FIRST Lego League
Parents Information Night
- Parents new to Lego League Parents or
Parents of student “graduating” to a new level of Lego League-
April 23, 2013
Presentation for Grades 4th to 12thFLL - = 4th Grade
FTC – FRC = High School
Sponsored by
Young Innovators’ Society
Young Innovators’ Society = YIS
Who we are:
YIS is local organization that inspires K-12 students to
pursue STEM* learning, entrepreneurship and to
become gracious, professional leaders.
*STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Young Innovators’ Society Programs
Acronyms Defined
• F.I.R.S.T. - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
and Technology – National Program
Jr. FLL = Junior First Lego League (k-3)
FLL = First Lego League (4-8th grade)
FTC = First Tech Challenge (High School)
FRC= First Robotic Challenge (High School)
• Y.I.P.E.E. = Young Innovators’ Pursuing Engineering and Entrepreneurship
– Science (straw rockets, Olympic skimmers, etc.)
– Entrepreneurship Program (Lemonade Day)
– Engineering & Entrepreneurship (Lemonade Stand Design & build)
• Rocketry - TARC
YIS Accomplishments
Junior FIRST Lego League (K-3rd Grade)
• 18 Jr. FLL Teams (K-3rd)
Attended Expos
• Jr. FLL everyone is an
“Awesome Winner”!!
Accomplishments 2012-13
YIS FLL (FIRST Lego League 4th – 8th Grades)
• 18 YIS FLL Teams Competed in tournaments
• 7 YIS FLL Teams Advanced to Districts
• 4 YIS FLL Teams Advanced to State
Tournament (Awards = Innovation, “Coopertition”,
Research, and Judge’s Choice)
• 2 YIS FLL Teams are Regional Ambassadors
• 3 YIS FLL Teams competed in Global
Innovation Award and invited to
Entrepreneurship Fair at University School
FLL
YIS Accomplishments
FIRST TECH Challenge = FTC High School
FTC
• FTC Teams competed at
several tournaments and
YIS placed in the top
quartile
• College Scholarships
FTC
FRC High School
FRC Cleveland State
FRC
FRC
First Robotics Challenge
High School Program
Short Season
Giant Robots
Cleveland State Tournament
Young Innovators’ Society & FIRST
What YIS does to enhance the FIRST experience
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YIS / FIRST Season kick-off with Core Values
Field Trips and/or Speaker Panel
Coach Roundtables (training & support)
Scrimmage
Presentation Night
Solon Tournament
Inspiration & Recognition
Parents information / membership meeting
Resources: coaches, mentors, “kid” mentors, former
judges are all part of YIS
What is F.I.R.S.T. Lego League
For the Recognition of Science & Technology
VIDEO =>
• Founders= Dean Kamen, Woody Flowers- MIT
• Core Values & Gracious Professionalism based
• Sponsors- Rockwell*, Time Warner, Timken,
Nestle.
• Expos / Awards
• www.usfirst.org (non- profit) USE WEBSITE!
FIRST “Challenges”
Topics Sudied:
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2009 Smart Move (Supply chain study)
2010 Body Forward (Biomedical)
2011 Food Factor (Food Safety)
2012 Super Seniors (Improving Seniors’ lives)
2013 NATURES FURY – DISASTER BLASTER
– Preparation – Response – Recovery-
FIRST Lego League Team members:
(Ages 9 – 14 years)
Kids who turn 14 before Jan 1st may NOT be in FLL.
Kids younger than 9 may graduate with their team to FLL if older
kids were on their team who cannot remain in Juniors.
Kids younger than 9 who are new to the program are STRONGLY
discouraged from entering at FLL.
FLL (grades 4-8)
• Team of 4 to 10 students (YIS recommends 5
to 8)
• Meets 1 or 2 times per week
• THREE ASPECTS:
– CORE VALUES
– INNOVATIVE SOLUTION (research & presentation)
– ROBOTICS
Core Values
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Gracious Professionalism
Inclusion
Discovery
Integration
Team Spirit
COMPETITION = Team exercise & Presentation
Innovative Solution
• Create an innovative (new!) solution
• Research – Scope of problem, existing
solutions, evidence innovative solution will
work, cost of implementation, etc.
• Present Findings - Trifold poster and verbal
presentation (often a skit)
• Opportunity to submit idea for professional
review after competition
Robotics
* Robotic Missions on 4’ x 8’ Lego Table
Build robot w/NXT Brick & Legos
Program Autonomous Robot
Do it again & again
• Robot Engineering (Present to Judges)
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Flowcharting
Design process
Strategy
Program code
FLL – Typical Meeting (2 hrs)
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Kids gather (snack if after school)
While they eat, discuss plan for the day
Teamwork game
Brainstorming/ Robot strategy (group think)
Split up for work in pairs like
– Building attachment
– Programming
– Researching specific ideas
FLL Tips
From Team 7+1 = State Participant from Solon
• Time (You decide!)
– Very competitive teams meet 5 hours per week
– New teams often meet 2 – 3 hours per week
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Build a structure with simple time line and objectives
Define your research project early and stay on course
Carve out some fun time during weekly practice
Practice as much as possible
Get assistance from other team member parents
Tap into the current FLL resources
Coach info
• Lego League is Coach Driven
• Every team needs a parent volunteer coach –
organizer type parent
• Every team should have a volunteer mentor –
technology type parent adult
• WE NEED COACH VOLUNTEERS! Without them
new coaches/mentors we can not form new
teams.
