Very new, late Join to Inland Empire Regionals

[JESSICA HOLDEN]

Hey All, 

Might be doing this completely backwards...and with a level of insanity. But, I'm trying to bring my middle school, to the Inland Empire Tournament in March. We are NEWLY created, and really just want to get a taste of what it will be like. I have been very open with my group that we will be learning together, and there will for sure be hiccups.

Any pointers?

Anyone local, willing to help mentor?

ESD-GAFE-20150930-1

[Kelly Bell]

Can't offer local help but HOORAY FOR YOU.   I am probably repeating what you already know, but I've seen people make rookie mistakes too often:

1)  Be sure you are working with the current official rules (says (C) 2026 at bottom and has a big B watermark on each page).

2)  Check SOINC to make sure that you are within guidelines for membership (no more than five 9th graders, max 15 students, etc), construction (adults can coach, students do the building), eye protection (look for the Z87 imprint for Type C and Z87+ for Type B), calculators (also in back of rule book) etc.   

3)  Many states follow the national schedule for scheduled events, but check with your tournament supervisor to make sure you know the schedule for the day.  Also, some states offer discounted fees for their first year or for smaller teams - worth asking!

4)   Since this is not your year for Nationals, let the students pick what they are doing and with which partner they want to work with (Write It Do It is the only event requiring two students, all others can have just one).   It's fine to not cover events and it's also fine to ask a student or pair of students to walk in cold and give it a try, guessing on answers.   

5)   Accept all parent/staff help offered! :)   They can help coach, explain rules to kids, give test taking and construction hints.  On competition day, they can walk students to their next events, help students keep on schedule, keep them fed and hydrated.   Parents can quietly observe building events but not written events.  

6)   Most teams will show up in a team shirt or even lab coat printed with school name or tie-dyed a certain way. As a new team, you might want to make your team uniform this year spirit wear from your school, sharing among families as needed.  Having the kids dressed similarly will help you spot them across campus and also will help team volunteers find them in a crowd.    

7)   Be sure students know what is allowed and not allowed in each event (binder? info sheet?  goggles?  repair kit?).  

8)   As a team, decide on expectations (being on time, respecting people and materials/buildings, ability to accept outcomes, etc).  

Finally, at the end of the tournament, have a pizza party for surviving!  Celebrate any medals at all or even small victories ("Wow, you scored in the top half of all teams that entered Anatomy!") and thank the kids and parents for their bravery and good attitude.

Kelly 

[Laura Coirier]

Another possibility-if there are ANY local invitationals, you may want to go see one, to get an idea of what a regional might be like.

Ask if you can volunteer-they will appreciate the help.

And, GO YOU!
Laura

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