Blue: "I would ask the same thing of my 25 year olds."

This week was hard for Blue Band. Not only did I ask them to start to wrap up their projects and draw as many conclusions as possible, but I also asked them to begin to synthesize all of their data into a stunningly beautiful presentation that they will deliver to the school on Tuesday afternoon.This is a lot.This is a lot because as one door begins to close, I am asking them to open an equally heavy, challenging door to contextualizes their work for public forum. Plus, who is really that comfortable and confident about having to present to 70(-ish) people for 7 minutes anyway?Well, Blue, you're in luck. I'm not a scientist. I don't know a lot about plants or leaves or seeds. I can't tell you much about farming or photosynthesis or cellular structure. But, what I can tell you about is how to present your research.I can tell you how to tell a story in 10 pictures. I can tell you why 10 pictures in 7 minutes is important and how it keeps an audience paying attention. I can let you know how to structure the arc of the story, and what to include -- also what not to include.I can tell you roughly what to say when those pictures are cycling through, and how to stay focused on the positives of your project while also acknowledging the setbacks. I can tell you approximately how many words you need to say in the time you are given, and how quickly and loudly you need to say them.I can show you what 7 minutes feels like for a person talking verses a person listening. I can tell you how to be a good audience member that makes your presenter feel good, supported, and confident.This week, we practiced all these things.I let Blue know it was going to be messy and painful. The practice presentations would feel bad and incomplete. That I didn't expect perfection, and would be very disappointed if they strove for that.After each person practiced their draft presentation, they were lovingly roasted by me and the audience.I gave everyone a job. Specific people critiqued specific things. We timed each person, giving a 2 minute warning, a 1 minute warning, and a cut off if necessary. We critiqued the visuals. We critiqued the speech. We documented the "uhm," "uh," and "like" fumbles. I told them when they weren't talking into our fake microphone or didn't thank a question asker for having the bravery to ask a question -- even if the questions were intentionally stupid. We went through every presentation with the same consideration and thoroughness. Because of the amount of time and energy we spent taking this practice so seriously, we ran way over time and had to miss part of Park.It was hard. (Good!)They got frustrated. (Great!)They also took my loving criticism like professionals. (Amazing.)After we finished all 8 presentations and we were 35 minutes late for Park, I got my jacket and walked out of the building with all of them. On the way to catch up to the rest of the school, they all had this relief and happiness on their faces. It was like we all just ran a marathon together, and it was hard and tiring and sweaty, and we were all glad that it was over."The thing you that all just did," I told them in that moment, "had the same expectation and requirements and standards that I placed on my 25 year old college kids."What? Really?"Yes, really. You all did amazing."All smiles."I'm serious. I've seen better presentations, but I've also seen worse. The thing that you did today was terrible and probably felt terrible, but you got this experience and this feedback so that you can make it better. You have all weekend to do that."(You're welcome.)We jogged the rest of the way, and I watched these 8 kids giggle and scream in the sunlight with their peers.(If only I got to also see the 25 year olds take loving feedback in the same serious, gracious way.)Tuesday is gonna be great!