PROJECTS
LEVEL 2: WELCOME!
Congratulations on advancing from the Regionals Level 1 Project judging to State. Below you'll find some helpful tips to prepare for your experience at Level 2 ...and, hopefully, Level 3. Many questions can be answered here! Good luck... and we'll see you in Lexington on April 20th!
START WITH PROJECT TOOLKIT
Knowing what to expect from judges and preparing your presentation all starts with the STLP Project Toolkit. Just like your preparation for Level 1 at Regionals back in the fall, the Project Toolkit has information your team can use to get ready for Level 2 at State.
The Level 2 Rubric Is Your Ally
Judges will utilize the Level 2 Project rubric/scoring guide to navigate a conversation with your project team during your allotted time. Contained within the rubric are the scoring categories, which should look familiar to you, as they are extensions of the same scoring categories used in your Level 1 Project pitch. Plan your presentation around addressing each of the questions associated with those scoring categories. As judges use the rubric to guide their questions, the project team will already know what's coming and be ready to respond. Of course, judges will also ask any questions they wish to...so don't get flustered if they surprise you with a question "off script". Use your enthusiasm for your project to bolster your response.
Continued Focus on Standards
The foundation of STLP remains built upon the Kentucky Academic Standards for Technology. As you presented your Level 1 Project pitch, you answered questions directly tied to the Standards. Now, at Level 2 and 3, you'll recognize those same Standards are entwined with project judging. Take time to connect your presentation to each of the Standards. For any team wondering, "where should we start with our presentation?" the answer is simple: (1) use the Level 2 rubric to guide you and (2) take advantage of the standards (and the Standards Posters) to visually guide your audience.
LEVERAGE LEVEL 1 FEEDBACK
Back in December, each project team received individualized feedback from judges. For the first time in STLP history, that feedback is readily available for your project team to reference. Take advantage of that resource to review areas of improvement as suggested by judges.
The link to your Level 1 Feedback Report should still be active here. Just remember, access is tied to your accurate email address being the same as it was in December. Let us know if you have any troubles pulling up the reports for your team.
PREPARING FOR STATE
We're back in person...and that means for some teams, this will be their first time at an STLP event with a project team. Here are some "things to know" ahead of #STLP22 to help set up for success:
TABLE ASSIGNMENTS/JUDGING TIMES
Ahead of #STLP22, each STLP Coordinator will receive an email with information regarding:
Table Assignment (schools will be assigned together whenever possible)
Judging Time (approximate)
BACK AT SCHOOL
Practicing your presentations before coming to #STLP22 is key. Get your team in front of anyone who will let you practice. The more opportunities to share your projects, the better prepared your team will be.
PRO TIP: Practice giving your Level 2 presentation is loud areas, like the cafeteria during lunch time or the gymnasium during PE class. This will simulate the loudness you can expect when presenting in the Expo Hall at Central Bank Center with several hundred other teams sharing the space.
PRO TIP: Practice packing up and setting up your presentation space while at school. It can be a long walk from the bus drop off area to your presentation table. Create a pack list so you know all the pieces are there... and know who is responsible for what when you arrive and when you're packing up at the end of the day.
EASY POINTS
Every presentation can earn a super easy 5 points by making sure your space includes (at least once) a proud display of the STLP logo. You can download clean high resolution logos from the STLP Logo page.
THE STATE EXPERIENCE
We recognize that, for many schools, the process of physically getting to #STLP22 State Championship has been challenging. The last time STLP was in-person was 2019...and this is a whole new facility. So, we're all newbies this year!
Long bus rides are a reality... so we've shifted all activities and events back as deep into the morning as possible to allow all the competitions to be completed and still kick off the STLP Awards Ceremony at 5pm. Thank you for your efforts to get to Rupp!
BUS DROP OFF
Following the bus drop off instructions, your groups will be unloading in on the Loading Dock off of Lewis Oliver Way. Teams will unload and walk right up either two ramps directly into the Exhibit Hall (i.e. Project Central). Find your table and get set up.
As long as bus drivers follow the directions provided, bus drop off should be smooth with up to 14 buses unloading at a time.
Buses will load in this same spot after the Award Ceremony, as well.
FINDING TABLES
Once registration closes, maps will be created to show the layout of the Exhibit Hall (Project Central). Teams will enter directly from the buses and proceed to their pre-assigned tables.
There is no need to "check in." Go directly to your tables to begin setting up and preparing for the Level 2 judging to being at 10:30 am.
Tables will be organized in large areas by Division (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) to help with supervision. Projects from the same school will be placed in proximity to each other.
USING THE SPACE
Each project will be assigned its own table. Tables are wooden and will be bare with access to a double outlet nearby (bring extension /power strips). How you utilize the space provided is up to you...we're giving your team a blank canvas. Use it to excite other people (including judges) about your project!
Be respectful of your neighbors: Do not over expand into the limited walkway space or onto the footprint of a neighboring team. It's not about how much you spend...but how well you utilize your presentation space.
