Montana Destination Imagination

So What's a Tournament Data Form

The completed Tournament Data Form (TDF) is the appraisers' first indication of how well your team understands the challenge.  The last two pages of your Team Challenge is the Tournament Data Form and it has specific places for you to record everything you are asking the appraisers to score.  We actually recommend that you fill out the second page first with your Central Challenge information and then identify your Side Trips on the first page.  Without the Tournament Data Form, the appraisers could miss important areas where your team should receive points.  Taking the time to map your challenge on the Tournament Data Form and making sure that each Appraiser gets one is well worth it!

Here are some tips to help you filling out your Tournament Data Form:

• If you are an Elementary team the Team Manager may physically write the information on the Tournament Data Form but it should be in the team's words.
• The Team Challenge Tournament Data Form has been purposely designed to encourage your team to describe their solution as briefly as possible so that the appraisers can look it over quickly before your performance.  That said, your team should use the space available to give the appraisers as much information as they can.  If your team has lots of information to give or they want to make sure it is legible, they will want to download the form for their challenge from the Team Manager page under 2008 Interactive Forms.  The team can fill in the form on their computer in smaller (10 pt. or larger please!), legible font and save it.  They can also make changes if needed and print the five copies needed at check-in.
• If your solution contains a surprise for the audience but your team wishes the surprise to be scored, it is wise to tell the appraisers about the surprise on the TDF.  Although most people enjoy surprises, your team will want the appraisers thinking, "I can't wait to see how they do this!" rather than "I hope I don't miss the surprise, whatever it is!"
• After you have covered all the challenge requirements, talk about the things that your team added that make it truly special and unique.  Side Trips are scored for creativity/originality and for quality/workmanship/ effort.  If a team identifies an element that is already being scored in the Central Challenge it will not be scored.  For this reason it is important for your team to make distinctions between the Side Trip element and Central Challenge elements if they are related or similar.  An identified Side Trip for teamwork, research or anything outside the allotted performance time should be backed up with something tangible that the appraisers can see or hear during the performance.  Just remember, Appraisers are awarding Side Trip points for how the team's effort and creativity contributed to the required elements of the solution.
• Remember that appraisers only have about 3 minutes to read the Tournament Data Form.  Therefore, the team shold make sure that the points they want the appraisers to zero in on should be clearly written.  They don't have time to read lengthy descriptions - those can come during the interview process after your performance.

Getting Ready for Tournament

The best way to have a great experience at tournament is to take the time to plan. 

• Fill out the Declaration of Independence (2 copies), Expense Report (1 copy) and Tournament Data Forms (5 copies).  A copy of any clarifications your team requested for its solution via the clarification web site.  For added insurance, make sure that you have two separate sets of paperwork transported to the tournament by different people. 
• Have the team make an inventory of all scenery, props, costumes and prep items such as make-up.
• Put together an emergency tool kit of items that might be necessary in case of accidents involving scenery, props and costumes.  Include some First Aid supplies for incidental boo-boos.
• What else might we need? Batteries? Extension Cords? Light Bulbs? Bottled water?
• Carefully pack your props and load into vehicles in such a way to protect against damage.  Check off your inventory list as you load. 
• Have a meeting with team and team parents covering the following:

*Arrival time/place.
*Team time for preparing for performance.
*Team time for warming up for Instant Challenge.
*Interference reminders/Behavior Expectations.
*Team Spirit and Sportsmanship.
*The DI Store and souvenirs.
*Awards Ceremony.
*Snacks/Lunch
*Cakewalk contributions.
*Cameras and camcorders. (don't forget film/memory cards!) (Make sure these have a name on them and their cases in case you set it down and forget it while moving props.)
*What will happen if we win the State Tournament and are invited to Global Finals.
*Check in on tournament day in plenty of time to unload, pick up registration packet, and check in at least 20 minutes before scheduled performance and 20 minutes before Instant Challenge.
*Have a great time at the 2009 Destination ImagiNation tournaments!