Fll Handbook 2013 PDF for Download

8/13/2019 Fll Handbook 2013 PDF for Download

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2013 FIRST

All rights reserved except as noted i

FIRSTLEGOLeague

Coaches Promise1. The children come first. My role as a Coach is to inspire

my team and help them get excited about science,technology, and engineering. This means that I will stepin to guide and support them when they need it, but Iwill make sure my teams robot, project, and Core Valuesmaterials are the work of team members.

2. The children do the work. Adults may teach my team

new skills, handle logistics for the team, ask questions toget team members thinking, and remind them of the FLLrules. Team members are the only ones who decide onstrategy, build, program, research, choose a problem andinnovative solution, and present at a tournament.

3. My team is

c Comprised of 10 or fewer members and all teammembers participate on only 1 FLL team per season.

c Comprised of team members no older than the agelimit in my region on January 1 of the Challenge year.

c Registered as an official FLL team.

4. FLL will communicate with my team via the primaryemail address I provided when I registered my team. Iam responsible for reading and relaying all aspects ofFLL guidelines and rules to my team, other Coaches,

Volunteers, and parents.5. I will encourage my team members, other Coaches,

Volunteers, parents, and team supporters to develop andpractice a set of FLL Core Values that reflects the FIRSTgoal to change culture in a positive way by inspiringothers through our teams actions and words.

FIRSTLEGOLeagueCore ValuesWe are a team.

We do the work to find solutions with guidancefrom our coaches and mentors.

We know our coaches and mentors dont have allthe answers; we learn together.

We honor the spirit of friendly competition.What we discover is more important

that what we win.

We share our experiences with others.

We display Gracious ProfessionalismandCoopertitionin everything we do.

We have fun.

ROBO

TGAME

COREVA

LUES

PROJECT


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COACHES HANDBOOK 2013 FIRST All rights reserved except as notedii iii

FIRSTLEGOLeague Coaches Handbook9thEdition, 2013 printing

FIRSTLEGOLeague (FLL)200 Bedford StreetManchester, NH 03101firstlegoleague.orgusfirst.org/fll

FLL is the result of an exciting alliance between FIRSTand The LEGO Group.

2013 United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science andTechnology (FIRST) and The LEGO Group. All rights reserved.

Official FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams and FLL Operational Partners are permitted

to make reproductions of this handbook for team and Operational Partner use only.Any use, reproduction, or duplication of this manual for purposes other than directlyby the FLL team as part of its FLL participation is strictly prohibited without specificwritten permission from FIRST and The LEGO Group.

LEGO, the LEGOlogo, MINDSTORMSNXT, RCX, and ROBOLABare registeredtrademarks and trademarks of The LEGO Group, used here with special permission.

FIRST, the FIRSTlogo, FIRSTRobotics Competition, FRC, FIRSTTechChallenge, FTC, Gracious Professionalism, and Coopertitionare registeredtrademarks of FIRST.

FIRSTLEGOLeague, Junior FIRSTLEGOLeague, FLL, and Jr.FLL, NATURESFURYSM, and the NATURES FURYSMlogo are jointly held trademarks of FIRSTandThe LEGO Group.

LOGO USAGEFor team branding use, teams may design their T-shirts, hats, banners, and fliersaround the FIRST or FLL logos. All teams and sponsors should consult the FIRSTBranding & Design Standards and the Policy on the Use of FIRSTTrademarks and

Copyrighted Materials (including FIRSTand The LEGO Group Intellectual Property)available on the FIRSTwebsite at www.usfirst.org/brand. The logos must remainunmodified and their use should promote FIRSTLEGO League in a positive manner.

No teams or sponsors may use the FIRST or LEGO logos in any advertising (due toIRS rules). This means that the logos cannot be used to promote commercial goodsor services for sale. The logos may, however, be used by teams to identify themselvesas part of the FIRSTnon-profit mission.

Teams may receive and sponsors may contribute sponsorships (funding for whichthey are acknowledged but for which their products are not promoted). Under IRS501(c)(3) rules, FIRSTcan acknowledge (thank) supporters, and with permission fromFIRST, sponsors can use the FIRSTname(s) to indicate that they support FIRST.No sponsor is allowed to use the FIRSTname or logo without written permissionfrom FIRSTexcept as outlined in the Policy on the Use of FIRSTTrademarks andCopyrighted Materials.

FIRSTLEGOLeague

2013 Coaches Handbook

PREPARE. STAY SAFE. REBUILD.
http://firstlegoleague.org/http://usfirst.org/fllhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/Jr.FLLhttp://www.usfirst.org/brandhttp://www.usfirst.org/brandhttp://localhost/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_3/Jr.FLLhttp://usfirst.org/fllhttp://firstlegoleague.org/


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COACHES HANDBOOK

2013 FIRST

All rights reserved except as notediv v

Chapter 7 FLL Tournaments

63 Event Types

64 Tournament Applications

68 Tournament Logistics

71 How the Day Works

72 Sample Tournament Schedule

77 Top 10 Tips for Tournaments

78 Sample Questions to Ask Your Tournament Organizer

Chapter 8 Judging and Awards

81 Judging Roles

86 Judging Subjectivity

87 FLL Deliberations

88 FLL Awards Structure

89 Awards Eligibility

Chapter 9 Celebrate Your Season

95 Celebrations

97 Extend Your Season

98 Pat Yourself on the Back

Appendix A Money Management

103 Sample Budget

Appendix B Sample Schedule

105 Sample Schedule

Table of Contents

FLL Core Values

inside front cover

Reference

i FLL Coaches Promise

vi Contacts

Chapter 1 What is This All About?

