first lego league
DESCRIPTION
FIRST LEGO League. The Unpublished Manual. Linda Whipker Former FLL Research Coach Current FRC Coach Fiona Last-Powell Current FLL Coach FRC Non-Engineering Mentor. Sponsored by: FRC Team PyroTech FLL Living Electric Wake Robotics, Inc. Kevin & Fred FLL Volunteers. Ben - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
FIRST LEGO LeagueThe Unpublished Manual
Linda Whipker Former FLL Research Coach
Current FRC Coach
Fiona Last-Powell Current FLL Coach
FRC Non-Engineering Mentor
Sponsored by:FRC Team PyroTechFLL Living ElectricWake Robotics, Inc.
Introductions
BenFLL Alumni &
Volunteer
Ed & KeithCurrent FLL Members
Kevin & FredFLL Volunteers
FIRSTFor Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
Dean Kamen, Founder
"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders.“
Sunday August 14, 7:00 ABC
THE BLACK EYED PEAS FRONT MAN WILL.I.AM AND INVENTOR/FIRST® FOUNDER DEAN KAMEN TEAM UP FOR A GROUNDBREAKING, ONE-HOUR SPECIAL CELEBRATING EDUCATION, ROBOTICS AND SCIENCE
Overall Values of FIRST
Gracious ProfessionalismTM
◦Defined by each team member!
CoopertitionTM
TeamworkScience and technology
FIRST Programs
6 7 8 9 || 9 10 11 12 13 14 || 14 15 16 17 18
Age
FIRST ® LEGO® League
FIRST ® Tech Challenge
FIRST ® Robotics
Competition
Junior FIRST ® LEGO® League
FIRST ProgramsJr FLL FLL FTC FRC
Age 6 to 9 yo
# on team 2-6
Basis of competition
(Non-competitive)Research/Project
1. “Show Me” presentation
2. LEGO Model (with moving part/s)
RobotLEGO model with
moving part
Cost/team $25 to register
Optional:JrFLL Base Kit $140
WeDo Kit $170
Jr FLL FLL FTC FRCAge 6 to 9 yo 9 to 15 yo
# on team 2-6 3 to 10
Basis of competition
(Non-competitive)Research/Project
1. “Show Me” presentation
2. LEGO Model (with moving part/s)
Robot1. NXT Robot
performance2. Technical
interview
Research3. Research
interview4. Teamwork
RobotLEGO model with
moving part
•Autonomous robot completing missions•NXT Mindstorm/LEGO based
Cost/team $25 to register
Optional:JrFLL Base Kit $140
WeDo Kit $170Tshirts/buttons/other
pieces
$225 to register$65 field set up
Optional:$420 Educational NXTTshirts/buttons/other
pieces
Jr FLL FLL FTC FRCAge 6 to 9 yo 9 to 15 yo 14 to 18 yo
# on team 2-6 3 to 10 10 or fewer
Basis of competition
(Non-competitive)Research/Project
1. “Show Me” presentation
2. LEGO Model (with moving part/s)
Robot1. NXT Robot
performance2. Technical
interview
Research3. Research
interview4. Teamwork
Robot1. Tetrix robot
performance2. Design3. Inspiration
Other4. Engineering
journal5. Spirit
Robot
LEGO model with moving part
•Autonomous robot completing missions•NXT Mindstorm/LEGO based
•Autonomous plus remote control •Team alliance•Mindstorm / Tetrix based
Cost/team$25 to register
Optional:JrFLL Base Kit $140
WeDo Kit $170
$225 to register$65 field set up
Optional:$420 Educational NXTTshirts/buttons/other
pieces
$275 to register
$650 for kit with Mindstorm ($450 w/o Mindstorm)
Resource kit $199
Jr FLL FLL FTC FRCAge 6 to 9 yo 9 to 15 yo 14 to 18 yo 14 to 18 yo
# on team 2-6 3 to 10 10 or fewer 10 to 50
Basis of competition
(Non-competitive)Research/Project
1. “Show Me” presentation
2. LEGO Model (with moving part/s)
Robot1. NXT Robot
performance2. Technical interview
Research3. Research interview4. Teamwork
Robot1. Tetrix/NXT robot
performance2. Design3. Inspiration
Other4. Engineering
journal5. Spirit
1. Programming2. CAD design3. Outreach4. Animation5. Website6. Marketing/
business plans7. Game competition
Robot
LEGO model with moving part
•Autonomous robot completing missions•NXT Mindstorm/LEGO based
•Autonomous plus remote control •Team alliance•Mindstorm / Tetrix based
•Autonomous plus remote control•Team alliance•Full sized robot with professional parts
Cost/team$25 to register
Optional:JrFLL Base Kit $140WeDo Kit $170
$225 to register$65 field set up
Optional:$420 Educational NXTTshirts/buttons/other pieces
$275 to register
$650 for kit with Mindstorm ($450 w/o Mindstorm)
Resource kit $199
$6500 to register+competition$3000 to $5000 materials
$5000 to $25,000 additional costs for equipment/travel
Student PerspectiveBest parts of FIRST?
