As Skip indicated most tournaments have a space for you to store snacks and stuff which adjacent to an area to display your project and any posters. They do sometimes vary when it comes to the snacks and where you can and can’t have them.  I have personally not seen or heard of a tournament site that there was no food or water allowed. This will though he laid out in the packet the tournament director sends out a few days before your assigned tournament. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 3, 2017, at 2:00 PM, Elvina Tong <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Frederik, Ari, Todd and Skip,
> 
> Thank you!! That is beyond helpful. We have done a lot of research on the theme topics and assembled the field. They've built basic robots and attachments. We are working on designing missions and coming up with ideas for our project presentation and core values poster. Of course I have more questions...
> 
> Where would I find regional events to go look at? 
> When do we find out which of our tournament selections we are placed in?
> On the tournament day, do we have a space where we can store snacks, supplies, posters, etc? Or should we plan for everyone to bring a backpack and carry things around?
> 
> Thanks,
> Elvina
> 
> 
> 
>> On Tue, Oct 3, 2017 at 1:11 PM, Skip Morrow <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Elvina,
>> Thank you for volunteering as a coach this year. I remember my first year coaching and I know exactly what is going through your mind right now. Trust me, you and your team will be fine! :)
>> 
>> Definitely, definitely get other adults (parents) to help out during the day. It is crazy fast and super easy to lose track of time. You can go with your team to each of the scheduled events, although you may or may not be able to be "with them" for the judged events. This varies from region to region. You may have to wait in the hall while your team goes in. You can absolutely be with your team during the robot games though.
>> 
>> Remember, there are three judged events:
>> 1. Hydrodaynamics Project
>> 2. Robot design
>> 3. Core Values
>> 
>> 1. Hopefully you have a good feel for the project. The team goes in, they present for five minutes, the judges ask questions for five minutes, and you are done.
>> 2. The Robot design judging is a little different. For this one the team goes into a room where they have the same hydrodynamics table set up. The team will run one or two missions of their choice while talking to the judges about their robot design. They need to be ready to talk about design decisions, strategy, team roles, etc.
>> 3. Core values judging is also a little different. For this one the team will go into a room where the judges will ask the team to perform some fun task as a team. The judges will be observing how well the team works together. After the time is up for the task, the judges will ask questions about core values.
>> 
>> In between all of these judged events, your team will have its turn at the robot game. You will probably get one practice round and three official rounds.
>> 
>> If you have a chance, I would STRONGLY recommend that you volunteer at a nearby regional event before your regional tournament. No experience necessary and you will learn a lot about the judged events.
>> 
>> Your team will want to make changes to the robot and programs during the day. That is OK. Every team makes changes during competition day. It can be quite stressful to some of the kids because they will sense the time urgency before the next round. Remember, the score for the robot game is not the most important thing. Having fun is the most important thing. I think for most teams and coaches, the score is more important to the coaches than it is for the team. Just keep that in mind.
>> 
>> Have fun. Best of luck to you and your team. Ask here if you have any other questions.
>> 
>> Skip Morrow
>> Coach, Norfolk Collegiate
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> .
>> 
>>> On Tue, Oct 3, 2017 at 12:42 PM, Todd J Lennox <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> Fredrik gave a pretty good overview. Though not directly in your question as a first year team, some tips for the day of tournament. Though the students are to do the work there is no reason adults can’t assist with logistics just as coaches do for a sports team. With that in mind:
>>> -review the schedule with the entire team. Remind them of the schedule throughout the day. However have another adult keep track of time. The team members should be fully engaged in doing the work of the team not watching a clock. Just like the Players during a timeout in any sport who are listening to the coach and discussing adjustments your players and coaches need to be engaged let another adult make sure you get out of the timeout on time.
>>> -team members and coaches need to remember the schedule is often tighter than it appears on paper.
>>> -have another adult who is aware of what needs to go to each robot round and judging room to help ensure nothing gets forgotten. Unless logistics/timing prevents it the students should carry everything everywhere.
>>> -get someone to plan lunch and a snacks. Hungry kids (and coaches) are not fun.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> > On Oct 3, 2017, at 9:24 AM, Fredrik Nyman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > In one word: hectic!
>>> >
>>> > The day's schedule is, roughly:
>>> > 1) registration (turn in forms etc)
>>> > 2) find a home for your team (typically a table in the cafeteria)
>>> > 3) coaches meeting
>>> > 4) practice round
>>> > 5) first competition round
>>> > 6) lunch
>>> > 7) second competition round
>>> > 8) third competition round
>>> > 9) research presentation for judges
>>> > 10) core values presentation for judges
>>> > 11) closing ceremonies
>>> >
>>> > 1-4 and 11 are fixed events (i.e. same for each team); 5-10 will vary
>>> > -- i.e. while one team presents their research, another will present
>>> > core values and yet others will compete.
>>> >
>>> > You definitely want to have an assistant coach and ideally several
>>> > parents around to help wrangle kids and help move stuff from place to
>>> > place.
>>> >
>>> >> On Tue, Oct 3, 2017 at 8:59 AM, Elvina Tong <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> >> Hello,
>>> >>
>>> >> I'm taking a grades 7-8 team to a First Lego League tournament this fall. It
>>> >> is the first time our school is sending a team.
>>> >>
>>> >> The kids are interested in knowing the format of the day, could anyone give
>>> >> me a rundown?
>>> >>
>>> >> Thanks,
>>> >> Elvina
>>> >>
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