[rsisk]

All great suggestions and I will add a few more.

Look at the definition of the awards in the manuals and understand what the judges are looking for. Have a couple of your team members that will be in the pits the majority of the time well versed on possible answers to the questions.

Speak loudly and clearly when talking to the judges. They want to hear what you have to say and it would be a shame if they cannot hear you.

At some regionals, judges divide into teams that focus on machine attributes and team attributes and you should be able to figure out which aspects they are looking for based on their first couple of questions. Keep your answers focused in this area. If they are asking about your outreach to the community, try to keep your answer focused in that area.

Make sure all students in the pit are able to talk to a judge for at least basic answers. Things like how is the team doing at the competition, why are they there, etc. Judges may talk to anyone on the team and everyone should be able to give basic answers.

Watch your behavior at the competition at all times. Judges are observing teams even if the are not talking with them. Nothing worse than to be showing bad GP when a judge is walking by the pit. It will be noted and could eliminate you from being considered for an award.

Judges have to remember a lot of stuff. A simple handout with your team number and information that is relevant to the awards can be given to the judges. They can then use this later when deciding on the awards to help refresh their memory. Keep is pointed and well organized because a lot of information is being processed by the judges.

Practice with your team before the competition. Have parents or mentors look at the award criteria and ask you questions. It would be best to have someone the team is not familiar with ask the questions since they probably will not be familiar with the judges either.

Remember that the judges really want to hear what you have to say. You can be comfortable but respectful when talking to them.