FIRST LEGO League9 to 14 year olds
FLL Core Values
We are a team. We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our
coaches and mentors. 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 in everything we
do. We have fun.
4 Pillars of FIRST LEGO League
Teamwork◦ How well the students work together, brainstorming, listening to each
other, taking turns leading, how decisions are made, how they work through challenges, student roles on the team
Technical◦ Robot design, attachment design, programming complexity and
understanding of what they did and why Research
◦ Creative solutions, research, outreach/getting solution to the community, full participation of each student in some way, presentation
Robot run◦ Purely based on score◦ 3 to 4 rounds of 2 ½ minutes each – highest score wins
FLL is Customizable
Implementation and logistics of the team is very individual
Use it as:◦ An “extra curricular” club◦ A team activity◦ A social, fun time◦ Your science program
Plan for one year or multi-year achievement (1st year often a “Survey of FLL)
Same students vs pulling in new students each year
Story of the Microbots
Year 1
Fall 2006
Fall 2006: Nanoquest (9-11 yo)
Year 1:◦ No experience with FLL at all (parents or students)◦ No programming experience◦ Some students had no LEGO experience◦ No idea what “Nanotechnology” was◦ By the competition weekend after Thanksgiving, completed no mission
successfully but tried for 4 missions
Research: ◦ How to find a “problem”? How to find a “solution”? Who to share with?◦ A great field trip to NCSU to learn about Atomic Force Microscopes
1st place: Creative Presentation
Year 1 Take-Home
“Survey of FLL” yearGo through the process to find out the
pacing, how to work in a stressful situation with other students
Focus on 1 or 2 missions to do well9 yo’s are often still in the “puppy” stageLots of LEGO building not-on-task
Year 2
Fall 2007
Year 2 Prep (SPRING/SUMMER)
Worked through 3 different years’ missions for practice
Ocean Odyssey Mars Mission Nanoquest
2007: Power Puzzle (10-12 yo)
Season◦ Better programming but still limited ability◦ A bit more strategizing◦ Better attachments◦ Completed more runs
Research◦ Field trips:
◦ Progress Energy, State Energy Office, NCSU Solar House, Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant, NC Sustainable Design Competition
◦ PowerPoint presentations to each other about alternative energy sources; 6 week coop class on Alt. Energy
◦ Energy Audit of Garner Town Hall with presentation to the Garner Town Council
1st place: Research
Year 2 Take-Home
These are the more committed team members who have been through the process once and can take more responsibility
Make sure everyone starts learning different roles and skills
Then, the students took a trip to the World Championships in Atlanta in AprilIt changed the course…
Year 3
Spring/Fall 2008 and
Spring 2009
Year 3 Prep (SPRING/SUMMER)
Extensive scientific research about climate◦ Students presented research reports to each other once a
month◦ Some students did an 8-week “Climate” class◦ Many field trips before September
National Weather Service NC State Climatologist Town of Cary – water sheds, water conservation Integrated water systems National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Environmental Protection Services (EPA) Water Sense Home
Year 3 Research
Within 20 minute after the challenge was announced, decision to tackle global water conservation, in Cary & Brisbane, Australia◦ Online survey (550 responses – 300 from Cary, 80 from
Brisbane Australia)◦ Presented to Environmental Advisory Board of Town of
Cary◦ Created website (http://water4tomorrow.org )◦ Built a huge LEGO water conservation
house (3000 pieces)
http://water4tomorrow.org
Year 3 Outcomes
Programming◦ Better◦ Discovered more things that impacted the consistency of the robot◦ Scored 240 out of 400 at NC Championship (2nd highest) the 1st week of
December
Teamwork◦ Lots of huge positive strides forward in teamwork and knowing how to
work with each other
NC Champions Award 2nd Place Robot Performance
Took apart robot between Dec and May – no back up, no program back up, scored lower in May than in December!
