View Single Post
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-04-2013, 11:57
Unsung FIRST Hero
RoboMom RoboMom is offline
people expediter on Team Kluge
AKA: Jenny Beatty, no relation
no team (they are all my teams)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,067
RoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond reputeRoboMom has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Explaining the FIRST Competition to Others...

The FIRST elevator pitch can often be a challenge. But there are some great materials already out there. One of my favorites is: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...d-2010-WEB.pdf

This year at the Chesapeake Regional we introduced a new visitor program, involving VIPs, invited guests, team guests, media, and walk ins.

We called it "FIRST Stop".

Our goal was to break down the visiting experience in small chunks and let visitors decide what they wanted to absorb. We had lots of trained student ambassadors, the "menu", designated "stations" throughout the venue, adult ambassadors. Graphics and printing were provided by SAIC, working with us.

We also ran a TEDx "Adventure" program where visitors who signed up through TEDxBaltimore got a special one-hour behind the scenes look at the event, teams, volunteers, and FIRST program.

We had talking points for each "stop", including most of your questions.

I am a huge fan of having student ambassadors at the events. We have involved the students as guides for years here. They are trained in how to do the elevator pitch, how to ask questions, and they practice the talking points and many really shine in this role.

We are still collecting input from all the invested parties but I think this program mostly worked really well.

So we may have some best practices and materials to pass on to help at the events. Give us some time to do a proper evaluation.

There will be student ambassador program at the Championship. Consider asking about joining the group.

I am not involved with this at the Championship, but would be happy to give you my 5 minute training. I am helping to train some of the St. Louis Convention Bureau people and will have my training materials. I will often be around the information/registration area. Look for the fishing vest... and I like my coffee no sugar, 2 creams.
__________________
Co-Founder of NEMO (Non-Engineering Mentor Organization) www.firstnemo.org
Volunteer Director, STEMaction, Inc. www.stemaction.org
FIRST Senior Mentor: Nov. 2004 to June 2009: "Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again"
This is How I Work: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2862

Last edited by RoboMom : 15-04-2013 at 12:53.
Reply With Quote