4 Cornerstones

7 Quick Start Guide

Chapter 2 Building a Team

13 The Teams Foundation

19 Roles & Responsibilities

21 Top Ten Tips for Rookie Teams

Chapter 3 Start Your Season

25 Groundwork

28 Early Season Meetings

Chapter 4 FLL Core Values

35 The FLL Core Values

37 Prepare for a Tournament

Chapter 5 The Robot Game

43 Robot Game Preparation

45 Robot Game Execution

46 Prepare for a Tournament

49 10 Robot Game Tips

Chapter 6 The Project53 Project Preparation

54 Project Steps

57 Prepare a Tournament Presentation

60 After Tournament Season
http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-


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COACHES HANDBOOK 2013 FIRST All rights reserved except as notedvi vii

ContactsProduct Billing, Shipping, and Invoicing

LEGO Education (U.S. teams only)

Phone: 1-800-362-4308

Fax: 1-888-534-6784

Email: [email protected]

Address: LEGO Education

PO Box 1707

Pittsburg, KS 66762-1707 USA

Spectrum Educational Supplies LTD

(Canadian teams outside Quebec)

Phone: 1-800-668-0600

Fax: 1-800-668-0602


Address: SPECTRUM Educational Supplies Ltd.

150 Pony Drive

Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B6 Canada

Brault & Bouthillier (Canadian teams in Quebec)

Phone: 1-800-361-0378 or 1-514-273-9186

Fax: 1-514-273-8627

Address: Attn: Eric Patenaude

700 Avenue Beaumont

Montreal, Quebec H3N 1V5 Canada

Replacement LEGO Parts

Go to www.LEGO.comand click on Customer Service at the

bottom of the screen. Enter set number from the side of

your robot set box or use set 9664 for the FLL Mission Model

Set. Then select the pieces you need from the list on-screen.

Phone: 1-800-422-5346

Questions on the Challenge or Judging

FLL Robot Game Questions: [email protected]

FLL Project Questions: [email protected]

FLL Judging Questions: [email protected]

LEGO MINDSTORMS Help


Phone: 1-866-349-LEGO or 1-866-349-5346

FLL Team Support (General Questions, Registration and Tournaments)

FLL Team Support &General Information: 1-800-871-8326


Websites: firstlegoleague.org

usfirst.org/FLL

Find your FLL Partner

firstlegoleague.org
mailto:fllhelp%40pitsco.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:fllhelp%40pitsco.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:fllinfo%40spectrumed.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:fllinfo%40spectrumed.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helphttp://www.lego.com/mailto:fllrobotgame%40usfirst.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:fllprojects%40usfirst.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:flljudge%40usfirst.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:support%40legoeducation.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:support%40legoeducation.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:firstlegoleague.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:firstlegoleague.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helphttp://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/mailto:firstlegoleague.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:support%40legoeducation.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:flljudge%40usfirst.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:fllprojects%40usfirst.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:fllrobotgame%40usfirst.org?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helphttp://www.lego.com/mailto:fllinfo%40spectrumed.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Helpmailto:fllhelp%40pitsco.com?subject=Nature%27s%20Fury%20Team%20Help


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COACHES HANDBOOKviii

PREPARE. STAY SAFE. REBUILD.


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Chapter1

n

WhatisThisAllAbout?

What is This All About?


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2013 FIRST All rights reserved except as noted || 3n


Coaches are a huge part of what makes FIRSTLEGOLeague

possible. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or Volunteer, youhelp us bring FLLto your team. FLL would not exist without

you. We just cannot say it enough we think you are awesome!

We created this Coaches Handbook as a guide to help younavigate the complete FLL season. From recruiting your teammembers all the way through celebrating at the end of your season,this book contains suggestions to help you along the way. We have

collected tips from experienced Coaches, responded to commonquestions from rookies, and included insider advice from thepeople at FLL headquarters who write and produce the annual FLLChallenge materials.

New to FLL?As a new Coach, we recommend that you at least scan all chaptersof the Coaches Handbook. Chapter 1will give you an overview ofthe adventure you are about to begin, and the chapters that followwill give you more detail about what to expect at each step.

Coached before?As an experienced Coach, you may not need to read the first fewchapters in detail. However, we highly recommend that you takeanother look at Chapters 4 8. Even after you have gone throughone (or more) seasons, you may find some helpful new tips and

ideas to incorporate this year.

Remember though, this handbook is only a guide. One of our CoreValues is We know our Coaches and Mentors dont have all theanswers; we learn together. Use the Coaches Handbook to helpyou guide your team, but also enjoy the experience of learningalongside the kids. Dont forget, this is going to be fun!

With High 5s and Admiration,FLL Headquarters StaffManchester, NH, USA

Chapter1

n

WhatisThisAllAbout?

http://-/?-http://-/?-


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|| COACHES HANDBOOK: Chapter 1

2013 FIRST

All rights reserved except as noted ||4 5nn

FLL from other programs. By embracing the CoreValues, participants learn that friendly competitionand mutual gain are not separate goals, andthat helping each other is the foundation ofteamwork. All FLL participants, includingCoaches, Mentors, Volunteers, team parents,and team members, are expected touphold and display Core Values in all theydo. Learn more in Chapter 4.

