Introduction: Your Guide to Winning

Welcome to your first and most important lesson. Many teams have great ideas but fail to win competitions. Often, the reason is simple: they didn’t follow the rules.

This lesson will teach you how to use the competition’s rulebook as a guide. It’s not there to limit you; it’s there to show you exactly what you need to do to win. By understanding the rules and what the judges are looking for, you can focus your energy on the things that will earn you the highest score and avoid mistakes that could get your team disqualified.

Part 1: Why Rules Are Important

Think of the competition rules like the traffic laws for a boda boda rider. A rider might know all the shortcuts, but if they run a red light, they will be stopped. It doesn’t matter how skilled they are if they don’t follow the basic rules of the road.

In a competition, the rules make sure every team is treated fairly. They are the instructions that tell you exactly what is expected. Ignoring them is the fastest way to lose.

Activity 1: Rule Detective Simulation

It’s time to practice thinking about rules. Read the example from a fake competition rulebook below. Then, answer the questions to see if you can spot the important details a winning team needs to know.

Hint: Read every word. Competitions are very strict about limits and requirements!

Activity 2: Focus on What Matters

The judging rubric is the most helpful document you will receive. It is a direct message from the judges telling you exactly how they will score your project. A smart team uses the rubric to decide where to spend their time.

Based on the example rubric below, drag the team tasks into the correct priority zone. This will show you how to plan your work based on what the judges value most.

Hint: Look at the percentage points. A bigger number means the judges care about it more.