Team Tips
 Quick Help for Taking on the Research
Project
QUESTION:
We are a rookie team this year and are
struggling with the parameters of the
presentation project. Are the teams suppose to
present their findings from the energy audit for
their presentation? We weren't sure if they were
to do that or perform a skit involving
alternative energy sources (i.e. present a
problem/solution). Any word of advice to our
team would be greatly appreciated.
Kent
Team NRG coach
ANSWER:
First I'm sure you've read the project
definition:
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=29630
- Select a building in your community and
evaluate the energy use.
- Talk to experts and propose solutions to
reduce consumption or move toward
alternative energy use.
- Share the changes for your building with
the community.
Note: Explain how you completed all THREE
parts of the Project, its purpose, and
solutions. Share your presentation in order to
qualify for project awards at qualifying and
championship tournaments.
Next to your question: Your
presentation alternatives are basically open.
Judges are looking for clear, creative,
presentations that show that the students have
learned about the topic and key points (see note
above).
Remember, you have five minutes for setup and
presentation. Therefore make sure that your team
can walk in and start. For example, a couple of
years ago we did an animated short as part of
our presentation. Since setting up projectors,
etc. is just too time consuming we made a
self-contained AV cart with a flat-screen, power
supply, speakers, etc. Presentations have run from full blown
dramatic presentations, to PPT shows,
and demonstrations (see second photo). Our Team
2 made an underwater habitat and demonstrated
the pressure issues with a compressor (which of
course was pre-charged). In 2007 we did a Scuba
Shop skit to demonstrate our Nano-tech diving
suit (third photo).
I cannot emphasize this more emphatically.
You MUST have your team prepared to give a
terse, well-structured presentation. Don't try
to do elaborate setups or big productions unless
you have team members who can pull it off. DO
have good materials, hand outs, and prepared
students.
Here's what we are doing this year:
- Select a building in your community
and evaluate the energy use.
We have identified an 1830's boarding house
that has been converted to an office and
apartments. Our team is building an
architectural model to show the
improvements. They will analyze the previous
energy usage and the current usage with
modifications.
- Talk to experts and propose solutions
to reduce consumption or move toward
alternative energy use.
They will then see what can be done to
further improve the building's energy use
using the model.
- Share the changes for your building
with the community.
We will be presenting to some school groups
and at a local library as well as some
technology companies.
In this case they will present their model,
discuss the current modifications to the
house and the proposed changes using model
items. Hopefully they will be able to
discuss the the gas-filled windows, improved
insulation, high-efficiency heating/cooling
devices already installed.
I think you can see that you could do many
types of creative presentations. This year's presentation is a bit different than
past ones. It is more specific. So as I said in
my '7 Tips' document is it important to
present something. Focus on good communication
of research. Seek creative approaches if you
have time. |
