Virtual Judging Overview

The following extract is copied from the 2021 National Final Supplementary Regulations

This article provides general information and recommended technical arrangements for schools to adopt in order to provide teams with the best possible outcomes for assessment via online interviews. It is strongly recommended that these arrangements are tested before the scheduled interviews to minimise any possible problems.

• Students WILL be involved in judging for a maximum of 2 days during the period outlined in S3.2.1.

• A timetable of scheduled interviews for all teams WILL be released two weeks prior to the commencement of judging.

• Interviews WILL be live via Microsoft Teams meeting software for the following judging categories:

1. Engineering - CAD

2. Engineering - Manufacturing

3. Marketing - Trade Display

4. Verbal Presentation

• Teams WILL receive a Microsoft Teams invitation two weeks prior to the event via their teacher’s email for each of the judging sessions.

• Teams MUST be ready to enter the meeting prior to the scheduled time. A meeting administrator will allow you into the meeting at the allocated time.

• Teams SHOULD have all required software running and files preloaded on their computer prior to entering the online meeting.

• For all interviews other than Verbal Presentations, teams SHOULD prior to the online meeting, become proficient at switching between a view of the team and a view of their computer (screen sharing) to allow judges to assess their models, design and manufacturing process and virtual trade display

• Technology setups and interview timelines are highlighted as diagrams in the pages that follow.

• For Verbal Presentations, teams SHOULD mount the camera on a tripod to ensure a stable and quality video image.

• Technical Components critical to a successful online interview are:

1. Internet connection.

2. Quality of the audio signal - all students must be clearly heard by the judges.

3. Quality of the video signal.

• A test site (Microsoft Team Call Site) WILL be set up which will be available for teams to check the quality of their video and audio signals in the week prior to the event. Details of the test site WILL be forwarded to schools prior to the event.

• You are free to have available additional items such as visual aids you would like to show the judging panel. Display cars are an important requirement for inclusion in online interviews.

• Use a computer with the appropriate performance that will show your work in the best light.

• Use of an optional second camera MAY be used to switch between a view of the team and physical models.

• Child protection protocols dictate that a teacher MUST be present in the room whilst the meetings are underway but coaching will NOT be permitted in line with normal judging practices. A teacher or other adult WILL be required to assist with camera work in Trade Display interviews.

All of the above information can be found in the attached Supplementary Regulations.

2021-National-Final-Supplementary-Regulations-V1.0.pdf