboMom]

RoboMom's Unofficial Hints to help the judges:
1. Judging is hard work. Judges visit lots of teams in a short amount of time. All teams start out on equal footing.
2. READ over the awards. Decide which ones (2 or 3) you are really competitive for. Understand what these awards are for.
3. When the judges stop by, pay attention. Designate team members to do the talking. Be efficient. Know what you want to say and speak up. Pretend you have 3-4 minutes to sell your team, your business plan, your drive system, your image, etc. and then do it. Don't ramble on and on and them realize something really important after they leave. Be professional. Smile. Thank the judges for their time. If you can't answer a question, grab the person on the team that can.
4. Keep your pit orderly. It matters.
5. Judges ask other teams/refs/volunteers/field crew for their advice. How your team acts in the stands/halls/bathrooms/outside matters. Your actions are observed even if you aren't being "interviewed." Be helpful to others.
6. Handouts/giveaways may/may not help. It depends how they are done.
7. Judging is an art, with a little science thrown in. And did I say it's hard work?
8. With the queue, the teams on the field and coming off the field this year, the judges know there are times you won't be in your pit. But someone needs to be there to let the judges know when you are expected back. It's ok for this person to say "could you come back in 15 minutes and I will make sure the person you need to speak with is here?"
8. None of what I have posted above should come as a surprise to anyone in FIRST.

[Billfred]

8. With the queue, the teams on the field and coming off the field this year, the judges know there are times you won't be in your pit. But someone needs to be there to let the judges know when you are expected back. It's ok for this person to say "could you come back in 15 minutes and I will make sure the person you need to speak with is here?"

For those teams with slightly smaller numbers, would one of those "Will Return" clocks do the job?

[Alex Cormier]

my one and only suggestion, also a little help why we won the Radio shack award at Buckeye. Get a hand out to the refs designated to an award. We had a 3 fold pamphlet devoted to what we did with Auto and our electronic/software. it was great when they announced on what won the award they pulled stuff from the pamphlet. so it works! get out making those hand-outs.