2010 FIRST Robotics Conference How to be Great in Front of an Audience Presented by: Kimberly Eckhardt, Team 1511

2010 FIRST Robotics Conference Outline  Presentations in FIRST  Presentations Skills  Building Powerful Presentations  Know Your Audience  Create a Persuasive Presentation  Use Strong Visuals  Appropriate Q&A

Excellence “Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical and expecting more than others think is possible.” 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Presentations in FIRST Chairman’s Award FLL Project & Technical Presentation FTC Inspire Award Talking to Judges in the Pits Demonstrations Sponsor Presentations Event Speaking 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Presentation Tips Get Rid of the Butterflies Project Your Voice Use Eye Contact & Gestures Locate Turn & Talk No more than 5-10 minutes per Topic Its OK to Use Notecards NEVER Apologize Up Front “Worry” about what might go Wrong 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Activity Need 2 Volunteers! 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Building Powerful Presentations Step By Step –Define the Purpose –Gather Content & Presentation Ideas –Structure the Subject Matter (Outline) –Develop HOW to present it –Prepare the Presentation –Practice –Plan, Experience, Control the Environment –“Dress Rehearsal” 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Know Your Audience Who: experience, education, job, professional background, age, gender, ethnic background, cultural differences, etc. Number of People, Physical Setting What do your listeners expect? What do they already know? What do they care about? Not care about? 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Create a Persuasive Presentation Strong Opener Variety of Techniques to Express Your Point Be Clear – Opinion or Fact Support Your Claims –Data, Stories, Anecdotes, Quotations, Etc –Don’t Drown them in Data Be Influential: logic, emotion, person Don’t be Egotistical: “I believe, I want, I urge you” End with a Bang! 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Use Strong Visuals Power Point Slides –Use Key Words Only – No Blocks of Text! –Pay Attention to Font Size –Coordinate Transitions Charts, Tables, Graphs A Picture is worth a thousand words SIMPLE & Clear Visuals are an Aid, NOT the focus 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Appropriate Q&A Determine when you want Q&A Prepare for Questions Think up or even ask for Questions Ahead 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Knock’em Dead Show Passion Know Your Audience Show Passion Plan Well Show Passion Provide Detail Show Passion 2010 FIRST Robotics Conference

Questions & Contact Info Questions? Kim Eckhardt –Materials: