Student Activities Conference - UTRGV Program

ACADEMIC COORDINATORS: Dr. David Stevens, UIL Director of Academics

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 100. Coordinators and Coaches Update. Room EENGR 1.274  
  This is an overview of how the academic coordinator can ensure a successful UIL academic program. We will cover dates, forms and changes for the year. Dr. David Stevens, UIL Director of Academics.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 101. Survival Tips for the Academic Coordinator and Coach. Room EENGR 1.274    
  A few ideas on balancing coordinator, coaching and teaching duties to provide a great experience for your UIL academic program. Guest Presenter.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 102. I’m the New Academic Coordinator. Room EENGR 1.274     For beginning academic coordinators and coaches. We will cover the basics of getting started and the resources available. Dr. David Stevens, UIL Director of Academics.

ACCOUNTING: Kay Whitton, State Contest Director

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 a.m.

• Session 103.  Accounting Basics of Success. Room ESCNE 2.507 While medals and plaques may be the ultimate goal, there are many levels of success. Come get ideas about how to start a successful accounting program and build that program over time, not overnight!

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 104. Accounting Cycle: Contest to College Major to Career. Room ESCNE 2.507   The Accounting contest offers rewards that can lead to success far beyond a state medal. Come learn how you can find lifelong fulfillment starting with a simple accounting cycle.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 105. Accounting Rocks! Room ESCNE 2.507     An organized game plan to help students (and coaches) learn UIL accounting, using the revised accounting concepts list and resources from the accountingrocks.net website.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 106. Mastering the Accounting Regional Test. Room ESCNE 2.507     Tips on advancing to the Regional meet, then understanding the four main concepts that must be learned to advance to State.

CURRENT ISSUES & EVENTS: Andy Bates, State Contest Director

9:00 a.m.- 9:45 pm

• Session 107. Current Issues & Events Introduction & Discussion. Room ESCNE 2.108  
  The Current Issues and Events contest is designed to help students stay informed about more than what is on Twitter, including issues at the local, state, national and international levels. Over time, students become more informed members of society and more culturally aware. Over time, the contest evolves. Discuss this evolution.

BARBARA JORDAN HISTORICAL ESSAY CONTEST

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 108. One Essay, Big Impact. Room ESCNE 1.604   Discover how students can spotlight individuals, organizations, or movements that have shaped Texas history and culture. This session offers guidance on selecting meaningful subjects and crafting essays that celebrate positive contributions. Students could become UIL state finalists by submitting one essay online. Aaron Cuevas, PSJA Early College HS.

JOURNALISM: Ivan Silva and Luis Alaniz, La Joya ISD

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 109.  Copy Editing 101. Room ESCNE 2.104 Copy editing means more than spelling and punctuation. It’s a skill that prepares students for college and the workforce. Learn different levels of editing from checking grammar and style to assessing the legal and ethical implications of mass media. 

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 am

• Session 110. Good News. Room ESCNE 2.104 Lead with the future event. Then what? In this session, we’ll talk about what makes an award-winning news story and see how you can become a successful reporter for “The Leaguetown Press.” 

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 111. Feature Comforts. Room ESCNE 2.104   A powerful lead is everything. In this session, we’ll look at how the best feature leads draw the reader into a story — and draw the writer into a successful feature writing contest.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 112. Take a Stand. Room ESCNE 2.104   The Highly Capable and Hardworking Human is in the house as we study the editorial writing contest. Get ready to make your voice heard. 

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 pm

• Session 113. It's All in Your Head. Room ESCNE 2.104   A good headline tells the reader what the story is about and makes them want to read it, too. In this session, we’ll show you how it’s done. 

LITERARY CRITICISM: Mark Bernier, State Contest Director

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 114.  A Foundational Introduction to the Literary Criticism Contest. (Double Session Part I) Room Room EENGR 1.268 We will engage in an interactive overview of the four parts of each test.  Bring your questions.

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 am

• Session 115. A Foundational Introduction to the Literary Criticism Contest. (Double Session Part II) Room EENGR 1.268   We will engage in an interactive overview of the four parts of each test.  Bring your questions

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 116. Explicating Poetry for the Literary Criticism Contest. (Double Session Part I)Room EENGR 1.268   We will focus on preparing for Part 2 and Part 3 of the test. 

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 117. Explicating Poetry for the Literary Criticism Contest. (Double Session Part II)Room EENGR 1.268   We will focus on preparing for Part 2 and Part 3 of the test. 

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 pm

• Session 118. The 2026 Reading List and The Handbook to Literature. Room EENGR 1.268   A discussion of how to use the Handbook in preparation for the test will follow a general overview of the selected reading for this year's Part 2. 

READY WRITING: Ruben Rodriguez, State Contest Director

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 119.  Ready Writing: An Overview of the Contest! Room EENGR 1.603 For new contestants. Double Session Part I. A review of UIL rules, the Ready Writing rubric and contest fundamentals and writing strategies. Designed for first-year competitors and beginning coaches.

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 120. Ready Writing: An Overview of the Contest! Room EENGR 1.603  For new contestants. Double Session Part II. A review of UIL rules, the Ready Writing rubric and contest fundamentals and writing strategies. Designed for first-year competitors and beginning coaches.

11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 121.  An Introduction and Review of the New Ready Writing Scoring Guide. Room EENGR 1.603 For new contestants and coaches. Double Session Part I. An overview of changes in the new rubric used for grading.

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 p.m.

• Session 122. An Introduction and Review of the New Ready Writing Scoring Guide. Room EENGR 1.603 For contestants and coaches. Double Session Part II. An overview of changes in the new rubric used for grading.

SOCIAL STUDIES: Andy Bates, State Contest Director

 

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 124. Introduction to the Social Studies Contest. Room ESCNE 2.108  Discuss the basics of how to approach the UIL Social Studies Contest.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 125. Social Studies: Advanced. Room ESCNE 2.108   Review rules, contest format, information related to this year’s topic, what type of questions to expect and resources that will prove useful.

SPELLING & VOCABULARY: Linda Berrey, State Contest Director

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 127. Becoming Legitimate Logophilic Laureates. Room ESCNE 2.102 Strategies for upping your spelling game.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 128. Strategies for Upping Your Spelling Game. Room ESCNE 2.102   Applying spelling strategies and taking a practice test.

CALCULATOR APPLICATIONS: Dave Bourell, State Contest Director

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 200. Beginning-Introduction to the Contest. Room ESCNE 1.288  Review format, scoring and types of problems. 

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 am

• Session 201. Intermediate-State of the 2026 Contest and Units Workshop. Room ESCNE 1.288   

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 202. Intermediate – Acceleration and Trajectory Stated Problems. Room ESCNE 1.288   

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 203. Advanced - Taking and Scoring a Full Contest. Room ESCNE 1.288   

COMPUTER SCIENCE: Dr. Shyamal Mitra, State Contest Advisor 

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 204. UIL CS Contest Rules. Room EENGR 1.242  This session is for first-time contestants and coaches. We will review the contest's structure and the basic rules for the written and the programming parts. We will share some tips on how to do well in both.

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 am

• Session 205. Computational Thinking. Room EENGR 1.242    The foundation of Computer Science is computational thinking. It is a powerful approach to problem-solving with or without computers. Ours will be a gentle introduction to computational thinking using puzzles.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 206. Syntax of Java. Room EENGR 1.242  We will cover the basic syntax of Java, including object-oriented programming concepts that will allow you to write powerful programs. We will discuss strategies for mastering the written test.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 207. Basic Algorithms. Room EENGR 1.242     Algorithms are step-by-step solutions to computational problems. Most algorithms are composed of some critical components. We’ll cover basic algorithms and classes of algorithms, including recursion and data structures, which are helpful in the programming contest.

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 pm

• Session 208. Computing Resources. Room EENGR 1.242   We will survey the resources that are available for self-study or used in a school curriculum to produce world-class programmers.

MATHEMATICS & NUMBER SENSE: Larry White, State Contest Director/Assistant Director 

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 209. Mathematics Contest. Room EENGR 1.300  Overview of the UIL Mathematics contest: guidelines, rules, resources, practice materials, Q&A. 

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 am

• Session 210. SAC 2025 Mathematics Test. Room EENGR 1.300   Take/grade the new 40-minute 60-question SAC 2025 Mathematics test followed by Q & A to discuss/answer questions from the test.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 211. UIL Number Sense Contest. Room EENGR 1.300   Overview of the UIL Number Sense contest: guidelines, rules, resources, practice materials, 

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 212. SAC 2025 Number Sense Test. Room EENGR 1.300   Take/grade the new 10-minute 80-question SAC 2025 Number Sense test followed by Q & A to discuss/answer questions from the test. 

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 pm

• Session 213. Number Sense and Mathematics Joint Session. Room EENGR 1.300 Work, discuss and answer questions from the tests. 

ROBOTICS: David Trussell, UIL Director of STEM

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 am

• Session 214. Introduction to UIL Robotics. Room EENGR 1.262   Double Session Part I. An overview of program structure, options and guidelines for participation, recommended resources, and more.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 215. Introduction to UIL Robotics. Room EENGR 1.262   Double Session Part II. An overview of program structure, options and guidelines for participation, recommended resources, and more.

SCIENCE: Dr. David Bixler, Dr. Brian Anderson and Meghan Pavlicek, State Contest Directors 

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 216. The Big Picture. Room ESCNE 2.106  An overview of the Science contest, how to prepare your students and what to expect from the test writers. Dr. David Bixler, Dr. Brian Anderson, and Meghan Pavlicek, state contest directors.

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 am

• Session 217. Meet the New Biology Contest Director. Room ESCNE 2.106   Meet the new director and hear about her approach to writing questions, with a brief look ahead to the 2026 season. Meghan Pavlicek, state contest director.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 am

• Session 218. Chemistry Deep Dive. Room ESCNE 2.106   A discussion of the process used by the Chemistry director when he writes questions for the UIL exams and suggestions for preparing for the chemistry portion of the exam. Dr. Brian Anderson, state contest director.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 pm

• Session 219. Coaches' Roundtable. Room ESCNE 2.106 A discussion among UIL Science Coaches and Science Directors about topics such as recruiting, motivating, and preparing students for the UIL Science competition. New coaches as well as veteran coaches are invited to attend. Dr. David Bixler, Dr. Brian Anderson, and Meghan Pavlicek, state contest directors.

ORAL INTERPRETATION

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 300. Prose and Poetry: Let’s Start at the Very Beginning. Room ECOBE 110 For novice competitors. Starting at the very beginning is a very good place to start if you’re new to oral performance in high school. This workshop introduces novice and new prose/poetry coaches to the contest rules and procedures. Maegan de la Rosa and Carlos Palacios, PSJA Southwest ECHS.  

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 301. Categories for 2025-26. Room ECOBE 110   For novice and varsity competitors and coaches. Don’t “miss the boat this season!” Walk through the prose and poetry categories for this competition year, including a discussion of the true intent of Category A and B performers should understand when planning their performances. Jana Riggins, State Speech Director.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 302. A Dialogue for Experienced Performers. Room ECOBE 110   For advanced competitors. Tips on selecting literature for performance, cutting your piece, whether to weave or not, using teasers effectively, the importance of physical focus, imagery in reading aloud. Maegan De La Rosa and Carlos Palacios, PSJA Southwest ECHS.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 303. Prose and Poetry Performance Showcase: Recognizing Joy. Room ECOBE 110     This session features performances to demonstrate Category A: Recognizing Joy. Be inspired by performances followed by oral critiques by experienced judges that share insight into what this category is all about.

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 p.m.

• Session 304. Prose and Poetry Performance Showcase: Inspiring Change. Room ECOBE 110     This session features performances to demonstrate Category B: Inspiring Change. Be inspired by performances followed by oral critiques by experienced judges that share insight into what this category is all about.

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 305. An Introduction to Extemporaneous Speaking. Room ECOBE 118 For novice competitors. Gain insight about the rules, draw room procedures and strategies for competing in Informative and Persuasive Speaking. Robert de la Rosa, Vela HS

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 306. A Toolkit for Extemporaneous Speaking. Room ECOBE 118   For experienced speakers. The economic way of thinking provides a toolkit for making sense of complex issues often addressed in informative and persuasive speaking questions. Economic discussion about top issues of energy, inequality, globalization, and labor mobility. Greg Rehmke, Economic Thinking

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 307. A Toolkit for Extemporaneous Speaking. Room ECOBE 118   For experienced speakers. (Repeat session) The economic way of thinking provides a toolkit for making sense of complex issues often addressed in informative and persuasive speaking questions. Economic discussion about top issues of energy, inequality, globalization, and labor mobility. Greg Rehmke, Economic Thinking.

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 p.m.

• Session 309. In the News! Room ECOBE 111 For novice competitors. Learn how to create your digital files via a computer program. What work does it take on the part of the competitor? How are the files created? What options for software are there to use? How to use the files efficiently during prep time. Robert de la Rosa, Vela HS

DEBATE: Dr. Rich Edwards, State Contest Director. 

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 310. Getting Started in CX Debate. Room ECOBE 121 If you’re just beginning in policy debate, this session is for you! Come learn about the event and how to prepare for competition. Vanessa Chapa, McAllen HS.
• Session 311. The Basics of Lincoln Douglas Debate. Room ECOBE 111
  If you’re just beginning in policy debate, this session is for you! Come learn about the event and how to prepare for competition. Antonio Valdez, Santa Maria HS

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 312. Advanced Lincoln Douglas Debate: Concepts and Strategies. Room ECOBE 111 For varsity debaters. This workshop will explore effective arguments and strategies for varsity LD debaters. Antonio Valdez, Santa Maria HS
• Session 313. CX Debate Topic Analysis: The Affirmative. Part I. Room ECOBE 116
  For novice and varsity debaters. The author of the Policy Debate Quarterly will examine the affirmative position providing great information and insight in this year’s policy debate topic. Common affirmative cases will be discussed.. (double-session – Part II later in the day) Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University and UIL debate consultant.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 314. CX Debate Topic Analysis: The Affirmative. Part II. Room ECOBE 116 For novice and varsity debaters. The author of the Policy Debate Quarterly will continue examining the affirmative position providing great information and insight in this year’s policy debate topic. Common affirmative cases will be discussed. Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University and UIL debate consultant.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 315. CX Debate Topic Analysis: The Negative. Room  ECOBE 116 For novice and varsity debaters. The author of the Policy Debate Quarterly, which is the first and most authoritative research released on the policy topic each year, will examine the negative position of this year’s policy debate topic. Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University and UIL debate consultant.
• Session 316. The Basics of Lincoln Douglas Debate. (Repeat) Room ECOBE 111
   If you’re just beginning in policy debate, this session is for you! Come learn about the event and how to prepare for competition. Antonio Valdez, Santa Maria HS

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 p.m.

• Session 317. CX Debate Topic Analysis: The Negative. For novice and varsity debaters. Part II. Room ECOBE 116 The author of the Policy Debate Quarterly, which is the first and most authoritative research released on the policy topic each year, will continue to examine the negative position of this year’s policy debate topic. Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University and UIL debate consultant.
• Session 318. Lincoln Douglas Debate: Values Clash. Room ECOBE 118
  For novice and varsity debaters. For novice and varsity debaters. Personal autonomy vs state power to compulsory service.  Is compulsory service justified if it can benefit society and/or improve our lives/ Greg Rehmke, Economic Thinking .

CONGRESS: Jana Riggins, UIL Director of Speech, Debate & Congress

 10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 320. An Introduction to Congress. Room ECOBE 120G If this is your first experience competing in Congress, come learn about this exciting event – we’ll cover the rules, legislation, chamber roles and parliamentary procedure. Vanessa Chapa, McAllen HS

11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 322. Congress: Constructing the Congressional Speech. Room ECOBE 120G   Discussion on how to develope the all-important speech in Congress. The "Canned speech" won't convince and won't impress the scorers. Vanessa Chapa, McAllen HS

SPEECH COACHES: Jana Riggins, UIL Director of Speech, Debate & Congress

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 324.  Middle School Debate. Room ECOBE 116 For middle school debaters and coaches. An explanation of the middle school debate competition UIL is offering, how it contrasts from high school debate, resources provide. Come find out all about this exciting opportunity for middle school! Dr. Rich Edwards, Baylor University and UIL debate consultant.

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 325. Calling All New Speech and Debate Coaches! Room ECOBE 121 If you’re new and inexperienced, Welcome! Bring all your questions to end your confusion and network with an experienced mentor! Learn UIL resources at your fingertips to help you have a successful year! Vanessa Chapa, McAllen HS.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 326. Training Interp Judges and Timekeepers. Room ECOBE 119 For coaches and contest district officials. Walk through a discussion on how to train your district judges and timekeepers for prose and poetry. Jana Riggins, UIL Speech Director.

 

 

ONE-ACT PLAY: Paula Rodriguez, State Contest Director. 

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 400. THEATRE GAMES!  Room ELABS 107  Theatre games to help us grow as actors....and have a little fun! Charles Brenner, Theatre Director, Sharyland Pioneer HS. 
• Session 417. Character Arc. Room ELABS 351 This introductory course will offer students insight into what adjudicators are looking for when they say "I want to see how your character grows and/or changes throughout the play" including Demonstrating Personalized Power,  
  Communicating Objectives, Obstacles & Tactics and Activating Group Focus. Christopher Fernandez, TTAO Adjudicator, Weslaco ISD.   
• Session 419. Stage Ready: Tech Team Prep for UIL One Act. Room ELABS 303 This short workshop will cover the basics of getting ready for One Act Play contest, from the start of the season up until contest. How to have a good tech mindset and best practices for preparing for your contest. Joseph Armendariz, Theatre teacher, Harlingen South High School.           

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 401. Sound Design and Special FX for Film and OAP. Room ELABS 303 Students and teachers will learn how to use a free DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to record and edit sound effects. How to utilize plug-ins and effects to add depth and dimension to recorded sounds to make it “fit” the scene/film. Sean Folk, McAllen HS.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 402. Meet the OAP Judges- The Most Common Notes I Find Myself Giving as an Adjudicator in the UIL One-Act Play Contest. Room ELABS 200  Students and teachers are welcome at this two-way discussion with OAP judges. What are they looking for? How do you select acting awards and much more! Bring your questions. TTAO Adjudicators, Lisa Moreno, Christopher Fernandez and Joel LaMar Cruz.
• Session 418. Acting Exercises in Believability and Ownership. Room ELABS 107  This workshop will consider some fundamentals of acting: the importance of being believable and making your lines free from predictable usage. We will do a few exercises in these areas. Eric Wiley, Professor, UTRGV Theatre.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 403. Let’s start from the very beginning: UIL One Act Play Rules, Planning, Updates and Questions. Room ELABS 200   For ALL OAP Directors. Paula Rodriguez, UIL State Theatre Director.
• Session 415. Stage Combat! Break a leg, but not really. Room ELABS 107  (Double Session) Part 1 This basic stage combat double session will cover basic stage combat techniques and safety. 20 student participant max. Students should wear comfortable clothes and be comfortable with contact from other students and instructor. Basic theatrical slap, punch and fall techniques will be demonstrated.  Peter Mikolasky, Chair, UTRGV Theatre, , Monta Studio Theatre.

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 p.m.

• Session 416. Stage Combat! Break a leg, but not really. Part II. ELABS 107. This basic stage combat double session will cover basic stage combat techniques and safety. 20 student participant max. Students should wear comfortable clothes and be comfortable with contact from other students and instructor. Basic theatrical slap, punch and fall techniques will be demonstrated. (Double Session) Peter Mikolasky, Chair, UTRGV Theatre, Monta Studio Theatre.   
• Session 420. Shining on Cue: Lighting Prep for UIL OAP. Room ELABS 303. Best practices for preparing lighting, programming, and pitfalls to avoid for UIL OAP. Joseph Armendariz, Theatre teacher, Harlingen South High School.                                                                                                              

FILM: 

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 405. Cinematography- A Brief Lesson on 6 Shots (Extreme Wide, Wide, Medium, Over the Shoulder, Close Up, Extreme Close Up). Room ELABS 259  We will not only view samples of these shots but understand why they're used and how you can use them to enhance your storytelling. Brandon Castellanos, Multimedia Coordinator, City of Harlingen.                                                                                                                       

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 406. Behind the Camera: Communicating with Talent. Room ELABS 259 In this workshop students will learn how to properly connect with their talent to create impactful films and documentaries. Jose Ochoa, Video Production Teacher, Sharyland HS.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 407. And the Award Goes to...Building the Skills to Start an Award-Winning Film. Room ELABS 259 In this session, students will learn how to get started on creating an award-winning film. Subjects include Camera Basics, Story Telling, Audio and Sound Effects, Editing and Submission to Film Festivals; Jose Ochoa, Video Production Teacher, Sharyland HS.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 408. Creative Incubator: Power up Your Film Ideas. Room ELABS 259  In this session students will have the opportunity to learn new tactics on how to create fun and creative stories for their films. Jose Ochoa, Video Production Teacher, Sharyland HS. 

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 p.m.

• Session 409. Getting Started with the UIL Film Festival. Room ELABS 200   For students and new sponsors. Are you new to UIL Film? This session will give you a jump start. Get informed about the categories & rules, view examples of past winners, and find the inspiration. Paula Rodriguez, UIL State Theatre Director.                                                                                                                         

THEATRICAL DESIGN: Rachael Gomez, State Contest Director. 

 9:00 a.m.- 9:45 am

• Session 410. The Basics: What Is the Theatrical Design Contest? Room ELABS 304  This Session is for those looking to enter the contest for the first time or who would like a refresher on the expectations. Because the challenge is different every year, it is important to update as you are starting your competition year. If you have never participated but would like to… hopefully this session will inspire you to compete in what promises to be our best year ever.

  9:55 a.m.- 10:40 a.m.

• Session 411. The Prompt. Room ELABS 304   Double Session Part I. Our contest this year is based on the play, THE KING STAG. The design challenges are super exciting and offer some new project opportunities within the different categories. This session will dig into the many possibilities of concepts to explore and how to incorporate the prompt within your designs.

10:50 a.m.- 11:35 a.m.

• Session 412. The Prompt, Continued. Room ELABS 304   Double Session Part II. Our contest this year is based on the play, THE KING STAG. The design challenges are super exciting and offer some new project opportunities within the different categories. This session will dig into the many possibilities of concepts to explore and how to incorporate the prompt within your designs.

  11:45 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

• Session 413. What Makes a Winning Entry. Room ELABS 304   The Theatrical Design Contest incorporates a 30/30/20/20 Evaluation system. Learn what to do to maximize success within each criteria. This is ultimately an artistic communication contest so let’s talk about what that looks like for you. We will also talk pro-tips and tricks for making your entry stand out.

  12:40 p.m.- 1:25 p.m.

• Session 414. Vertical Team Strategies to Engage Middle School Design Students and Build Your Team.. Room ELABS 304   With the introduction of the new UIL MS Theatrical Design Contest you have the chance to grow your learning and resources as a High School team. Learn lots of ways to work and learn together and exponentially increase your chance for success.