How teams are formed is typically not a topic appraisers need to concentrate on.  The teams are formed well before the tournaments where the appraiser see their performances.  A few points appraisers might need to know are covered below:


  • each team has a challenge and a level
    The team's challenge is the team challenge they have solved.  They will present their solution during their team challenge performance.  A team's level is based on the oldest child or highest grade on the team.  The levels are:

name

abbrev

grade

comment

rising stars

RS

before 3

non competitive; solve RS challenge

elementary

EL

3-5


middle

ML

6-8


secondary

SL

9-12


university

UL

after 12

don't compete until Global Finals


  • a team competes against other teams at the same level and doing the same challenge
    As appraisers we usually don't need to worry too much about this as the DI Scoring Program handles the details.

  • each team can have 2-7 team members
    Teams of 2 are rare, but less than 7 is common.  Rising Stars is not limited to 7 team members.