The FLL Challene

Each fall, we provide FLL teams around

the world with an annual Challenge onfirstlegoleague.org. The Challenge is basedon a set of real-world problems facingscientists and engineers today. Coaches andteam members should read the Challengetogether. The Challenge description isnot a lesson plan; it is meant to be sharedso that all team members and Coaches canlearn together. The Challenge has 2 parts: theRobot Game and the Project.

In the Robot Game, teamsdesign, build, program, andtest autonomous robotsusing LEGOMINDSTORMStechnology. The robots

are designed and programmed by teammembers to perform a series of tasks,or missions, during 2 minute matcheson a playing field which reflects the real-world theme for this season. Learn more inChapter 5.

In the Project, teams researcha real-world problem in thefield of this seasons Challengetheme. Then they create aninnovative solution to that

problem (either by creating something thatdoesnt exist or building upon somethingthat does). And finally, teams share theirfindings with others. Learn more in Chapter 6.

Reminder

FLL expects teammembers, Coaches,

Mentors, parents, andother family members

to model goodbehavior and uphold

FLL Core Values.

Tip

Autonomous meansthe robot movesand operates by

itself. Your team willprogram the robot

using a computer andthen run the programs

at the tournament.

CornerstonesAt its basic level, FIRSTLEGO League (FLL) is a program ofexploration for children age 9 to 16 (9 to 14 in the U.S., Canada,and Mexico), which is designed to get children excited aboutscience and technology and teach them valuable employmentand life skills. FLL can be used in a classroom setting butis not solely designed for this purpose. Teams can also beassociated with a pre-existing club or organization, or just bea group of friends who wish to do something awesome.

FLL Operational Partners Make it Possible

FLL relies on great people to run the program at many levels,from managing a region to coaching an individual team. We callthe leaders in each region the FLL Operational Partners, or FLLPartners. They are a tremendous resource for you as a Coach, andFLL would not exist without them.

Our FLL Partners agree to maintain FLLstandards for tournaments, the Challenge,and overall program administration. Atthe same time, the resources of each FLLPartner vary from region to region. SomeFLL Partners are affiliated with majorcorporations or universities that supportFIRSTand FLL. Others are based in a non-profit that has a complementary mission

to FLL, and some are individuals with apassion for our cause operating out oftheir homes. All Partners do their best tomake sure FLL is a great experience foreveryone involved.

Your FLL Partner is an important resource for information abouttournaments, potential training options, and other resources thatmay be available in your area. We highly recommend contactingthem if you have any questions about your local FLL opportunities.

FLL Core Values

The FLL Core Values, found inside the cover of thisbook, are the cornerstones of the FLL program. Theyare among the fundamental elements that distinguish

Find It OnlineTo locate your FLL

Partner, please visitthe FLL website atfirstlegoleague.org.
http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/


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Quick Start GuideRunning an FLL team takes organizationand planning, but it is also a lot of fun!Below we have provided checklists ofessential tasks to help you prepare for theseason. If you are new to FLL, you may wantto focus only on these tasks. You can addmore activities as you and your team gainexperience. Learn more in the followingchapters and at firstlegoleague.org.

Please keep in mind that these checklistsare only intended as a starting point.Some processes may be slightly differentin your region and there may be additionalopportunities for your team. Check withyour Partner if you have any questions.

Pre-Season Preparation for the Coach

Register your team with FIRSTLEGO League (gofll.usfirst.orgin U.S. and Canada).

Order and pay for FLL Registration and a Field Setup Kit. Alsomake sure you order a LEGO MINDSTORMS (robot) set if yourteam does not already have it. (Chapter 3)

FLL will usually contact you by email with important updates.

Make sure you provide a valid email address when you register,and check that inbox often throughout the season.

Read this Coaches Handbook.

Review the Coaches Promise and Core Values. (Inside thefront cover of this handbook)

Plan adult supervision for all team meetings. (Chapter 2)

Decide how team members will be identified or selected.(Chapter 2)

Decide how you will distribute information to your teamsmembers, parents, and Mentors. (Chapter 2)

Decide where and when your team will meet. (Chapter 3)

Tip

Looking for coachingadvice? Or want to

give back by advisinga new coach? TryFIRSTTeamUp on

firstlegoleague.org.

The FLL Season

For roughly 8 fast-paced weeks, teams work as a group toovercome obstacles and meet challenges. They learn from andinteract with their peers as well as adult Coaches and mentors.Teams work to find creative solutions to the problems presented tothem in the FLL Challenge. They then compete in optional local andregional tournaments where they celebrate their accomplishments

with other FLL teams, family, and friends. Learn more aboutscheduling meetings in Chapter 3.

After the hard work and a lot of fun, children come away feelingempowered to use science and technology concepts to changethe world around them. In addition, they cultivate life skills such asplanning, brainstorming, collaboration, and teamwork, as well asresearch, presentation and technical skills.

