Competition Information
Competition Format
Written Report
Each competing team is required to create a written (typed) annual report of its educational outreach projects. Annual reports are limited to three possible configurations:
- Four single sheets of 8 ½" X 11" paper with print only on one side of each sheet.
- Two single sheets of 8 ½" X 11" paper with print on both sides of each sheet.
- One sheet of 11" X 17" paper with print on both sides and folded in half.
If a team uses a cover or back page, it will count as one of those pages. Teams should not use folders, report covers, etc. in conjunction with their annual reports. Teams should utilize standard binding methods (staples, spiral, wire, etc.) when assembling annual reports.
Every team must have their Sam Walton Fellow, one student and one other administrator (dean, department chair or college president) review and sign their annual report. Each copy of your annual report does not need an original signature-photocopies or digital signatures will suffice. If signatures are not included on all annual reports, SIFE teams will not be allowed to distribute reports to judges.
Annual reports are distributed to the judges during the set-up period as outlined below. Teams will be notified in advance as to the number of annual reports they are required to bring to Regional and National Competitions.
Live Presentation
Each competing team will have a 37 minute time block for its verbal/audio/visual presentation. The League Coordinator will keep the official time. After the League Coordinator formally introduces the Sam Walton Fellow and team, the time will be precisely divided as follows:
- Set-up: 7 Minutes
The team will have a maximum of seven minutes to distribute written annual reports for judges to review prior to its presentation and to set-up presentation equipment (boot computers, power up projectors, check lighting and sound, etc.). Once the team has tested the equipment, projector lenses should be covered, no images or text should be projected, and no music or sound effects should be generated for the remainder of the set-up period. - Live Presentation: 24 Minutes
The team will have a maximum of 24 minutes to give its verbal/audio/visual presentation. - Question and Answer Period: 5 Minutes
There will be a mandatory five minute question and answer session for the judges. During this time, projector lenses should be covered, no images or text should be displayed and no music or sound effects should be generated. Please note that any time remaining from the 24 minute live presentation will be added to the mandatory question and answer session. - Tear Down: 1 Minute
The team will have one minute to return the presentation area to the original set-up and exit the room.
Anyone, including faculty, may assist the team with the set-up or operation of audio/visual equipment, however, only student team members may participate in the presentation or take questions from the judges.
No team may set up any equipment in the presentation room before being formally introduced. All equipment must be self-powered or use electrical outlets inside the competition room.
No documentation, materials, gifts or other handouts may be given to any judges with the exceptions of the team's annual report and a team roster with a brief biography of each team member for possible recruiting purposes.
Competition Rules
Student Registration Requirement
Any student who attends a SIFE USA competition at any level must be a registered SIFE student through the online registration process found at www.sife.org.
Reporting Activity
All SIFE teams must distinguish activities and results completed during the current year and cumulative. SIFE teams must clearly define their role in projects done in cooperation with their school or other groups including specific duties they did versus what their partners did. Procedures for documenting team activity are explained in detail in the appendix of the 2006-2007 SIFE USA Information Handbook. The same rules that apply for the Team Data Sheet should be followed when reporting activity in all SIFE competitive events.
Room Set-Up
SIFE will provide the following equipment in each presentation room:
- One eight foot or larger screen
- One extension cord
SIFE does not provide other equipment of any kind, such as computers, slide projectors, monitors, TVs, VCRs, carts, tables, etc. It is the sole responsibility of each team to secure the use of any other equipment.
Presentation rooms will be locked the evening before the competition. There is no practice time in competition rooms.
Equipment Failure
If a team's presentation equipment ceases to operate because of a power failure in the competition facility, the competition will be halted until the problem is corrected. If the electronic equipment the team brings into the competition room fails, the time will continue to count down from the presentation time block.
Competition Room Access
Competition rooms are open to all registered attendees. SIFE teams and visitors are invited to watch other teams present, but they are asked to enter and leave rooms only during the set-up period. The area behind the judges is considered public domain. Doors to the competition room must remain unlocked and clear at all times to provide access to SIFE World Headquarters' staff. Penalty for violating this rule is automatic disqualification.
Video/Copying Policy
By competing at any SIFE sponsored competition, each team grants SIFE World Headquarters the right and permission to document and publicize or otherwise utilize its annual report, oral presentation and outreach projects for illustration, advertising, training or any other lawful purpose.
SIFE teams may record the presentations of other teams at SIFE competitions under the following conditions:
- No lights are to interfere with or inhibit the presenting team.
- The team videotaping should be courteous and cause the least amount of distraction possible to the presenting team, including no rewinding or fast forwarding of tapes or making any other distracting noises during the presentation.
- Set-up must be behind judge and audience seating.
Media Policy
The SIFE official photographer/videographer and members of the mass media approved by SIFE have full access to all presentation rooms at any time. This includes the use of lights and necessary equipment. All teams should be prepared for the possibility of members of the mass media taping or taking pictures of their presentations. Penalty for violating this rule is automatic disqualification.
Hotel Policy
If a SIFE team has a complaint lodged against it by any hotel in any city during a SIFE sponsored event that involves repeated security violations, the offending SIFE team will forfeit all prize money, trophies and faculty stipend for that year.
Observers
Upon approval from SIFE World Headquarters, non-competing SIFE teams are invited to attend any SIFE USA Regional Competition, the SIFE USA National Exposition and the SIFE World Cup as observers. Registration is required.
Name Badge Policy
For security reasons, no one will be allowed to participate in any SIFE event without displaying a SIFE approved name badge at all times. Specifics on obtaining name badges will be communicated to teams prior to all SIFE events.
Competition Requirement
Teams selected as Regional Champions are required to compete at the SIFE USA National Exposition or forfeit their $1,500 cash award. In the event of forfeit, the team does retain its title and trophy.
In the event that a SIFE USA Regional Champion team is unable to fulfill this competition requirement, the 1st Runner-up team from its Regional Competition league will be invited to compete in its place at the SIFE USA National Exposition. If the 1st Runner-up team is also unable to attend, the 2nd Runner-up team from the same Regional Competition league will be invited.
Expenses
All expenses, with the exception of any meals provided by SIFE, are the responsibility of the individual SIFE team. Teams should inquire with the hotels as to their rules regarding tax exemption for non-profit institutions.
Competition Pairing Process
At the national level, teams in the opening round will be separated into two divisions: the two-year college division and the four-year university division. The teams are placed into competition groups using a computerized pairing process. This program takes into account each team's competition performance from the previous year. First year "rookie" teams will be evenly distributed among the leagues. The computer program will randomly assign presentation times.
Leagues
The number of leagues in the opening round of competition is dependent upon the number of Regional Champions named in the current competition year.
