Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana & FIRST Robotics 2017-2018 Team Application OFFICIAL VERSION Please note that this sponsorship is different from years past. Please read the whole application carefully. Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is seeking Girl Scout teams to represent our council s FIRST LEGO Robotics programs! We re looking for teams to participate in the following challenges/leagues. Note that each member of the team must fall within the age range listed below. For more information visit http://www.usfirst.org/. Return completed applications to Rose Coughlen at RCoughlen@girlscoutsgcnwi.org Grades K-3 (Daisies & Brownies) Junior FIRST LEGO League 4,500+ teams Ages 6 to 9 34,500 children participate every year Participants design and construct a model using LEGO bricks and moving parts and present their research journey on a poster Grades 4-8 (Juniors & Cadettes) FIRST LEGO League 28,000+ teams Ages 9-14 From 60+ countries FIRST LEGO League World Festival at the FIRST Championship Autonomous robots are built using LEGO MINDSTORMS technologies Grades 7-12 (Seniors & Ambassadors) FIRST Tech Challenge 4,500+ teams Ages 14-17 100+ Qualifying and Championship Tournaments FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship at the FIRST Championship Robots are built using a re-usable, modular robotics platform
FIRST is a robotics program designed for youth whose mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders. It engages them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. As a part of a FIRST LEGO Robotics team within Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, your team will: Design, build, test, and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology Apply real-world math and science concepts Research challenges facing today s scientists Learn critical thinking, team-building, and presentation skills Participate in team meetings, tournaments, and celebrations Cost of participation in this program to be paid to GSGCNWI is $20 per girl. The cost includes: team T-shirts admittance to the LEGO Robotics kick-off party a party at the end of the LEGO season a participation certificate a patch. Covered by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana: All regional registration fees Field Setup Kit expenses, Robotics kit Covered by your robotics team: NEW - National Registration Fee per team ($99 for FLL Jr, $225 for FLL, $275 for FTC) NEW - Laptop you may use a personal laptop or purchase a new one, Transportation costs to and from a regional qualifying tournament $50.00 refundable deposit per team for LEGO Mindstorms kit (described in line item #10 of the agreement below) Optional - FLL only: approximately $50.00 to construct a practice table per team $20.00 per team member for participation expenses (ie: t-shirt, admittance to a LEGO kick-off party as well as an end-of-season party, and other expenses) paid to GSGCNWI. Be a part of the excitement! We are looking for teams of Girl Scouts, who have between 2-10 participants, two team leaders, and are willing to dedicate 1-2 hours per week on LEGO Robotics (see sample schedules for tentative timeline). Girl Scouts participating do not necessarily need to be from the same troop. If your team is interested in this incredible opportunity, please complete the attached application and submit it to Rose Coughlen (RCoughlen@girlscoutsgcnwi.org) no later than June 12, 2017. Feel free to call or e-mail with any questions: (312) 912-6309.
Age Range Sample Schedule Sample Schedule for 2017-2018 Dates are subject to change Jr. FIRST LEGO League FIRST LEGO League FIRST Tech Challenge 6-9 9-14 14-17 June 12 Applications Due June 16 Notification of Acceptance July Coaches Informational Meeting August Challenge Released: AQUA ADVENTURE September Council s Kick-off Party/Distribution of Kits January-March - Regional Expos March Council s End of the Year party June 12 Applications Due June 16 Notification of Acceptance/Distribution of LEGO Kits July Coaches Informational Meeting August Challenge Released: FLL HYDRO DYNAMICS July/August Coaches Training September Council s Kickoff Party November-December Regional Tournaments January State Tournament March Council s End of the Year party June 12 Applications Due June 16 Notification of Acceptance July/August Coaches Training September Council s Kick-off Party September Challenge Released/FTC Kick-off November-February Regional Tournaments March Council s End of the Year party April World Expo
To Be Completed by Team Leaders Team Leaders and Contact Information Team Leader #1: Name: E-mail: Address: Daytime Phone: Team Leader #2 Name: E-mail: Address: Daytime Phone: 1. Which level of LEGO Robotics would your team participate? Jr. FLL (Ages 6-9) FLL (Ages 9-14) FTC (Ages 14-17) 2. Have you previously participated in a FIRST program? Yes No Team Number and Year (if yes) 3. Please indicate the city/neighborhood where your team will be meeting. 4. FLL & FTC Teams should have no less than 2 and must have no more than 10 girls. Jr. FLL Teams should have no less than 2 and no more than 6 girls. Based on team s experience, council suggests that the minimum is 3 girls. What is the expected number of girls on your team? 5. In the past, individuals or small groups have been interested, but were not able to form a full team. Are you open to accepting additional team members from your area? 6. We are looking for teams to act as mentors and to support one another. Would your team be interested in mentoring a younger team or rookie team?