US Open National Championship in Ohio in May◦ 1st Place Teamwork
Year 4 (Ben & Clark No-compete)
Fall 2009
Fall 2009: Smart Move
Ben and Clark’s goal: to be the first team to post a 400 run on youtube by the 1st weekend in December◦Focus on engineering skills
Extensive planning, programming, testing, consistency runs◦2nd perfect run posted on youtube internationally and
1st in the US – Dec 6 Referees at 2 local events Volunteered 75 hours with local LEGO and FIRST events
in the year Summer 2010 – core students in starting an FRC team
FLL 2010: Body ForwardLiving Electric Growing Outside-the-Box(LEGO)
Some comments about Living Electric’s Year
Rookie YearNo matter how well you prepare, a rookie year
is a rookie year and it’s OK7 students on the team
◦1 with previous FLL experience◦5 students with “Intro to FLL” & “Mindstorm
Programming” with ViaRobotics Did lots of research on diabetes for Body
Foward
FLL 2011: Food Factor“Keeping food safe”
2011 Food Factor ChallengeKeeping Food Safe
Can FIRST® LEGO® League teams improve the quality of food by finding ways to prevent food contamination?
In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, students explore food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters – from exposure to insects and creatures, to unsterile processing and transportation, to unsanitary preparation and storage – then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates.
Some guesses for the Food Factor challenge (http://fllblog.wordpress.com/)
2011-12 Schedule
Time What
May thru Sept Team Registration
Sept 2, 12:00 pm Challenge unveiled
Nov 12th Veteran Tournament19th Rookie Tournament
Regionals (SE Raleigh Highschool)
Jan or Feb NC Championship
April 25-28 World Championship
May US Open Invitational(LEGOLand CA)
TIPS
Coaches
Coach’s Role
Lots of discussion about the coach’s role For FLL, the coach is supposed to guide – the students do
the work◦ Coach can ask questions◦ Students learn by making mistakes◦ Off-season is for teaching
However:◦ Varies in how it’s interpreted◦ Judges will check to make sure the students actually have done
their own work◦ Make sure your team agrees on the balance – students and parents◦ The balance is an ever-moving target
Number of Coaches
Need 2 coaches minimum – unless you have highly motivated older students who have the organizational skills and strong desire to do it on their own
2 coaches help by:◦ Reducing stress◦ Providing someone else to take over when you’re at wit’s
end◦ Lets someone else mediate◦ Split robot programming and research responsibilities
Coach and Other Roles
If lots of parents want to be involved:◦Programming/Technical (2?)◦Research (2?)◦Team building (2?)◦Need someone to organize tshirts, buttons,
travel?
Team Organization
Team organization
Handbook suggests taking roles◦Positives:
Allows specialization May be more time effective
◦Negatives: Role may not fit your child but they’re locked in No one else gets to learn that role – or to feel qualified to
do that role Makes the season more boring for some, depending on
how it’s split
Team organization for Microbots
Year 1: 2 Builders, 2 programmers, 2 runnersYear 2: More of a group activity to learn all
the different rolesYear 3: As a team, decide on robot
characteristics, the base robot, and the strategy of the runs◦Then split runs and pairs are responsible for the
entire run (building attachment, programming, getting timing down, placing the robot)
Know what you want to achieve
As the coach and/or homeschool parent, what do YOU want to achieve with FLL?
How does this fit your homeschool?Is this part of your curriculum?How much priority does it take for your
student and for the rest of the family in the bigger picture?
What does the team want to achieve?
Talk over with the students what they want to achieve◦Be realistic
1st year? Amount of time How old the students are Experience going into the season
“Satisfied” vs. “Excited” vs. “Thrilled”Develop a plan to hit that level
Know your rubrics
Posted in the Coach’s Manual or online◦This is what the judges will use◦Go over it with the students
Team BuildingCan these skills be taught as well?
