Explaining the FIRST Competition to Others...

[Libby K]

Sounds like you're doing it right, really -

Nothing shows off the magnitude of FIRST like being there.

My go-to, if you can't drag someone to competition, is just to have a video or two ready on your phone. (Thank goodness for the 21st century!) I use the Morgan Freeman one.

How I do the 'qualifications' part:
"Well, for the first day of competition, the teams are randomly set up on alliances - one match you could be with the school down the road, and then you could be against them! By matching them up against each other in different ways, they're able to rank who's the best performing robot out of the 40-60 robots there could be at the regionals."

Alliance selection:
"After the robots are all ranked, the top 8 get to pick teams that they want to play with through the whole of the elimination rounds - no more randoms! It's really important for the teams to scout out who's the best match for them so they know how to form the best alliance."

(I usually don't bother with the serpentine - if you're doing a high-level explanation to someone brand new, they'll tune out on the details.)

"Then, there are double-elimination rounds until we figure out which alliance at the regional is best. There are other awards, too, for things like community outreach and spreading the word of FIRST - which are even more important than the robot! FIRST, after all, is about changing culture."

Keep in mind I've had probably 15 years of practice explaining FIRST to people - and I've learned that if you go too far into the little details of competition, people who don't know it get bored or confused.

Keep it high level, keep it punchy, keep it fun.
Sometimes the details- for example, the ranking system- aren't exactly represented well, but they can figure that out when they become a mentor or a volunteer.

If you'd like to practice your speech on me, or continue bouncing ideas, send me a PM or find me at Champs.

[Koko Ed]

When I explain what a FIRST event is like to someone who has never seen one (or are about to) I say it's like Mardi Gras surrounding the Superbowl. It's intense. It's insane. It's breathtaking. There's nothing like seeing a FIRST event in person. Nothing.

[RoboMom]

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.

[GeorgeM]

I think I will take you up on those offers.

Looks like I owe 3 drinks - 1 to Libby, Ed, and Jenny.

Thanks for the input!

[OZ_341]

In Atlanta 2008, former US President George HW Bush, spoke to the crowd at the FIRST Championship. He described FIRST as "...WWF but for Smart People."
Politics aside its still one of my favorite short descriptions of FIRST.