7. Please list the names, ages, and grade levels of team members. Also list whether or not they are new to Girl Scouts. Include the names you have currently, they can change or be updated at a later date. 1. Name: 2. Name: 3. Name: 4. Name: 5. Name: 6. Name: 7. Name: 8. Name:
9. Name: 10. Name: IMPORTANT! Beginning in May 2014, FIRST will require all youth team members to register in support of our enhanced Youth Protection Program. An automated email will be sent to the parent/guardian of team members containing the link to the youth team member registration site. The parent/guardian will be asked to provide basic information, such as name, contact information, some demographic characteristics of the child, and sign an electronic Consent & Release Form.
CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE 8. As a team leader, I understand that I am responsible for seeing that the team is coached and will participate in a FIRST sponsored tournament or expo during the 2017/18 season. To the best of my ability I commit to seeing that my team is prepared and I commit to conducting at least one 90 minute weekly team meeting (or equivalent) during the season. (Team Leader #1) (Team Leader #2) I have read and accept this condition. 9. I commit to ensuring that my team participates in a qualifying tournament (for FLL and FTC) or an expo (for Jr. FLL). I understand that funding does not include transportation arrangements to the qualifying tournament and that those are my responsibility. (Team Leader #1) (Team Leader #2) I have read and accept this condition. 10. I agree to maintain awarded kits in useable condition. Upon acceptance of the kit, I agree to pay a $50.00 refundable deposit that will be returned under the condition that the kits are returned complete and organized according to instructions. (Team Leader #1) (Team Leader #2) I have read and accept this condition. 11. For FLL teams only: My team and I understand that a practice table will not be supplied by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and must be supplied by the team. Typical costs for materials to build a table are around $50.00. (Team Leader #1) (Team Leader #2) I have read and accept this condition. 12. I commit to the following team expenses that are not funded by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana: a. Transportation costs to and from a regional qualifying tournament b. $50.00 refundable deposit for LEGO Mindstorms kit (described in line item #8) c. Optional - FLL only: $50.00 to construct a practice table d. $20.00 per team member for participation expenses (ie: t-shirt, admittance to a LEGO kick-off party as well as an end-of-season party, and other expenses e. Laptop personal laptops are ok, or you may purchase a new one. f. National Registration fee per team ($99 for FLL Jr, $225 for FLL, $275 for FTC) (Team Leader #1) (Team Leader #2) I have read and accept the above conditions (a-f). 13. If not already, I commit to registering as an adult volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. (Team Leader #1) (Team Leader #2)
14. I commit to having the team attend at least one council STEM event to talk to other Girl Scouts about the robotics program. Dates TBD o Tinker Girls, Engineering Event Vernon Hills, IL o Girl Scout Cookie Rally Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL o Girl Scout NiSource Day Merrillville, IN o STEMapalooza Girl Scout Friendship Center (Team Leader #1) (Team Leader #2) 15. I understand that if my teams fail to perform on the commitments listed above that we will not be eligible for sponsorships, grant funding and support in future seasons. (Team Leader #1) (Team Leader #2) To Be Completed by Girls 1. Please indicate your team s name. ESSAY Two important ingredients in a successful LEGO Robotics team are commitment and teamwork. In 250 words or less, describe why your group should be chosen to be funded and supported by the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Be sure to include details about how your team would work together (where you would practice, when you would practice, how often you would practice, etc.) and anything that makes your team special and unique. If you are a returning team, please include if there was anything from the previous season you learned about commitment and teamwork that could help you in this season. If possible, please type the essay. (Can be typed into this form or e-mailed to RCoughlen@girlscoutsgcnwi.org in a separate document. If submitted separately, please make sure the team name or leader name is prominent.) Application will not be accepted unless the essay portion is completed.