The 2013 Natures Fury Challenge will be released August 27, 2013.
http://firstlegoleague.org/http://gofll.usfirst.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://gofll.usfirst.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/


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ROBO

TGAME

COREVA

LUES

PROJECT

Identify at least 1 computer your team may use (must haveinternet access). (Chapter 3)

Find out about your regions tournament structure and eventregistration process. (Chapter 7)

Before the Challene is Released

Create a meeting schedule and begin meeting with your team.(Chapter 3)

Calculate what expenses your team will have and consider howthe team will pay those costs. (Chapter 3and Appendix A)

Review the Core Values, Gracious Professionalism, and the

Coaches Promise with parents and team members. (Chapter 2) Set up a practice competition area and storage for equipment

between meetings. (Chapter 3)

Build an FLL table or just the borders. (Chapter 5)

Use the mission model building instructions onfirstlegoleague.orgto build the mission models. (Chapter 5)

Install robot programming software on the computer(s) yourteam will use. (Chapter 5)

Completin the Challene

Discuss the FLL Core Values as a team (and keep discussingthem at each meeting!). (Chapter 4)

Download the FLL Challenge from firstlegoleague.organd

review it as a team.

Have team members begin designing, building, andprogramming your teams robot. (Chapter 5)

Have team members begin researching for the Project andbrainstorming ideas for innovative solutions. (Chapter 6)

Register for a tournament. Contact your Operational Partnerif you are not sure how to apply for a tournament in your area.(Chapter 7)

Review the rubrics that will be used to judge your team attournaments. Discuss them with your team. (firstlegoleague.organd Chapter 8)

Check your email regularly for communication from FLL.
http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-


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|| COACHES HANDBOOK: Chapter 110 n

Assign a team member to check the Robot Game Updates,Project FAQ and Judging FAQ frequently for any newinformation. (firstlegoleague.org)

Practice, practice, practice!

Prepare any documents required by your tournamentorganizers. (Chapter 7)

Make a plan to celebrate at the end of your season. (Chapter 9)

Optional Tasks

If you have time, you may want to add these optional items to yourchecklist.

Attend an event or Coach training before the season starts.Contact your Operational Partner to see what is available inyour area.

Complete several team-building activities with your team.(Chapter 3)

Participate in instructional Coach Calls hosted by FIRSTSenior

Mentors. (firstlegoleague.orgunder Team Resources) View the Project DVD that arrived with your registration packet

or view the video on the FLL YouTube channel.(youtube.com/fllglobal)

Have your team build a robot and try some of the programmingtutorials that come with your LEGO MINDSTORMS robot set oronline. (firstlegoleague.orgunder Team Resources)

Attend an unofficial event or practice scrimmage if available inyour area. (Chapter 7)
http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://youtube.com/fllglobalhttp://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://youtube.com/fllglobalhttp://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/


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2013 FIRST All rights reserved except as noted || 13nn

Buildin a Team

Coaching can be one of the most rewarding experiences ofyour life. Our goal is for you to help your team members seethe fun in science, technology, and engineering. Whether ornot your team scores high marks at a competition, team memberswin just by participating.

If it is your rookie year, enjoy it for what it is: a survey of the course.Your goal should be to simply experience FIRSTLEGOLeague(FLL) for the first time. With a fun experience and meeting realisticgoals under your belt, you and the children will be brimming with

ideas about what to do next year.

The Teams Foundation

At its most basic level, an FLL teamconsists of 3 to 10 team members and 1adult coach. Thats it! We encourage youto recruit more help so that you are notmanaging the entire team yourself, but

remember that you can always keep itsimple if you need to.

The Team Members

Your FLL team may include up to 10children, and all children must meet the agerequirements in your region. In the U.S.,Canada, and Mexico, team members maybe ages 9 to 14. In other parts of the world,team members may be ages 9 to 16. Checkwith your Operational Partner if you haveany questions about the age requirementsin your region.

Tip

Do not worry if youare not an expert onsome skill or aspect

of the Challenge. Youcan work through itwith your team. Infact, children loveto solve problems

that befuddle adults.Encourage themto find their own

answers.

3 to10 Kids + 1 Adult Coach = 1 FLL Team

+ = TEAM

Chapter2

nn

Buildina

Team

Buildin a Team


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|| COACHES HANDBOOK: Chapter 2 2013 FIRST All rights reserved except as noted ||14 15nnnn

You must be willing to meet with your team 1-3 times per week forabout 8 weeks. You will need to acquire basic knowledge about theFLL Challenge, LEGO robots, programming, and research on thereal-world topic or recruit others to help you with these tasks.

You are also responsible for guiding the team in developing itsgoals and timeline, as well as the planning and scheduling ofmeetings, visits, and trips. You are the liaison between teammembers, Mentors, parents, and Volunteers. It is important thatyou inform children and parents about what is expected of them interms of their commitment to the team each step of the way.

Coaches differ in how much instruction they give their teams. A

successful FLL Coach controls the process, not the content. A rookieteam might need help learning how to use the programmingsoftware, understanding engineering concepts, or learning howto do online research. You and other adults can help your teamlearn these skills or concepts as long as you do not tell the childrenhow to solve the Challenge. You are a facilitator to help your teamcomplete its work and improve the way it works together.

As much as you might like to build it, the team must design andbuild the robot, not you or any other adult. If you find yourself

COACH-TO-COACHRookie Coach:Our rookie team of 4th and 5th graderswants to cut some large wooden boards in order to builda model for the Project. I do not feel comfortable with the

kids using power tools. If an adult cuts the boards but thekids assemble the model, is this a violation of the kids doall the workphilosophy?

Veteran Coach:The kids keep all their fingersrulesupersedes the kids do all the workrule. As a Coach,you are going to do some things for your team that theycannot or should not do for themselves (like writing checksfor team expenses or driving to tournaments). Use yourbest judgment and weigh the value of your contribution totheir effort. Cutting a few boards under the instructions ofthe team should be ok. It does not involve any importantdecisions. Building the prop yourself, probably not ok.Base your decisions on what provides the best learningexperience for the team and you are unlikely to go wrong.

To be eligible, a child must not exceed the maximum age on

January 1 of the year the Challenge is released. For example, inthe U.S. a student who turns 15 in May of 2012 would be eligibleto compete in the Challenge release in the fall of 2012, whereas achild who turned 15 in December 2011 would not. Children can bemembers of only one FLL team per season.

Limiting your team to 10 members may be difficult, but it is importantto be fair to everyone by limiting the number of children on yourteam. This kind of decision is often faced by coaches of other teamsports. If you have more than 10 children interested in joiningyour FLL team, please consider registering a second team or use aselection process to decide who may participate on your team.

There are advantages and disadvantages to any team size withinthis range. Some Coaches believesmall teams (5 or fewer members) may

concentrate better, work as a unit moreeasily, and provide team members withmore opportunities for attention from theCoach or Mentors. Other Coaches believethat larger teams have an advantagebecause they share the workload and canbreak into sub-teams to work on tasks.

The Coach

As the Coach, your team needs you togive them guidance and provide structure,encouragement, and most of all, a funexperience. Lots of people make greatCoaches: parents, teachers, engineers,college students, scout leaders, and more.

COACH-TO-COACHWe had 22 children show up for the first FLL meeting. Theyall decided to register, and now we have three teams. Asfar as picking the best combination of children, sometimesyour choice as a grownup will lead to a very flat team.Be sure to choose a team with a diverse range of skills,keeping in mind that children who are more challenging inthe classroom will often shine on an FLL team because ofthe hands-on and self-directed nature of the activities.

Tip

Make sure you providea valid email address

when you registeryour team, because

FLL will communicateimportant updateswith you through

email.


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c The importance of acknowledging all team members,getting everyone to contributeand participate, providing positivefeedback, and encouraging responses.

You may want to consider recruitingsomeone like:

c Engineer teaches skills the team canuse to design their robot or completethe Project.

c FIRSTRobotics Competition (FRC)

or FIRST

Tech Challenge (FTC

)team member helps the team workthrough a practice programmingchallenge, shares strategizingmethods, serves as a possible youthrole model.

c Science professional an expertin this years Challenge theme,presents real examples of sciencein practice, advises the team on theProject, describes existing solutions,and recommends new sources ofinformation for the team to explore.

c Graphic artist Provides adviceon the team logo, T-shirts, andpresentation material.

c Programmer teaches the team about programmingprinciples and helps the team troubleshoot programs.

Potential sources for mentors might include:

c Companies in your community.Many companies encouragetheir employees to volunteer, and some even have formalprograms to match volunteers with groups in the community.

c Service-oriented organizations.There are many socialorganizations with a focus on community service. You probablyhave some in your town (for example: Rotary Clubs or SeniorCorps).

c Parents and relatives of your team members!

Reminder

Adults may teach yourteam members new

skills and informationor ask questions toget them thinking.

However, the teamsrobot and Project

should be the workof team members.Inappropriate adultintervention couldresult in your team

losing the opportunityto compete

for awards at atournament.

pushing a solution, youre doing your team a disservice. Not only arethe children not thinking for themselves, but you may also suppressa revolutionary idea. Children feel empowered and becomepassionate about a project when they know its their own work.

Team members must make all decisions and do all the work onthe Robot Game and Project. This includes deciding on strategy,building, programming, researching, choosing a problem andinnovative solution, and presenting at a tournament.

Does this mean you should stand idly by while your team struggles?Absolutely not! Instead of telling the team to use a light sensor,you could ask the team to brainstorm ideas about how to make the

robot stop in the right place. Or you could encourage the childrento run an experiment that may lead them to explore other options.Try asking questions like:

What would happen if?

And then?

How will that affect?

Children become problem solvers by finding solutions themselves! Weunderstand that adults can be just as passionate about FLL as children,but adults must always remember that the children come first.

The Mentors

A Mentor is any person who works with the team in his or her areaof expertise for at least one team meeting. Mentors help exposeyour team members to potential careers in addition to helping themlearn the skills necessary to complete the FLL season. The mostimportant quality for a Mentor is someone who enjoys working withyoung people and wants them to learn.

When recruiting Mentors, consider their ability to work with the FLLage group. They need to be role models and commit to the FLLCore Values and Gracious Professionalism. Talk to them about:

c Adapting their knowledge to an appropriate level for the teammembers.

c The teams goals, the timeline, and structure of the meetings.

c Guiding the team to find the answers to their own questions.


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Create a reasonable schedule to start the season. We suggeststarting with 2 meetings per week that are 2 hours long. You canadd or subtract meetings if you need to. Research when your firsttournament will take place, and plan backwards from that date.Dont forget to consider holidays and school events. You can referto the sample schedule in Appendix B for an example of how aCoach could plan a teams eight week season.

As the Coach, you may need additional time each week to prepare forteam meetings. Spend this time coordinating help, maintaining equip-ment, communicating with your Mentors, sponsoring organization(s)and parents, purchasing supplies, and registering for competition.

