• Introduce your city using different perspectives—a citizen, tourist, historian, etc. Be creative and have fun introducing your city of the future.

• Use visual aids and props. While the model is the primary demonstration aid, students may use pointers, display boards, flip charts, costumes, handouts, and brochures during the presentation. With the exception of handouts and costumes, any visible item that is not part of the Physical Model will be deemed a visual aid and subject to the following size limitations.

• Display boards—may consist of either:

1. A single display not exceeding 60” (W) x 36” (H) (e.g., a single foam board resting on an easel).

2. Two displays each not exceeding 30” (W) x 36” (H) each (e.g., two flip charts, each on separate easels).

• The size does not include the easel or stand, if one is used. And a team may use a multiple stack of display boards on an easel if they do not exceed the maximum dimension when displayed.

• Flip Charts—If you are using prepared flip charts, make sure your writing does not show through to the next page. Make your lettering BIG & DARK. (Use blue, black, brown, purple, or dark green markers.)

• Costumes—These include anything the presenters wear or carry that enhances the role they are depicting in their presentation (e.g., lab coats, hard hats, team t-shirts, cell phones, briefcases, etc.).

• Handouts and small mock-ups—All items in this category must collectively fit within a 6"x 6" x12" volume (e.g., a shoe box).

• Brochures—are limited to one 8.5” x11" sheet of paper.

• Stay within the $100 limit. The total value of ALL the materials used in support of the presentation and special awards, including the physical model, may not exceed $100. All materials must be documented on the Competition Expense Form (PDF).

• Audiovisual equipment is not allowed. This includes laptop computers, overhead projectors, DVD/video players, iPod, iPad, mp3 players.

• Practice, practice, practice. The best presentations have been rehearsed many times. Use these tips to help your students polish their presentation.

1. Practice the presentation as a team many times before the competition.
2. Time the presentation (no longer than seven minutes) and include the model and all props in the practice sessions.
3. Have students take turns as coach and as presenter. This method gives the team an opportunity to incorporate all team members’ ideas into the final presentation.
4. Rehearse the presentation in front of an audience. Your region may ask your students to use a microphone and be on a stage, so practice that too.
5. Students should know the material well enough so that they don’t have to read notes.
6. Have parents or educators act as judges and ask the Sample Judge’s Questions.

• After each presentation, have peer coaches discuss:

1. What parts of the presentation were clear and informative?
2. Were there any points they didn’t understand?       
3. What was one thing they liked about how their peers presented?         
4. Did the presenters make eye contact? How was their posture, gestures, tone of voice, or pace of the delivery?
5. How did the presenters use the model?

Next Section: Rules & Rubric >