Northern California FIRST LEGO League Playing At Learning, FIRST partner www.norcalfll.org 2011 1
Playing At Learning 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 2004 Mark Edelman / Jill Wilker co-founders Started as FLL coaches in 2002 Volunteer-driven; currently no paid staff Exceedingly low overhead ~3% (phone & storage) IRS 990 Forms on playingatlearning.org -> About Us Provide & support technology-based enrichment programs for K-12 youth NorCal Partner: Junior FIRST LEGO League [Jr FLL] Kindergarten to 3 rd grade FIRST LEGO League [FLL] 4 th to 8 th grade FIRST Tech Challenge [FTC] 9 th to 12 th grade 2
Our Role in FIRST LEGO League Operationally manage FLL in our region: Northern California [all zip codes between 93901 and 96162] Host and Organize the Regional Championship(s) Coordinate and Manage Tournament system throughout Northern California Provide local support for FLL coaches, mentors, and students training / answering questions Recruit and train tournament officials/volunteers: This year, add ~50 tournament judges and referees Outreach helping to create new teams! Manage growth in region 3
Today s Overview What is FIRST? What is FLL? What is an FLL Team? How does the Season work? How can you get involved? Next Steps / Q&A 4
FIRST For the Recognition and Inspiration of Science and Technology Founded in New Hampshire in 1989 by entrepreneur Dean Kamen President: Jon Dudas, formerly Director of US Patent Office 501(c)(3) nonprofit www.usfirst.org Four FIRST Programs: FRC, FTC, FLL, JrFLL Overall Reach - All Programs (est. 2010-2011 season) 248,000+ students 22,475 teams [17,000+ in FIRST LEGO League] 66,000+ mentors/adult supporters 33,000+ event volunteers 5
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Company 13 th season Fall 2011. Real-world science and technology challenges Teams strategize, design, build, program and test LEGO MINDSTORMS -based autonomous robots Teams will research challenges facing today s scientists and propose a solution! Develop life skills and discover new career possibilities 6
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) 2011 Theme Food Safety With the Challenge theme chosen, FLL begins recruiting a Challenge Advisory Team (CAT) comprised of area experts in the field engineers and scientists - to brainstorm ideas for the Project and Robot Game. Team Registration open May to September Challenge Details announced September 2nd NorCal Tournament season November - January 7
2011 Challenge Teaser: Food Factor Can FIRST LEGO League teams improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination? In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, teams will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous LEGO MINDSTORMS robot to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL s signature set of Core Values. 8
2011 Challenge Teaser: Food Factor Can FIRST LEGO League teams improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination? In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, teams will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous LEGO MINDSTORMS robot to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL s signature set of Core Values. 9
2011 Challenge Teaser: Food Factor Can FIRST LEGO League teams improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination? In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, teams will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous LEGO MINDSTORMS robot to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL s signature set of Core Values. 10
2011 Challenge Teaser: Food Factor Can FIRST LEGO League teams improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination? In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, teams will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous LEGO MINDSTORMS robot to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL s signature set of Core Values. 11
2011 Challenge Teaser: Food Factor Can FIRST LEGO League teams improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination? In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, teams will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous LEGO MINDSTORMS robot to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL s signature set of Core Values. 12
Three Judged Aspects Core Values Project Robot Design FLL Core Values are the cornerstones of the FLL program. By embracing the Core Values, participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and that helping one another is the foundation of teamwork. We are a team. We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors. We know our coaches and mentors don t have all the answers; we learn together. We honor the spirit of friendly competition. What we discover is more important than what we win. We share our experiences with others. We display Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition in everything we do. We have fun. 13
Three Judged Aspects Core Values Project Robot Design Theme-based: Food Safety Typically has 3 components Learn about the topic & identify problem Propose an innovative solution Share with others Not a research paper. Solution can be fantastical or build on existing or realistic solutions. At a tournament, team will give a 5 minute summary presentation of project. Challenge Details announced September 2nd 14