Roles & ResponsibilitiesChild Safety

As the Coach, you are responsible for thesafety of the children while they are in yourcare. Due to the age of FLL team members,Coaches, parents, and guardians areessential to team and child safety. Adultsneed to educate team members and eachother on how to recognize situations thatmay put a child at risk, and take measures toensure that adults who work with your teamare reliable.

The TeamDiscuss team member responsibilities withthe whole team. It is important for youto be specific when talking about eachindividuals role and responsibilities. Teammembers will usually have ideas about whatthey want to do, such as: programming,building, research, marketing, etc.

Encourage team members to push the limits of their own comfortzones. Rotate roles so everyone has an opportunity to try differentthings. Children often discover that they enjoy a task they wouldnthave volunteered for on their own. This can also prevent boys andgirls from falling into stereotypical gender roles.

TipIf your team

chooses to attend atournament, all team

members are expectedto participate in the

judging sessions (CoreValues, Robot Design,

and Project) and bepresent for the RobotGame matches. They

should know at least alittle about all parts of

your teams work

Parents and Guardians

Do not forget about parents and guardiansof your team members. Their cooperationand support are invaluable. As a Coach,you can perform all of the planning tasksfor your team, but sharing the workloadwill make your team more efficient, reducestress, and increase team spirit among alladults involved.

Parents and Guardians may be able toassist your team by:

c Serving as a Mentor if they haverelevant skills or experience.

c Planning and holding fundraisers.

c Leading teambuilding activities.

c Planning field trips.

c Providing a place for your team tomeet.

c Making travel arrangements.

c Or one of the most important tasks planning refreshments so your teamnever runs out of fuel!

Time CommitmentMost FLL teams meet for about 8 weeksafter the Challenge is announced. Theymay meet for as little as 1 hour or holdmultiple meetings up to 10 hours a week.It is up to you and the team to decidewhat your meeting schedule should be.A rookie team has more to learn andtypically needs to meet more often thana veteran team. Some meetings will runlike clockwork and others will be morechallenging. You should plan to have someof each.

TipYou may want to hold

a meeting for teamparents at the startof the season to set

expectations and recruittheir help. It is a goodidea to have parents

review and agree to theFLL Coaches Promiseto reinforce the goalthat the children doall the work. Parents

may want to help, butremind them they need

to let the kids makedecisions and do the

work themselves.

TipIf you are planning

to attend an event ortournament, check thedates. Some occur as

early as November andsome are as late as

March. The event dateis your teams deadline,

so work backwardsto figure out wheneach task must be

completed.


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Top Ten Tips for Rookie TeamsFrom FLL Team The Inventioneers, NH, U.S.

1. Remember, you dont have to be an engineer to be a great FLLCoach.

2. Work with team members to come up with rules for your teamat the first meeting.Examples:

c Respect others ideas.

c Help others. If a team member is an expert in robot-building, she should be willing to help teach others this skill.

c Identify ways to encourage each other.

c Its everybodys job to make sure the whole teamparticipates.

3. Let the kids and parents know that the kids do the work.

4. Practice asking questions to guide the kids to their ownanswers instead of telling them your ideas. Ask probingquestions such as:

c Whats another way to do that?

c Everyone watch the robot this time what do you see?

c How can you use sensors here?

c Where can you find more feedback to increase reliability?

5. Dont try to do everything alone:

c Contact veteran teams and Coaches for support and ideas.The Inventioneers are committed to providing training,Project feedback, and guidance to new teams.

c Enlist parents as assistant Coaches.

c Use websites like firstlegoleague.organd other Internetresources.

6. Figure out your funding:

c Will you need to charge dues to cover startup costs?

c Can the parents employers provide funding for startupcosts?

Work together with your team tocarefully consider how you want to divideresponsibilities. What would happen ifsomeone had to leave the team or wassick on the day of the tournament? Wouldsomeone else be able to step in? Be sureto think through how this decision willaffect the team as the season develops.

Here are examples of the rolesor sub-teams you may want toestablish within your team:

c Researching gather informationabout the Challenge theme, relatedreal-world problems, and existingsolutions. Invite professionals to sharetheir knowledge with the team.

c Community Sharing consider whoin the community might be impactedby or interested in your teamsproblem and arrange to share yourfindings with them.

c Presenting design a creativepresentation to show the judges yourteams work on the Project.

Tip

Like other teamactivities, FLL has

rules. As the coach,you can (and should!)

remind your team

about the rules whenappropriate. As long

as you are not makingdecisions for the

team or doing thework, keeping the

team on track wouldnot be consideredadult interference.

Find the basicParticipation Rules onfirstlegoleague.org.

c Strategy Analysis analyze the robot playing field andformulate various methods for accomplishing the missions.

Lead the effort to establish a consensus on the final strategicplan and think about risks and rewards of different strategies.

c Building make decisions about building and work to formconsensus on the mechanical design of the robot among teammembers.

c Programming make decisions about programming and formconsensus on programming for the robot.

c Project Management get everyone focused, make sureeveryones ideas are heard, find compromises, and keepeveryone on schedule with a timeline.

c Marketing design and create a team logo, T-shirt, or banner.Write a press release and contact the local media to increasepublic awareness of the team and how the team benefits from theFLL experience.
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7. Get the team committed to a meeting schedule before theseason starts. Members who cant attend meetings make ithard for the whole team.

