[OScubed]

One thing you should do RIGHT AWAY is to strike while the iron is hot on your newly minted award. You should create a Press Release that indicates your triumph and explains the importance of the IE award, and that it would let your team travel to the Nationals. It should also explain that the team needs major sponsors right away or you won't be able to go. If you need help with how to write a press release - ask here, I bet there's tons of teams that have done so. Once the press release is written - send it to every media outlet in your city or town. Be sure to include pictures. Offer to schedule a press day to demo the robot. Press releases are FREE PUBLICITY but the news MUST be fresh - something a week old is OLD NEWS. Preferably you should do this on Monday.

When writing your press release keep the following in mind:
ONE PAGE - no more. You can provide more background about FIRST and your team in a separate document.
WHO - who are you, why would a reader find it interesting or important.
WHAT - what was accomplished and HOW did you accomplish it.
WHEN - when did it happen
WHERE - where did it happen
WHY is this important to your community, and/or your school and individuals
HOW can people contact you to get more information and/or to donate funds

Hope this helps,
Lee