Write It Do It B/C

[mnstrviola]

Hi. I'm new to this event, and i'm just wondering: how do people do this event? Do people use codes or something to shorten down the time it takes to write?
Kind of from a small-town school and the seniors who were doing it just graduated. I read the forums and wiki, but it is still pretty confusing.
Can anyone help me?

Hi, welcome to scioly!

For Write it Do it, there is no right way that works for everyone. Try doing practices with your partner and see which method works best. Have the writer get some Legos, make something out of it, and then write how he/she built it. The doer should then use the instructions to rebuild the model. Then the writer and doer can discuss what went wrong and how they can improve.

Codes aren't technically allowed, but you can shorten the time by finding a way to communicate with your partner that could still be understandable to a normal person.

Not Good: Giraffe @ 5 &(*@ red piece FJQJD
OK: Red Piece 5 up and 3 down, under thumb-long brick

[piisamazing]

Codes aren't technically allowed, but you can shorten the time by finding a way to communicate with your partner that could still be understandable to a normal person.

Not Good: Giraffe @ 5 &(*@ red piece FJQJD
OK: Red Piece 5 up and 3 down, under thumb-long brick

Even though codes are allowed, you can use abbreviations and, to some extent, create a code that shortens writing tome, as long as you include a key of what your abbreviations mean. Also, when you don't know what a piece is, simply describe it by how it looks or by comparing it to a common object.

[Gemma W]

Codes aren't technically allowed, but you can shorten the time by finding a way to communicate with your partner that could still be understandable to a normal person.

Not Good: Giraffe @ 5 &(*@ red piece FJQJD
OK: Red Piece 5 up and 3 down, under thumb-long brick

Even though codes are allowed, you can use abbreviations and, to some extent, create a code that shortens writing tome, as long as you include a key of what your abbreviations mean. Also, when you don't know what a piece is, simply describe it by how it looks or by comparing it to a common object.

I assume that you mean "even though codes are NOT allowed".

[piisamazing]

Codes aren't technically allowed, but you can shorten the time by finding a way to communicate with your partner that could still be understandable to a normal person.

Not Good: Giraffe @ 5 &(*@ red piece FJQJD
OK: Red Piece 5 up and 3 down, under thumb-long brick

Even though codes are allowed, you can use abbreviations and, to some extent, create a code that shortens writing tome, as long as you include a key of what your abbreviations mean. Also, when you don't know what a piece is, simply describe it by how it looks or by comparing it to a common object.

I assume that you mean "even though codes are NOT allowed".

Oops! My bad.

[alpacas]

How do you guys think the WIDI "objects" compare in difficulty/complexity/variety of materials from invitationals-regionals-state-nationals? I have only competed once on WIDI (at nationals last year) and I was wondering how you think that the other competitions will compare, at least in your experience? Or what is most commonly used in terms of materials? (Sacramento Regionals, NorCal)

[Allinea]

I haven't seen a whole lot a variation in difficulty based on level. There was a really hard invitational build my first year, and the same year the MN regional build was easy. If anything, I think the difficulty varies on how many people are competing; the more teams the harder it is.

[Gemma W]

How do you guys think the WIDI "objects" compare in difficulty/complexity/variety of materials from invitationals-regionals-state-nationals? I have only competed once on WIDI (at nationals last year) and I was wondering how you think that the other competitions will compare, at least in your experience? Or what is most commonly used in terms of materials? (Sacramento Regionals, NorCal)

In my experience, Invitationals has a huge amount of variation based on which invitational you go to, but as far as the actual competition goes, it's usually pretty much the same in NY. At my regionals, it's generally legos, knex, or some other simple building material with small variation in connections. Both states competitions that I've been to have been knex, but I'm sure that this is different in other states. generally I'd imagine that it would also be a building toy. At nationals, however, the structure may include pieces from building toys, but almost certainly will not be exclusively these and the connections will be far from simple. In 2012, for example, some major components of the structure were a rubber glove with pipe cleaners wrapped around it. Last year, the materials included something they had made a hole in that was very difficult for the builders to replicate (or so my partner told me). All in all, nationals is generally quite difficult in comparison with states and regionals.

[knittingfrenzy18]

don't ask me, I only have one year of experience...but:

Maryland..is somewhat fail -_-

Same [somewhat fail] WIDI coordinator for both Regionals and States. (same [fail] food sci coordinator for that matter)

Invitationals...I'll say good enough. Interesting. Balloon thingy
Regionals: pipe cleaners and beads and a tack pin.
States: well what do you know? pipe cleaners, beads and a tack pin. different object, but well, experience.
Nationals...ooh toughie craft thingy. we managed to pull off 12th somehow.

I'll say altogether not too hard. I think. I personally haven't run into any toy building stuff (legos/knex type stuff) in competiton yet so we haven't really practiced those much...but yeah.

[Skink]

Just remember that Supervisors are encouraged to use different materials from last year/last competition. Pipe cleaners twice isn't good form.
ANyways, in IL, we have (former) National supervisors at both levels, and we've seen it all from blocks to a smorgasbord of office and household items (plates, Post-Its, etc.). It helps to be prepped for LEGOs and K'nex, but you never know. All I can say is always write a materials list, especially in C. SUpervisors, regardless what they use, tend to put more in with the Doer's supplies than they need.

[hscmom]

What's helped strengthen our team is to practice often (duh...) but also make sure there is time for a post-mortem. The doer needs to tell the writer what was understandable and what wasn't. Then the two of them should work to clear up the confusing stuff.

Personalities DO have a lot to do with it. When I've worked with teams that have egos ("Well, if you had only said that it pointed UP, then I wouldn't have missed it!" is a losing attitude whereas a kind, "I think we'd do better if you'd say it pointed up. As it is, I guessed wrongly.")

Oh, and if you don't have a lot of time, then don't do a full-blown, 25 item trial, just do three or four items. Have the writer write for 5 minutes and then doer do for 5 minutes and the two of them review how it went for 5 minutes. Each tiny practice sharpens skills.

And, now and then, switch roles. It helps the team appreciate each other! So, two or three times between now and competition, have the doer write and the writer do.

If there are days that one person of the event team can't practice, the other person can sharpen his or her estimating skills. Take out a pencil and draw a line 15 cm long. Is your 15 cm shorter or longer than a real 15 cm? Draw a 50 degree angle. Was it right on?