8. Make sure all parents have roles even rotating ones (AssistantCoach, snack provider, fundraising lead, photographer) so thatthey become invested in the progress of your team.

9. Use good time management. Put tournaments on the calendaras soon as the dates are released. Keep the kids focusedon how much time they have to accomplish tasks. This way,everything doesnt pile up just before the tournament.

10. Keep it FUN!!!This is the most important tip for all teams,rookie and veteran. The kids will learn to handle frustrations

and deadlines better if the element of fun is in the mix.Coaches and parents will be less tempted to help too muchif there is an atmosphere that emphasizes the joy of learningand exploring new ideas.


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Chapter3

nnn

StartYourSeason

Start Your Season


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Start Your Season

The FIRSTLEGOLeague (FLL) Challenge is released

to the public on the FLL website (firstlegoleague.org) inearly fall each year. Before the

Challenge is released, there are a numberof things we recommend both new andreturning Coaches do to prepare for asuccessful season. You will need to judgehow much you can accomplish in the timeyou have available though. Remember toset reasonable goals for your team and

yourself.GroundworkChoosin a Facility

When choosing a place for your teamto meet, try to choose a facility that willprovide the following:

c Computer, either a Macintosh or PC. You will use the computerfor research, programming, and communication. Many teamsprefer a laptop over a desktop computer, because it gives yougreater flexibility to make robot programming adjustmentsat events and hold team meetings in multiple locations. Be

sure to check with your host before installing any software oncomputers you do not own.

c Internet access. Your team will need to download theChallenge, access the FLL website, receive emails, research,and keep up to date on the Robot Game Updates and ProjectFAQ. However, many public buildings, such as schools andlibraries, block internet s ites like YouTube. FLL posts manyvideos and other resources online, so try to find a facility whereyou can access all FLL materials.

Rookie TipBefore the season

starts, check out pastChallenges on the FLLwebsite to get an idea

of what to expect:firstlegoleague.org.

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StartYourSeason

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c Team Registration Register your team first. This gives yourteam access to purchase the FLL exclusive materials you willneed as well as team support services and resources like thishandbook.

c FLL Robot Set The FLL Robot Set is designed to provideyour team with everything you need to build and program aworking robot (plus a few extra features). It includes a LEGO MINDSTORMSset, programming software, a selection ofLEGO elements, and helpful storagecontainers. Each team must have aLEGO MINDSTORMS set to participate

in the Robot Game (NXT, or RCX), butyou are not required to purchase theofficial FLL Robot Set. You may use yourown LEGO MINDSTORMS set if youhave one.

c Field Setup Kit (FSK) All teams musthave access to an official FLL FieldSetup Kit. The FSK is the practice fieldfor your teams robot. The FSK containsan exclusive set of LEGO elements tobuild your mission models, a mat to putyour mission models on, and a sheetof 3M Dual Lock fasteners to attachyour models to the mat. You will need anew FSK for each Challenge year. Readmore about what to do with the FSK in

Chapter 5.c Robot Programming Software Your

robot may only be programmed using LEGO MINDSTORMSNXT, or RoboLab software (any release). No other software isallowed. Check whether your robot set includes programmingsoftware. Additional software purchases can be made directlyfrom LEGO Education.

c Other items See a sample budget in Appendix A for someexamples of additional supplies you may want or need duringthe FLL season.

Tip

Teams may sharea Field Setup Kit you do not need topurchase 1 for each

team. However, eachteam will need time

to work on the RobotGame missions, soconsider whether

sharing will give eachteam fair access.

c Enough room for your team to set up.Part of the Robot Game is a 4 x 8 footmission mat which you will need tolay out on a level floor or table. Youcan find instructions on how to builda tournament-style table on the FLLwebsite (firstlegoleague.org). Withoutthe optional legs, the table is simply a4 x 8 foot sheet of plywood with a 2 x4 inch border around the perimeter ofthe plywood.

c A secure place to store team suppliesand work in progress between

meetings.

If your team is school-based, the schoolitself is often an ideal meeting place. Schools

COACH-TO-COACH

We are lucky to have the schools science teacher as the clubadvisor. He allows us to store our supplies in his classroom.

When we dont want to leave something in the classroom,we store materials in my car. We store everything except theRobot Game table in a large plastic bin for easy hauling.

Find It OnlineFor instructions

on how to build aRobot Game table,

visit the FLL website

(firstlegoleague.org)under Team Resources.

can usually provide computers and space to set up your playingfield. For teams not based in schools, you may meet in a privatehome, a meeting hall, or a company conference room. You mayneed special authorization to use some of these buildings afterhours or on the weekend. Make sure you check on any restrictionsbefore agreeing to meet there.

Purchasin Your Materials

Your team will need certain required materials to participate in FLL.The process to obtain these materials may be different in someregions, so check with your Partner if you have any questions. In theU.S. and Canada, you can visit gofll.usfirst.orgto register your teamand purchase materials.
http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://gofll.usfirst.org/http://gofll.usfirst.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-


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Challene Release Meetin

The FLL Challenge is released in early fall on firstlegoleague.org.Once it is released, you can download the Challengedocument, which contains the Project description,Missions, Rules, and Field Setup. See Chapters 5and 6fordefinitions of the different parts of the Challenge.