Do Lots of Team Building Activities
Books at the library and ideas online:◦“Team building activities”◦“Ice breakers”
A strong team is one where:◦Everyone’s voice is heard◦They’ve worked through challenges they faced
in terms of conflict or problems – decision making, brainstorming, listening
Learning & Communication Styles
Huge impact on team dynamics and misunderstandings is communication and learning styles◦Auditory◦Visual◦Kinesthetic
How to Brainstorm Effectively
Brainstorming and how to make decisions as a team is a critical skill
Gracious Professionalism!!!Steps in team
building exercises Six Hats
Modified “Three Hats”
Creative hat – pure brainstorming of ideasPositive hat – only positive comments
about all of the ideasCritiquing hat – only critical or limiting
comments about the ideas
Sample Team Work Approach
CRITERIA FOR TEAM BUILDING CHALLENGE1. Ask questions of the judges
• Ask for a 20 second warning before time’s up?2. Decide what the problem and limits are3. Brainstorm (RED HATS )4. Decide on an idea5. Critique it (GREEN HATS)
• Make sure everyone’s included and has a role6. Form a final plan before doing it
Resources
Resources
US FIRST Register your team as early as possible Lots of GREAT resources, including free Coach call-in workshops starting
August 15, 2011◦ http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresources
NC FLL Coach’s Yahoo Group◦ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ncfllcoaches/
NC FLL Coach’s Yahoo Group Classes (Tom Settle/ViaRobotics – through the Town of Cary, Raleigh Parks &
Rec)BooksWebsites
Resources on http://firstlegoleague.org
Date/Time/Call Info Topic
8/15/2011 - 7pm ET Where Do I Start? Coach OrientationAgenda - coming soon
8/23/2011 - 7pm ET Coaching A TeamAgenda - coming soon
9/7/2011 - 7pm ET Basic Programming: Tips, Skills, & ResourcesAgenda - coming soon
9/12/2011 - 7pm ET The Robot GameAgenda - coming soon
9/19/2011 - 7pm ET The ProjectAgenda - coming soon
9/21/2011 - 7pm ET Core Values/TeamworkAgenda - coming soon
10/13/2011 - 7pm ET Judging: A Perspective for the CoachAgenda - coming soon
10/20/2011 - 7pm ET Preparing for an FLL EventAgenda - coming soon
Coach Calls
Potential Challenges for Teams
Potential Team Challenge #1
Parent expectations and philosophy◦What does your family expect to get for this time and
money investment?◦Difference between an “extra curricular” activity vs. an
integral part of a homeschool program◦Priority of the team – what level of commitment is
expected? What if other things come up?◦How much of the learning will be guided vs. student-led –
and are you OK with it being student-led if they really just want to play?
Potential Team Challenge #2
Financial commitment◦ Will you buy a Mindstorm Robot kit for the team?
IF YES, what happens to it when you’re done? IF NO, what happens if it breaks or quits working, what happens
if the owner drops out of the team?◦ (NOTE: Each Mindstorm brick will respond a bit differently to fine-
tuned programs)◦ If you need 3 more Technic or LEGO pieces, are the students
willing to donate them? Will you have to buy them?◦ Batteries, batteries, batteries… ◦ Decide your budget up front and collect the money
Budget
Item Cost Price depends on…Field set up kit $65 + s/h +
tax
Team registration $220
Mindstorm NXT kit $420 + s/h + tax
How team will divvy up pieces at the end OR how to share cost if damage done
Table $10-$150 How it’s made, whether it’s portable or not, complexity
Team tshirts $15/student How many people get tshirts, quality, how printed (iron-on vs. printed)
Additional Possible Costs
Batteries (more chargers/batteries)Travel (Overnight? Gas?)Any research/presentation materialsSpecial LEGO piecesSnacks, mealsButtons to give out at competition
Potential Team Challenge #3
Time commitment◦How much time is enough to meet your
expectations? After school clubs: 2 hours once a week? 2 hours
twice a week? What happens closer to competition?
◦Will you expect work in between meetings?◦Is it OK for some people to work on the robot
when others aren’t?
Potential Team Challenge #4
Team Dynamics◦ Worth providing some skills to the students before this
becomes stressful For better communication How to handle stressful situations Be positive and building others up
◦ Focus on Core Values to give words to students to use ◦ Discuss communication/learning styles:
Auditory, Kinesthetic, Visual ◦ Tools for brainstorming◦ Decide how decisions will be made ahead of time
Student PerspectiveBest parts of FLL