• ALL Team parents should have roles on your team
(helpers) snack, extra set of hands/eyes.
FLL Coach(es) Responsiblities
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Each team requires a Coach and a Mentor or one very wonderful parent who is
willing to fill both roles.
Coach Responsibilities & Mentor Responsibilities:
Arrange team location/ time schedule
Understand Lego education tools available
Send roster and dues to YIS
Collect money, register team with FIRST, order kit, register for tournaments
Tutor students to use Lego tools
Communicate with team members/ parents
Attend coaches training workshops and rountables
Ensure Team project meets F.I.R.S.T requirements for tournament
Arrange access to computer (PC based) (as applicable)
Participate in November Solon Scrimmage
Register for Tournament in December
Collect sizes & quantity to order T-shirts
Coordinate session agendas with mentor
Coaches Workshops
See www.solonstem.org for more details of dates
• Solon- May 8, 2013 Orchard Middle School: How to coach:
• Please attend if you are considering coaching, mentoring or helping
a team
Rockwell Automation –Weekends- AWESOME TRAINING lots of
training on technical aspects.
• Discussion: Tournaments, Research Projects, Core Values,
Coaching Tips, Problems, Teamwork Strategies, NXT Software,
Tips and Tricks, Building Tips.
• Program a prebuilt robot to complete a mission
Coaches
• There are typically training courses held by
F.I.R.S.T. during the summer.
• Register early, they tend to fill up. We will
also be having coach/ mentor meetings.
• YIS web site www.solonstem.org
Team Formation
• 10 teams formed in Solon (First Year)
– 4 Jr. FLL
– 6 FLL teams
• 24 Teams in the Second Year
– 12 Jr. FLL
– 12 FLL
– 1 FTC
• 38 Teams in Third Year…
• How they came to be….
Team Formation
Its up to you. – but we can help!
– YIS DOES NOT “PLACE” KIDS ON TEAMS– ATTEND THE POPCORN SOCIAL EVENT- May 22, Solon
Community Park – 7:00 pm to find a team.
– Talk to other parents with interested kids
– Approximately the same grade level
– School Attended
– Neighborhood
– Existing Friends
– Schedules / Conflicts
– Coach Availability is the primary factor
– Team Goals and Commitments
Teams can form now:
• Collect names & numbers of others at the Popcorn
Social.
• When you find a team and someone volunteers to
coach it, only the coach can put you on the roster.
• Match availability & compatibility
• Formed Teams:
• Coach submits “Team Roster, Membership Forms, and
Membership Checks to YIS• You don’t pay until you are on a team.
• *Choose wisely -there are no refunds*
• Coach designs budget, orders equipment from FIRST
COACH submits roster Online…
• Formed Teams:
• Coach submits “TEAM Roster, Membership
Forms, and Membership Checks to YIS
• Coach designs budget, orders equipment from
FIRST DIRECTLY (change from last year)
• Coach selects and registers their team for the
tournament / expo they want to participate in
• DO THIS EARLY for best tournament selection
FLL Estimated Costs FIRST Lego League
Ages 9 - 14 years
Team size: 4 - 8 participants
FLL
Young Innovators’ Society Perks
Team Access & Base Kit
$260.00
> Information Night to get started
Robotic Equipment (Mindstorm)
Rechargeable Battery
$350.00
$50.00
$660.00
> Team formation support
> Coach & Mentor training
> Access to experienced coaches
> Coach Roundtables
Platform for Robotic presentations
$100.00 estimate
> Fall scrimmage for team practice
 Presentation Night (for practice)
 Core Values Kick-off
Tournament costs
$75.00 estimate
Tournament presentation materials
Team laptop, field trips, snacks
$50.00 estimate
$435.00 estimate
YIS Dues
$480.00 ($80x6)
$570.00
Total estimate per team:
Per student fee:
> Possible panel or field trip
> Team designs unique t-shirts
YIS dues is $80/ student
$1800
$300.00 (based on 6 students)
Not included:
Travel expenses to local tournament (to be decided by team).
Other expenses may arise. These should be discussed with your coach. There are no refunds.
Corporate Sponsorship
• Rockwell Employee = Can Coach or Mentor up
to Four FLL Teams.
• Rockwell provides sponsorship grants
Important -On line Resources
• FIRST information Details= www.usfirst.org
• Young Innovators Society info:
– Membership, dates, program details:
• www.solonstem.org
• YIS President – Nadine Otterman
• Nadine.otterman@gmail.com
240-446-5096
• YIS Membership – Denise Riccio
• solonengineersclubmembership@gmail.com 440 -349 -1473
Discussion & Questions Session
• Visit Teams and see their
– Models
– Posters / Research Presentations
– Robots in action
• Meet Existing Coaches
• Coaches: Let us know when you have your team
• Don’t forget about the coaches workshop May 8.
• Popcorn Social = May 22!
YIS Members-Reminder Parents Night
Volunteers & Responsibilities
• DJ – bring model lego / poster –Orange T
shirt/3x5 cards, pencils, slide show, projector,
cable, Extension cord, laptop, speakers
• NO- Bring FLL poster/robot/project
• Mike F- Mat- Table Field kit, sound system
• Michele F – Banner – Nametags
• Scott Barto FTC – robot, project?
• Teams coming?
• Wear Orange T- Shirts