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FIRSTFIRST LEGO LeagueLEGO LeagueThe Unpublished Manual

Linda WhipkerFormer FLL Research Coach

Current FRC Coach

Fiona Last-PowellCurrent FLL Coach

FRC Non-Engineering Mentor

IntroductionsIntroductions

FIRSTFor Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Dean Dean KamenKamen, Founder, 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.“

Overall Values of Overall Values of FIRSTFIRST

�Gracious ProfessionalismTM

◦Defined by each team member!

� CoopertitionTM

� Teamwork

� Science and technology

FIRSTFIRST ProgramsPrograms

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

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FIRST ProgramsFIRST 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)

Robot

LEGO model with

moving part

Cost/team $25 to register

Optional:JrFLL Base Kit $140

WeDo Kit $170

Jr FLL FLL FTC FRC

Age6 to 9 yo 9 to 15 yo

# on team2-6 3 to 10

Basis of

competition

(Non-competitive)

Research/Project

1. “Show Me”

presentation

2. LEGO Model (with moving part/s)

Robot

1. NXT Robotperformance

2. Technical

interview

Research1. Research

interview

2. Teamwork

Robot

LEGO 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 FRC

Age 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)

Robot

1. NXT Robotperformance

2. Technical

interview

Research1. Research

interview

2. Teamwork

Robot

1. Tetrix robot performance

2. Design

3. Inspiration

Other1. Engineering

journal

2. 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 FRC

Age 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)

Robot

1. NXT Robotperformance

2. Technical interview

Research

1. Research interview2. Teamwork

Robot

1. Tetrix/NXT robot performance

2. Design3. Inspiration

Other1. Engineering

journal2. Spirit

1. Programming

2. CAD design3. Outreach4. Animation

5. 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 $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

$6500 to

register+competition$3000 to $5000 materials

$5000 to $25,000

additional costs for equipment/travel

FIRST LEGO League9 to 14 year olds FLL Core ValuesFLL Core Values

� We are a team.

� We do the work to find solutionswith 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.

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4 Pillars of FIRST4 Pillars of FIRST LEGO LeagueLEGO 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

20112011--12 Schedule12 Schedule

Time What

May thru Sept Team Registration

Sept 2, 12:00 pm Challenge unveiled

Nov/Dec Regionals (Raleigh area)

Jan or Feb NC Championship

April 25-28 World Championship

May US Open Invitational(LEGOLand CA)

FLL is CustomizableFLL 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 Story of the MicrobotsMicrobots

Year 1Year 1

Fall 2006

Fall 2006: Fall 2006: NanoquestNanoquest (9(9--11 11 yoyo))

� 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

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Year 1 TakeYear 1 Take--HomeHome

� “Survey of FLL” year

� Go 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 well

� 9 yo’s are often still in the “puppy” stage

� Lots of LEGO building not-on-task

Year 2Year 2

Fall 2007

Year 2 Prep Year 2 Prep (SPRING/SUMMER)(SPRING/SUMMER)

� Worked through 3 different years’ missions for practice

� Ocean Odyssey

� Mars Mission

� Nanoquest

2007: Power Puzzle 2007: Power Puzzle (10(10--12 12 yoyo))

� 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 TakeYear 2 Take--HomeHome

� 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 April

It changed the course…

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Year 3Year 3

Spring/Fall 2008 and

Spring 2009

Year 3 Prep Year 3 Prep (SPRING/SUMMER)(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 ResearchYear 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 conservationhouse (3000 pieces)

http://water4tomorrow.orghttp://water4tomorrow.org

Year 3 OutcomesYear 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 Year 4 (Ben & Clark No(Ben & Clark No--compete)compete)

Fall 2009

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Fall 2009: Smart MoveFall 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 FIRSTevents in the year

� Summer 2010 – core students in starting an FRC team

FLL 2010: Body ForwardLiving Electric

Some comments about Living Some comments about Living Electric’s YearElectric’s Year

FLL 2011: Food Factor“Keeping food safe”

2011 Food Factor Challenge2011 Food Factor ChallengeKeeping Food SafeKeeping 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.

TIPSTIPS

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CoachesCoach’s RoleCoach’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 CoachesNumber 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 RolesCoach 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 OrganizationTeam organizationTeam 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

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Team organization for Team organization for MicrobotsMicrobots

� Year 1: 2 Builders, 2 programmers, 2 runners

� Year 2: More of a group activity to learn all the different roles

� Year 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

What DO you want to achieve?What DO you 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 rubricsKnow 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?

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Do Lots of Team Building ActivitiesDo 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

◦ Students have roles that they work on

◦ There are examples of challenges they faced where they had to work through conflict or problems

Learning & Communication StylesLearning & Communication Styles

� Huge impact on team dynamics and misunderstandings is communication and learning styles

◦ Auditory

◦ Visual

◦ Kinesthetic

How to Brainstorm EffectivelyHow 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”Modified “Three Hats”

� Creative hat – pure brainstorming of ideas

� Positive hat – only positive comments about all of the ideas

� Critiquing hat – only critical or limiting comments about the ideas

Sample Team Work ApproachSample Team Work Approach

CRITERIA FOR TEAM BUILDING CHALLENGE

1. Ask questions of the judges

• Ask for a 20 second warning before time’s up?

2. Decide what the problem and limits are

3. Brainstorm (RED HATS )

4. Decide on an idea

5. Critique it (GREEN HATS)

• Make sure everyone’s included and has a role

6. Form a final plan before doing it

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ResourcesResourcesResources

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/

Books

Websites

Potential Challenges for TeamsPotential Team Challenge #1Potential 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 #2Potential 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

BudgetBudget

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 sharecost 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)

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Additional Possible CostsAdditional Possible Costs

� Batteries (more chargers/batteries)

� Travel (Overnight? Gas?)

� Any research/presentation materials

� Special LEGO pieces

� Snacks, meals

� Buttons to give out at competition

Potential Team Challenge #3Potential 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 #4Potential 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 Perspective