Project 2016

1. Project
• What is the Project?
• Getting Started
• How to Brainstorm (caution, it’s messy!)
• Narrowing it Down to THE Topic
• Sources/Finding experts
• Collaboration Tools
• Developing a Solution
• Creating a Presentation
• Doing it All in 13 Weeks

3. • Identify problem
• Evaluate current solutions
• Develop innovative solution
• Share solution with others
• Give creative presentation at
tournament
Research Project

4. Project Documents: released August 30th
• Read and re-read!
• Use Them as Your Starting Point
• Pull Out the “Deliverables”
Field Trips
• Reach Out to Parents/Friends
• May Lead to Expert
• Field Trip May Come to You
Getting Started

5. Warm Up
• Pre-Research
• Play a Game, Do a Teamwork Exercise
Make Sure Everybody Knows the Rules
• No Judging
• Quantity Over Quality
• Encourage Wild or Exaggerated Ideas
• Build on Other’s Ideas
• Every Person Has Equal Say
Get Creative in Organization
• Sticky Notes
• Diagrams
• Pass the List
• Continuous Brainstorming
How to Brain Storm

6. Make a List of Criteria
• Impact, Available Research, Current Solutions
Take Advantage of Opportunities
• Problem Close to Home
• Know an Expert
• Access to a Resource
Parallel Paths
• Follow Multiple Ideas
Set a Deadline
How to Narrow it Down to THE Topic

7. Variety is the Key
• Print: Books, Magazines, Internet
• Experts, Documentaries
• Experimentation
• Use library and librarians
List Sources Used Throughout the Season
• Appoint a documentation lead
How to Find Experts
• Look Local – Colleges, Business Professionals, Government
• Use Technology – E-mail, Skype
• Send out Feelers – Friends, Relatives
Research Sources

8. Perfect for Background/Basic Knowledge
Great for Teaching about Information
Reliability, Fact Checking
Great Jumping off Point
• References, Further Reading, External Links
Use scholarly or government sources
when available
A Word About Wikipedia
Wikipedia
the free encyclopedia
that anyone can edit.

9. Collaboration
Everyone on team participates!
Organize the Research Process
• Everyone Knows the Organization Structure and Follows It
• Web Tools – Google, Yahoo, Drop Box etc.
• Paper Based Systems – Files, Binders, Logs etc.
Working Outside of Meeting
• Homework
• Online Collaboration
• Small Independent Groups

10. Developing a Solution
Examine Existing Solutions
Brainstorm
Follow Leads
Get Inside the Problem
Look Around
• Use Nature, Technology, Everyday Items
• Make Connections – What is it like?
Evaluate, Choose, Refine

11. Create a Live Presentation
Format:
• Get Creative – Song/Rap, Skit, Game Show, Puppets…
• 90% of teams do skits (TV reports, dramas, re-enactments)
Writing:
• Create Interest
• Engage Audience…use Humor, Emotion, Passion for topic
Cover the Basics: (see rubric)
• Problem statement
• Solution statement (Elevator Pitch)
• Mention group(s) team shared with

12. Props & Costumes:
Technology:
• Technology can enhance, but should not be the focal point
• Beware of Technical Difficulties
Display board/poster:
• Useful for presenting facts and research materials.
• Font needs to be large enough for judges to read!
•Props:
• Wigs, costumes, masks…help to establish characters
• Enhance the presentation, not dominate it.
• Designed, constructed, carried, and set up by team members.
• Team should practice set-up as part of presentation.
• Do NOT expect electricity, chairs, or tables to be available.

13. Share Your Project
• Who can learn from your project?
• Who does your project impact?
• Who can give you feedback or help improve your
project?

14. Practice & Edit: 5 minute max
• Time limit: includes set-up and presentation
• Does it meet Rubric requirements?
Focus on speaking clearly:
• Pronounce difficult words
• Pause for effect
Do Q&A based on rubric areas:
• Why did you pick this problem?
• Where did you get your information?
• How did you come up with your solution?
Preparing for Judging:
5 minute presentation, 5 minute Q&A

15. Sample Research Project Timeline
Wk 1: Understand Project, Basic Research
• Read project document carefully!
Wks 2-3: Narrow and Select Project Topic
Wks 4-5: Focused Research
Wks 6-11: Write/Edit Presentation & Make Props
Wks 12-13: Practice and Present to Others
• Present to target audience or experts and ask
for feedback

16. FLL Research Presentations—
many examples on youtube
Skit with TV report: mandatory app for tornado alert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB-AkHbfC68
Supernova Heat Wave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVtvAqGbGFQ
News report about Nature’s Fury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as1FF9xHYq4

17. Research Project
Q & A