L2 PROJECTS
L2: Semi-Final Stage of the Project Cycle
Congratulations on advancing from the Regionals Level 1 Project judging to Level 2 at State. Below you'll find some helpful tips to prepare for your L2 ...and, hopefully, L3. Â
Good luck... and we'll see you in Lexington on March 27th!
START WITH THE 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 must use to get ready for Level 2 at State. Review the rubrics, access resources, the STLP logo, etc. here!
The Level 2 Rubric Is Your Secret Weapon
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Continued Focus on Technology 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 Reports
After Regionals, each project team recieved individualized feedback from judges. Take advantage of that resource to review area of improvement as suggested by L1 Judges. The link to your Level 1 Feedback Report should still be active here. Use it to your advantage!
PREPARING TEAMS FOR LEVEL 2
Table Assignments/Judging Times
Ahead of #STLP24 each STLP Coordinator will be alerted:
Level 2 Project Table Assignments (schools are groups together for simplicity/support)
Approximate Judging Time
Back At School...
Create a presentation experience to share with judges and general audience
Practicing presentations is before coming to #STLP24 is key. Get your team in front of anyone who will let you practice your presentations.Â
Level 2 Pro Tip: Practicing Conditions
Practice giving your Level 2 presentation in loud areas around school, such as the cafeteria during lunch time or the gymnasium during P.E. 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.
Level 2 Pro Tip: Get Comfy with Setting Up
Practice packing up, unpacking, and setting up your presentation space while back at school. Did you have all the cables, extension cords, table cloth, and other supplies you'll want to have at Level 2? Also, it can be a long walk from where the bus drop of is at Central Bank Center to your table. So know who is carrying which parts of your presentation materials before arriving. Using a packing list will help relieve the stress while moving to your table and will also help make sure you have everything you came with loaded up on the bus at the end of the day.
Earn Some Easy Points
Every project presentation can earn a super easy 5 points by making sure your space includes (at least one) a proud display of the STLP logo. You can download clean, high resultion, logos from the STLP Logo page.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT CENTRAL BANK CENTER
Off the Bus and Straight to Project Tables
With nearly 650 project teams all in one space, Project Central (in the Expo Hall) can at first appear overwheming. However, if teams review the materials provided, follow the guidance of STLP volunteers on site, and prepare to create a presentation space that is creative and leverages technology, then your experience as a Level 2 Project team at State will successful!
Bus Drop Off
Following the bus drop off instructions, your groups will be entering via 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.
Find Your Table
Maps show the layout of the Exhibit Hall (Project Central) on the Third Floor. Teams will enter directly from the buses and proceed to their pre-assigned tables.
There is no "check in" desk. Go directly to your tables to set up for the Level 2 judging. Power is available close by (bring extensions) and WIFI is throughout the venue.
Tables will be organized into Division Sections (K-5, 6-8, 9-12). Projects from the same school will be placed in proximity to each other (unless teams from the same school are competiting in different divisions...then they might be seperated (K-5 is on section while 6-8 is another, for example)
Use Your 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). We are 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.Â
It's not about how much you spend...but how well you utilize your presentation space.
LEVEL 2 JUDGING: WHAT TO KNOW
About Judging
All teams should arrive ahead and be set up before the 10:00 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. Do not plan to use full 10 minutes
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 at the project table
Other team members, teachers, parents should leave the area and explore State
Allow presenters to have distraction free time with the judges
Avoid taking pics/video during judging to limit distractions for presenters
Teams should prepare to SPEAK LOUDLY to judges... don't be shy!
Be prepared to answer questions, not just recite your presentation
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
WHICH PROJECTS WILL ADVANCE 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.