Types of Instant Challenge and Strategies for Success

Instant Challenge Types There are three types of Instant Challenges: Performance-Based Task-Based Combination (Performance-Based) Because your team has no guarantee which type of Instant Challenge it will be asked to solve at the tournament, your team should practice all three types.

Instant Challenge Types Performance-Based: Focus on the team working together to create and perform a theatrical solution Team will be evaluated on teamwork, and may be evaluated on the creativity of the solution and the presentation and/or use of materials Some component of the scoring will be objective Team may be given real or imaginary materials to use for the solution.

Instant Challenge Types Performance-Based (cont’d): Team may be asked to use words, language, conversation and/or dramatic characterizations to solve the Instant Challenge, or the solution may be required to be non- verbal Team may or may not be given time to practice the solution before presenting to the Appraisers

Instant Challenge Types Task-Based: Focus on the team members working together to move, build, change or protect materials they are given in order to complete a task Team may also be asked to communicate information Team will be evaluated on teamwork, and may be evaluated on the creative use of materials and on their success in completing the task May or may not be allowed to talk during the Challenge

Instant Challenge Types Combination (Performance and Task-Based): Any combination of a task and a performance as part of a single challenge Common Scenarios Make Props + Use props in a performance Create a performance to get materials + Use materials to complete a task Complete a task to get materials/props + Use materials to make props for Performance

Instant Challenge Types Performance Combination Task With Props Any Combination of Performance and Task To Build (Height, Width or to hold Weight) Without Props Performance With Team Made Props To Move With Imaginary Props Performance to get Materials for use in a task To Protect With Team Made Props Complete a task to get materials for use in a performance To Communicate To Change

Instant Challenge Scoring Objective and Subjective Criteria

Instant Challenge Scoring Each Instant Challenge will have a specific section guiding Appraisers as to how the scoring is to be done. Some criteria are objective with a clear indication of what needs to happen in order to earn points. Some criteria are subject and based on the appraiser’s opinion. Rubrics for scoring creativity and teamwork will be available to the appraiser for each Instant Challenge.

Objective Scoring Criteria All appraises agree on item and have same score Discrepancies favor the team Examples Count of things Measurement Task (subtask) completed Accepting a restriction

Objective Scoring Criteria Count of Things Number of balls in a bowl (marbles uncovered, cans moved) Number of correctly placed pieces Number of Spells Cast during performance Measurements Height, Length or Width of structure

Objective Scoring Criteria Task (subtask) completed Skit has a beginning, middle and end Bridge was supporting ball at end of time No words were spoken Accept Restrictions Use only the materials on one table Use less time

Subjective Scoring Criteria Appraisers do not have to agree 100% Appraiser’s individual opinion Rubric provided to appraisers as a guide Examples Teamwork Creativity Creativity of an Idea Creativity of a thing made Creativity of Material Use Creativity of Performance

Scoring Teamwork Points 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 Qualities Dominating individual who limits the participation of others. Cooperation is minimal. Little sharing of ideas. Some evidence of individual team member roles. Some cooperation. Some evidence of accepting ides of others. Acceptance of team roles above average. Good cooperation. Sharing and acceptance of ideas of others.   Leadership and team roles are easily identified. Diversity of skills mutually respected and evident. Team dynamics exemplary.

Scoring Creativity of an Idea or Thing Points 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 1-7 8-16 16-21 22-30 1-3 4-8 8-11 12-15 Qualities Creativity is present and its somewhat enhanced The solution applies Creativity is present and its relevant There is a theme. The solution is complete. Solved with related elements. Creativity is present and it’s integrated. Chiefly original work.   Creativity is there and its innovative AHA! WOW!!

Scoring Creativity of a Performance Points 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 1-7 8-16 16-21 22-30 1-3 4-8 8-11 12-15 Qualities Creativity is present and its somewhat enhanced The solution applies Attempt at application Solved with marginal addition Creativity is present and its relevant There is a theme. The solution is complete. Solved with related elements. Creativity is present and it’s integrated. Chiefly original work. Solved with integration. Creativity is there and its innovative AHA! WOW!! Unrelated elements synthesized to create a new idea.

Instant Challenge – Tips for Success

Performance Based IC Skits need to have a Beginning, Middle, and End Extremely important for teams to understand Without this skit has no direction Often the only “Objective” Scoring element in a performance based challenge.

Performance Based IC Creativity Teams will usually be scored on Creativity of the Performance Teams may be scored on the creativity of an “idea” that contributes to the Performance Teams should constantly ask themselves if this idea is creative What are other teams likely to do Is this solution unique? Don’t fall into the trap of creating a skit just based off the name of the challenge. Rule of Three

Performance Based IC Suggested exercise The team is to develop a skit which completes a scene, I would give them two minutes to plan, and then two minutes to perform their skit Emphasize the idea of Beginning, Middle, and End during the debrief. Ask the team what was your beginning, middle and end? How creative was it? Go over the 10 Important Questions to Ask After Every Instant Challenge Activity

Task Based IC Time management is crucial!! Team will get usually have a larger component of objective scoring components. Sometimes an IC proves to be either very hard or very easy and the only difference between all scores are the subjective components.

Task Based IC Practice having teams build structures Practice having teams move or carry oblects Practice having teams identify material types (connectors, extenders, controllers) Which materials can be used in multiple ways How a particular material can be altered For example a piece of paper Go over the 10 Important Questions to Ask After Every Instant Challenge Activity

Creative Use of Materials Seen in task-based and combination challenges Often see teams try to use as many items as possible rather than using the items in a creative fashion During appraiser trainings I emphasize to appraisers the following: a team may get slightly more points for using more items than a team that only uses one or two items in a common way However, I reward a team that only uses one or two items in a highly creative fashion much more highly If a team just begins adding “non-functional” stuff to their device/structure I do NOT reward them with more points. However, the rubric given to appraisers for “creatvity of material use” rewards teams for the number of items a team uses as well as how creatively they are used. Best bet for a team: be creative with the materials you use, make sure the materials you are using are for functional uses of the challenge. CREATIVE = ITEMS BEING USED DIFFERENTLY FROM THEIR FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE

Creative Use of Materials A suggested exercise: hand the team one of the items from the next slides give them one minute to think have the team discuss their ideas and formulate a list of the 10 different ways that this particular item could be used creatively and decide which one is the MOST creative Keep a list on a poster board or white board of the most creative, have this poster posted when they are meeting so it jogs their memories

Extenders Used to achieve length

Connectors Used to fasten objects

Controllers Used to contain, confine, or carry

Examples

Contact Information Affiliate Challenge Master - Instant Challenge Sarah Whitney - lysa978@gmail.com