Three Judged Aspects Core Values Project Robot Design Robot Game Theme-based: Food Safety Like an obstacle course with 2½ minutes to run the course with team s robot (3+ tries) Referees score the game Game typically has 3 types of missions Deliver something Collect something Cause something to happen Autonomous LEGO Mindstorms Robot Icon based NXT-G or RoboLab languages Limits on electrical (NXT, motors, sensors) Other limits (ie must fit in base, only LEGO) Challenge Details announced September 2nd 15
2010 Body Forward Challenge Robot Game 16
What is a Team Any group of kids can be on a team! No specific school or organization is needed. Many NorCal teams meet at a school but are only loosely affiliated with the school. [under PTA/PTO vs teacher/admin] We encourage local groups to coordinate teams for their area. [Let us know how we can enable this!] Schools / organizations likely have (or soon to have) volunteer screening requirements. Recommended size is 4-6 members (up to 10 is allowed) Team members are 9-14 year olds (4 th to 8 th grades) Most teams meet at least twice a week for average ~4 hrs/week Must have at least 1 adult as coach (can have more than 1) Kids do the work, set the team goals & make the choices! 17
Items Needed for the team LEGO Mindstorms NXT Robot Kit [any version / model] FLL Challenge Table (or equivalent) 4 x 8 flat plywood with 2x4 side walls Access to a Laptop for programming 2011 Food Factor Field Setup Kit Space to meet Robot build/programming Research project (Internet access?) One or more coaches/mentors at least one must be an adult Plus: Snacks! Team tshirts! 18
Estimated 2011 New Team Costs 1. LEGO Mindstorms Robot Kit 2. FLL Challenge Table 3. At least 1 Laptop 4. Space to meet 5. 2011 Food Factor Field Setup Kit 6. 2011 Team Registration 7. 2011 Tournament Registration 8. Snacks 9. Project Supplies / Misc. 10. Team tshirts! $420 + ~$55 Tax/Shipping ~$60 [Donated wood] Laptop borrowed or donated Donated Space $65 + ~$10 Tax/Shipping $225 + ~$30 Shipping $75 [+ $150 championship] Donated Snacks ~$60 [Donated materials] Team member provide Total: $850 to $1000 Limited team grants exist to help with the most expensive items (in blue) for those in need Some teams look for local businesses to help (like youth sports teams) 19
Keep in Mind! FLL is NOT about competition Vast majority of learning is accomplished before tournaments. Going through the process is the goal. Tournament is a celebration and a deadline. It is about recognizing and celebrating the team s accomplishments. Team Sets Own Goals this defines their success! Team sets their season goals (not coach / not parents) Periodically review / update the goals over the season Do not make winning an award the standard for success. Role of mentors and coaches in FLL Mediator / Arbitrator / Skill Development Facilitate & Challenge - answer a question with a question Keep it FUN Celebrate! 20
Season Overview May-Sept Sept 2 nd Now-Nov Early Oct Late Oct Team registration open 2011 Food Factor Challenge kickoff Details about Robot Game & Project are announced Team Meetings [core values, project, robot] Twice weekly meetings over 8+ weeks NorCal Tournament registration Locally organized scrimmages (recommend attend) Nov First level Qualifier Tournament (attend 1) Dec-Jan Championship tournament 21
NorCal FLL Tournaments In 2010, 22 November Qualifiers 3 December Regionals and 1 Championship In 2011, we are expecting to coordinate ~30 qualifier hosts/organizers and possibly divide into multiple championships to support ~450 registered NorCal teams. This means adding ~50 new tournament officials (judges, referees). We need your help in recruiting adults to help! 22
How Can you be Involved? Volunteer! Mentor/Start a team! TeamUp! on usfirst.org -> FLL is a way to connect interested individuals to get together to form a team. Contact your 4-H, Scouts, Boys&Girls Clubs many have expressed interest but need help getting started Tournament help: Biggest need is for judges and referees. Tournament judge/referee training starts in October and events start in November and go through January. Help Playing At Learning with PR, fundraising, logistics, recruiting volunteers, event hosting. 23
Resources There is almost too much information available online for FLL it can be overwhelming FIRST LEGO League Site www.usfirst.org -> FLL -> Team Resources www.firstlegoleague.org : Official source for Challenge info NorCalFLL Website http://www.norcalfll.org : source for Local events/info NorCalFLL-announce googlegroup for announcements Community / Facebook / Twitter for connecting Kickoff event on September 2 nd - TBD 24
Next Steps 1. Register 1 or more team(s) gofll.usfirst.org Consider size, ages of team members Consider members with like-minded goals & commitment Identify at least 1 adult coach You will not be asked for team members names when you register Order materials [Robot Kit, Field Setup Kit] 2. Volunteer! Tournament Judges/Referees.. Details coming in August on specific tournament dates and training 3. Host/Organize/Sponsor a Tournament: 12 Team tournament can be hosted in a typical cafeteria for robot game/pits plus 3 conference rooms / classrooms for judging. 4. Help support program... We are open to your ideas! 25
Set your DVR: Aug 14 on ABC will.i.am appeared in concert with the Black Eyed Peas as a part of a special concert for the 2011 FIRST World Championships in St. Louis. The concert was recorded for an upcoming special about FIRST to air on ABC August 14 at 7pm called i.am.first. 26
Contact Wrap Up / Q&A http://www.norcalfll.org Email: fll@playingatlearning.org Call (510) 656-8664 Upcoming FLL Web Conferences: Rookie FLL Coach Training on Aug 29 or Sept 14 @ 7pm. Details on norcalfll.org 27