Volunteer

The "Pick a pike" challenge will be an exciting event with many opportunities for one-day volunteerism or longer-term involvement. To find out more about these opportunities, or to sign up, email us at challenge@thetech.org.

Thank you for supporting Tech Challenge 2004. We cannot run such beneficial programs for children without your commitment and support.

Team Support - Long Term Commitment
Run-Up Events - Short Term Commitment
The Big Day

Team Support - Long Term Commitment

Opportunity

Description

Time Commitment

Dates
(if applicable)

Number of Places

Team Advisor

Please see the Advisors section.

45 minute phone or face-to-face interview on application.

Weekly commitment from as early as December through April as team works on the device.

2003
Nov 15th - Training

2004
Feb 7th
Information Clinic (optional)

Feb 14th
Training

Feb to April
Team Support

April 24th
The Big Day

Run-Up Events - Short Term Commitment
Opportunity	Description	Time Commitment	Dates	Number of Places
Test Trials	Students come to the museum to test their devices. We need help with crowd control and registering the students who attend.	3 hours	Any of these Saturdays: March 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17, & Tuesday April 20	2 per trial
Workshops For Teams	Students come to workshops designed to help them start their projects. We need help from people willing to show students how to use tools and materials. Experience with electronics, power tools or engineering design preferred.	1 hour for preparation meeting 6 hours for a full day or 3 hours for a half day	Feb 21 and/or 28	5 per workshop

The Big Day - Saturday April 24, 2004
Competition Shifts: Shift A - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Shift B - 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Shift C - 9:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. (with 30 minute break) Shift D - 9:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (with 75 minute break) Shift E - 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Shift F - 9:45 a.m. � 5:30 p.m. (with 90 minute break) Shift G - 11:30 a.m. � 4:15 p.m.		The competition runs in phases, so we will need volunteers in different shifts. *Please note the shift times when looking at volunteer positions
Opportunity	Description	Time Commitment	Number of places
Greeter	Help meet the students as they arrive, direct them to the appropriate registration area.	4 hours	4 (2 per shift) Shift A and/or B
Team Check-in	Check in teams when they arrive, confirm their details, hand them a map and explain the flow of the day.	4 hours	8 (4 per shift) Shift A and/or B
Check in - other	Check in volunteers, VIP guests and media - direct them to the appropriate contact	4 hours	2 (1 per shift) Shift A and/or B
Design Methodology Review Judging	In groups of two judges per team, talk to the participants about their project/design process. Assess how much of the work the teams have done and understood themselves, look for original brainstorming ideas, talk to them about how they built and tested their device.	6 - 8 hours depending on shift (breaks included) Plus: must attend a 2-hour training session and at least one test trial (approx. 3 hrs.) to understand the scoring process.	31 total Shift C= 9 Shift D= 9 Shift E=13
Timing Judges	Secondary person at a test station. Responsible for timing a team's effort. This is a critical job that takes a lot of focus. There is a fastest device prize category, so timing has to be accurate to the second. You are also back up for the judge and may help them decide scoring.	5 - 8 hours depending on shift (breaks included) Plus: a meeting prior to the competition to understand the judging process and meet your judging team	6 (3 per shift) Shifts F or G
Device Test Station Organizer	Responsible for keeping teams in line, ensuring they are ready to test their devices in a timely manner.	5 - 8 hours depending on shift (breaks included) Plus: a meeting prior to the competition to understand the judging process and meet your judging team	6 (3 per shift) Shifts F or G
Design Methodology Review Station Organizer	Responsible for keeping teams in line, ensuring they are ready to make their presentations to the judges in a timely manner.	6 - 8 hours depending on shift (breaks included) Plus: a briefing prior to the competition to understand the process	9 (3 per shift) Shifts C, D, E
Runners	Responsible for collecting the scoring cards from the judges to give to the head judge who will tally the scores.	4 hours	8 (4 per shift) Shift A and/or B
Goody Bag Station	Hand out "thank you" gift bags to all participants and advisors.	4 hours	6 (3 per shift) Shift A and/or B
Best Costume, Team Spirit Judges	Responsible for judging team's costumes and team spirit.	5 - 8 hours depending on shift (breaks included)	Costumes: 4 (2 per shift) Spirit: 6 (3 per shift) Shifts F or G
Competition Event Photography	Volunteers required who have a good photographic eye. Cost of materials covered by The Tech. Good quality digital images are preferred.	4 hours	8 (4 per shift) Shift A and/or B
Break Down	Volunteers required for the end of the day to help break down the apparatus.	2 hours after the event	10 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Testing Facilitator	Volunteers needed to help facilitate the open testing/demonstration rig in the Tech Museum	4 hours	4 (2 per shift) Shift A and/or B
Awards Team	Volunteers needed to transport and stage prizes and medals for the awards ceremonies. Other responsibilities include: greeting, seating, and re-setting the hall after each ceremony.	6 hours	12 (Noon - 6 p.m.)