[Cyberguy34000]

"FIRST Robotics is a competition with over 1,000 teams worldwide. Every year we have six weeks to build a robot that plays a game that changes each year. The regional we're attending is just crazy. Kind of a mix between Battle Bots*, a three ring circus, the olympics, and a midnight rave party. Students, engineering mentors, and VIPs in suits are all running around. Hard to picture, but it's a chaotic blast. I love every minute of it."

(pause, let them respond. Part of the elevator pitch is to grab their attention, and give them an idea of what you do. From how they respond to you, you can have some prepared lines about common questions. If you keep your opening somewhat consistent (or can think on you feet), you'll have a lot of common questions that lead to your Part 2 response.)

Common questions I get after this into:

Q: Battle Bots? So you blow each other up?
A: Talk about gracious professionalism, working together towards a common goal. Teamwork 3v3... Don't want to kill your opponents because they may be your partners in the next match.

Q: So who funds all this?
A: each team is responsible for their funding, usually they get it from corporations or their schools as an investment in the future of science and technology... etc... We're always looking for more sponsors! (Hand out card. )

Q: So where is the event being held?
A: Say location, short schedule... Be sure to mention free, open to public. or if this is during build season, invite them to the workshop.

Q: So what do you do on the team?
A: Keep it brief, it's fun to talk about yourself, but it leaves a better impression on people if you can relate it back to how what you do matters on a larger scale.

Q: What's the game?
A: This can be a tricky one, but for examples I've used in the past "A giant game of tic-tac-toe played with intertubes / tetras, a basketball/soccer mishmash played with poofballs... Bonus points for climbing a steep ramp, climbing on top of friendly robots..." You get the idea. Keep it short and sweet, most people don't care about exact point values... if they do they'll be talking to you for FAR longer than just the elevator pitch.

And just take it from there! The important part is to keep your answers informative, but short. To give people chances to respond, ask questions.

Again, these are just suggestions, but it helps to have a jumping off point! Good luck!

-Chris




* -(BTW: I know how FIRST guys feel about Battle Bots, but its a common point of reference for many people, and is actually an excellent bridge into a talk about FIRST Gracious Professionalism, and how it sets us apart.)