LEVEL 2: JUDGING
ABOUT JUDGING
All teams should arrive ahead and be set up before the 10:30 am start time
Judging times are approximate (if Judges are late it's likely because they extended grace to another team that was struggling...appreciate that and be flexible)
Teams get no more than 10 minutes with judges
If judges are more than 30 minutes late, report to Help Desk in your area
All registered teams will be judged... even if the judges are running late
ABOUT JUDGING
All teams should arrive ahead and be set up before the 10:30 am start time
Judging times are approximate (if Judges are late it's likely because they extended grace to another team that was struggling...appreciate that and be flexible)
Teams get no more than 10 minutes with judges
If judges are more than 30 minutes late, report to Help Desk in your area
All registered teams will be judged... even if the judges are running late
ABOUT JUDGES
The STLP Coaches across Kentucky identify and submit Judges. So, STLP Judges are volunteers who are active or retired educators that were selected for their ability to understand the "why" behind STLP.
The ideal STLP Judge can demonstrate patience and flexibility while encouraging project teams to give the best presentation possible. Great judges give meaningful and kind feedback.
STLP Judging is not about "gotcha" or finding what's wrong with a project...it's about celebrating what is right about student ideas!
DIGITAL CITIZENS
Be careful about using anything but original materials in your presentation or on your presentation space. Judges will be watching for any copyrighted materials that don't belong to your group. Printed permission from the original copyright holder is required if you're using even part of someone else's creation.
If using materials released under Creative Commons licensing, show that CC license on your presentation space. If utilizing data, be certain to cite those sources. This is K-12.
A zero score on Digital Citizenship means even the greatest project can't go to Level 3.
WHEN JUDGES ARRIVE...
Only SELECTED presenters (up to 4) should remain
Other team members, teachers, parents should leave the area
Allow presenters to have distraction free time with the judges
Avoid taking pics/video during judging to limit distractions
Teams should prepare to SPEAK LOUDLY to judges... don't be shy!
Be prepared to answer questions, not just recite your presentation
If your team advances to Level 3 judging, know in advance that judges will be interested in hearing and seeing your passion for your project...they will more likely engage you in conversation than want to listen to a rehearsed presentation. Just tell them how awesome your project is and why!
WHO GOES TO LEVEL 3?
How are the Level 2 selections made?
Unlike Regionals, Level 2 judging puts you head-to-head with other teams:
Projects are randomly placed into Judging Groups by grade division
Judge Teams interview all projects within one Judging Group looking for the "Best in Level 2 Group" project
To be considered for the "Best in Level 2 Group" designation, a team must first reach at least 91 points on the Level 2 Project Scoring Guide (rubric)
Judges then select the "Best in Level 2 Group" project from among any project in their Judging Group that hits 91 points or above
Only 1 team in each Judging Group can be named "Best in Level 2 Group"
All "Best in Level 2 Group" projects advance to Level 3 judging
EVERY Level 3 Project will be recognized on stage during the STLP Award Ceremony and will receive one of 4 possible awards:
Best In Level 2 Group Project
Terrific Top 20 Project
Runner-Up Project (K-5, 6-8, 9-12, or Technical)
Best Project in State (K-5, 6-8, 9-12 or Dave Sigler Best Technical Project)
ALL LEVEL 3 PROJECT TEAMS SHOULD REMAIN FOR THE STATE AWARDS SHOW. PLAN NOW.
BEFORE L2 JUDGING
STLP State Championship is open to the public, families, etc.
Expect to share your project with a number of visitors...not just with judges. Be ready to tell lots of people about your great ideas.
Check out some of the other projects around you.
Stick close...judges might arrive a few minutes early
AFTER L2 JUDGING
Whew...take a deep breath. You did it!
Feel free to grab some lunch, explore other areas, talk to other teams
If your journey ends at Level 2 know that you've learned much and you're not one step ahead on reaching the next level next year!
If your team advances to Level 3, get ready for next level judging!
LEVEL 3 JUDGING
WELCOME TO A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF STLP
Congrats on making it to Level 3 Project judging. Get ready for an entirely different experience with your project team. It's time to really display your enthusiasm for your project and your mastery of the subject; all in relation to the KAS Tech Standards, of course. Here's some tips to get you prepped...
WHAT TO KNOW:
Level 3 Judging is completely different from Levels 1 or 2
Level 3 Judging begins at 1:30 pm and there is no Judging Schedule
Judges will arrive at any time to discuss your project (with presenters only)
Often, more than one group of Judges will stop by at different times
Sometimes, Judges will return later for clarifying questions, etc.
Judges are likely not interested in your practiced presentation, but prefer having an interactive conversation with your presenters
Judges will be looking for teams that can confidently and enthusiastically explain why their project should be selected to represent the best of education technology for the entire state of Kentucky.
Plan to remain at your project table until the announcement is made that Level 3 Judging has concluded.
AFTER L3 JUDGING:
All teams that make it to Level 3 judging should plan to remain for the STLP Awards Ceremony, starting at 5 pm
Every Level 3 project team will be in consideration for Best in State Project
KET will be broadcasting the Award Show live on their channels. Call home and let them know, "I'm going to be on TV!"
All Level 3 project teams will be recognized on stage and will recieve an award (see description of awards under "Level 2 Judging" section above
You've worked so hard to get here... even though you might have a long drive back home, your students deserve to enjoy this experience!
Stick around for the entire Award Ceremony.