Chairman`s Award - Need some answers

[dazero]

hi every one , our team has submitted for Chairman`s award for the first time this year and we have some questions ,
1) we read about the video required for chairman`s award , we have to present it to the judges right ? but when ? in the presentation time ?? which is 10 mints * 5 for presentation and 5 for questions so the video that we have to present to the judges , must be presented in the presentation time ???? (5 mints ) or what ?

2) the vid size have to be max 5 mb?! really ?? thats too small

3) if you know what kinds of questions , the judges might ask us in the presentation time tell us ^.^ and thanks very much.

[Josh Fox]

You aren't required to show the judges your video, but if you decide to show them it will count as part of your 5 minutes of presentation time.

I believe you need to have a 5 mb version of it for the use of FIRST, but you can show whatever quality video you wish if you choose to do so during your presentation.

As for presentation questions, be prepared to go more in depth about elements of your presentation you may have only grazed the surface of if the judges want to know more about them. Reasons for why you are involved in FIRST are also good a good thing to keep in mind.

Best of luck.

[dazero]

thanks dude , but are u sure that we are not required to show the judges a video ??
Additional Requirement for 2009 Season
Teams competing for the Regional Chairman’s Award must provide a video to the judges at
the
event.
it says that we must provide a video to the judges at the event - my question is , if the video is part of the 5 min presentation or it is not

[EricH]

Originally Posted by dazero

thanks dude , but are u sure that we are not required to show the judges a video ??
Additional Requirement for 2009 Season
Teams competing for the Regional Chairman’s Award must provide a video to the judges at
the
event.
it says that we must provide a video to the judges at the event - my question is , if the video is part of the 5 min presentation or it is not

You must provide the video. Note: "provide" != "show". You may show the video, if you so desire, but it counts against the 5 minutes of presentation.

[dazero]

now i got it thanks ^.^

[JYang]

Just remember: relax and you will do fine.

As they said above, don't show the video unless you have the time to spare. Also, if you feel as if you are losing some of the visual impact when shrinking the video down to 5mb, you can provide the full quality video on a separate disk.

And for the questions, just make sure you know what you've done. Often they will throw curve balls and not ask questions about important things.

Good Luck!

[Bob Steele]

i agree with everyone else...
The main thing is to relax and be yourselves...
show the excitement that you have and the new things you have learned.

In my opinion, you will be much better off NOT using the video...
The judges want to see what you have to say.

Be humble but don't be afraid of telling the judges all the things your team has done... or things you plan to do...

Have fun!!

the other big thing to know... is PRACTICE your presentation...
Do it several times... have some adults/students critique it...
Practice...

Just like in the game, practice will make you better...

Good luck!!!

[Lil' Lavery]

Stay relaxed, have fun, the judges are people too.

While it's importance to practice and rehearse, don't make it sounded "scripted." Keep it lively, entertaining, and conversational. The judges are going to hear a bunch of presentations, so make sure you don't bore them.

How can you make your presentation stand out? The judges are going to see powerpoint after powerpoint, and hear the same stuff from everyone. That's not to say you don't use a powerpoint, but make sure it's unique, memorable, and informative (as well as easy to read), and don't make it the only source of substance. Use the powerpoint to reinforce the rest of your presentation rather than the focal point.

Of course there are a number of alternative and additions to ppt. You can use posters, videos, scrapbooks, physical examples/evidence, or just about anything else. Use what you can do and use the best.

The judges will vary from event to event, and even individual to individual. Some will be sticklers about time (especially in events with lots of teams registered for CA), but others will allow you run over a little bit. Some will be more formal, while others will just let it go with the flow. Some will ask questions during your five minutes (although rare), others won't.

The questions, too, will have some variety. Typically they will ask you about elements that you either didn't cover in your essay/presentation, but they may also ask questions about items they don't fully understand, team organization, your school system, or more abstract topics. Some questions I can recall from my three presentations to Chairman's judges.
"What do envision your school's role in FIRST to be in the future, and how do you want it to change?"
"Can you expand upon the relationship the mentors/sponsors have with your team?"
"How did you personally become involved with FIRST?"

Good luck, and stay loose!

[dazero]

Thanks every body for your answers

[waialua359]

I think the #1 factor other than having a resume of things teams do is definitely the interviews.
How do you distinguish from many great teams with their own unique challenges that they have overcome...................Its all in the interview. Focus your energy on your presentation.

**Getting off-tangent**
Its kind of like the Miss Universe pageant!
They all look beautiful, have great personalities, and have promising careers.
So who takes home the crown? Its all in the interview.......
After all, that's how Miss Hawaii won several years back. She totally wowed the judges with quick excellent responses on the fly!

Our team has always tried to be well-rounded from day 1. Clearly, our two best vocal leaders in our history led the interviews in 2003 and 2008. Both times, we won a RCA.

[ExarKun666]

Anyone know if you don't show the video do the judges still look at it?

[galewind]

I know that the judges looked at our video in NJ -- I think the rule of thumb is that if the judges have it narrowed down to a few teams, they then look at videos to help make the decision.

[ExarKun666]

just out of curiosity, since u have to set up the video for the judges to watch, is there any advantage in showing the video or not usually?

[galewind]

we decided not to show the video during our presentation in favor of a more detailed presentation. We figured that it'd be better to let them watch it on their own and to let our students' enthusiasm and hard work be more evident in a presentation rather than them saying "Hey, look at our video" and rolling the tape.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

While practicing for the presentation, it is wise to have the students speak to long term members of the team especially if your team has been around for many years. This proved to be a critical factor in our presentations. Presenters should not repeat what was presented in the question session. The judges are asking to further their knowledge of your team. As always, practice, practice, practice in front of the whole team. Have everyone ask questions during practice.