Many teams gather on the day the Challenge is releasedfor a team party to celebrate the new Challenge.Download the materials together and start brainstorming.If your team begins meeting after the Challenge isreleased, dont despair! Simply download the Challenge

materials as soon as you can.

Fundin a Team

There are many ways to fund your team. Many teams are sponsored bya school while other teams pay their own fees. You could write a checkfrom your personal funds or split the bill between the team members.Splitting the bill may be a large expense for some families, and you runthe risk of excluding some children if you use this method.

Many teams need to fundraise to pay for team registration,materials, or tournament fees. Fundraising as a team gives childrenand parents a sense of ownership in the team. Brainstorm ways toraise money with your team members. They may surprise you withsome fresh ideas. You may also want to approach businesses in your

community to support your efforts.

Read more about fundraising in Appendix A.

Early Season MeetinsIts time to get started. Here are a few suggestions for what youcould do in your first meetings with your team.c Get a large sheet of paper and make a calendar of the FLL

season. Be sure to add meetings and important dates. Bringthe calendar to each meeting and update it to include anychanges as the season progresses.

c Give each team member a folder. Have all the children puttheir names on the folders and decorate them. Have team

members bring their folders to meetings and use them to holdimportant papers.

c Play a game to learn each others names.

c Hand out the FLL robot set and, if applicable, the tackle box orother organizational system you plan to use. Let the childrensort the set as they see fit. This is a good time to go over yourexpectations about how they will keep the set neat and organized.

c Print and hand out the Mission Model building instructions.Have the children build the models, then place the models onthe playing field in the appropriate positions.

c Brainstorm a variety of ways to learn about this years Challengetheme. As a group, decide if you will invite a guest speaker orgo on a team field trip. If this isnt possible, consider connectingwith professionals via email or phone instead.

Find It

Online

COACH-TO-COACHI have a team of 9 children who love to chatter, and after2 minutes without instruction, they kind of get off track. Ihave some ideas for activities to keep them focused, but theteam needs to start cracking down on the Challenge. Anysuggestions?

A1: Each meeting, have a practice tournament and have thechildren run the robot on the table and give their Projectpresentation. It is a powerful way to have them realize howmuch work is left to do. This year I started doing this fromthe second meeting. I gave them 5 minutes to prepare, 2 minutes at the table, and 5 minutes for the Project. At first,

the team objected, but quickly got to work to better theirperformance for the next meeting.

A2: I had a similar challenge last year with a gregarious15-year-old Mentor. We finally decided, after muchdiscussion, that his role was to ask questions of the team lots of questions. Why does your robot do this? How? Whatelse? Whats another way? We made it his goal to ask atleast 10 productive questions per meeting.
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Team Buildin

Team building exercises allow members to communicate feelingsin a positive and healthy manner and encourage GraciousProfessionalismas they work together toward a common goal.Theyre also fun. Team building can be difficult with a schedule thatis very structured. Sometimes letting children have fun togetherallows them to develop communication and respect, leading tosmoother progress when work resumes.

Team building activities might include:

c Have team members interview each other and share what they

learn with the whole group. Provide some questions to getthem started.

c Have each team member write down the steps required tomove around an obstacle in the room. Create pairs, and haveone child read his or her instructions while the other child actsas the robot. The robot must follow the instructions exactly,even if they dont work. This demonstrates what it is like toprogram a real robot.

c Work together to come up with a team name and logo.

c Create unique team hats, a handshake, or a cheer.

COACH-TO-COACH

Our team is enthusiastic and engaged for entire meetings

until its time to clean up. Any suggestions for gettinghousekeeping in order?

A1: Cleanup, of course, is the least favorite part of allmeetings. Who wants to clean up? Who wants to stopworking on the robot? Who wants to go home and takea bath or go to bed? On our team, each member picks acleanup job. When that team members job is done, he takesa seat so I can see the progress and send help if needed.This way, they dont distract each other.

A2: One way to encourage cleanup is through a pointsystem. Working in pairs during cleanup, children can vie forawards or recognition.

Team Goals

Work with your team to set goals for the season and put them onpaper. Include expectations for the groups success, functioning asa team, and exhibiting FLL Core Values. Write down what conceptsyou expect to learn and what your team would like to accomplishon the Challenge by the end of the season.

FLL events provide excitement and recognition and celebrateeach teams accomplishments. However, the true goals of FLLhave nothing to do with winning medals or trophies. If your teammembers can look back at the end of the season and say even 1 ofthe following, you have achieved an important goal:

c We learned how useful and fun technology and science canbe.

c We did something we didnt think we could do.

c We helped our community.

c We improved over last year.

c We figured out how to manage time, deal with setbacks, orcommunicate ideas.

c We had fun!


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Chapter4

nnnn

FLLC

oreValues

FLL Core Values


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FLL Core Values

You may have noticed that the FIRSTLEGO

League (FLL) Core Values are the first thingyou see when you open this handbook (on the

inside of the front cover). This is because the CoreValues are central to everything we do in FLL. They

help to make FLL a fun and rewarding experience for everyoneinvolved. Team members, parents, Coaches, Mentors, Volunteers,and staff are all expected to uphold the FLL Core Values wheneverthey participate in FLL activities.

The Core Values describe a way of working together and respectingeach other that helps to define the FLL experience. This is part ofwhat sets FLL apart from other programs for this age group. Teamscompete like crazy against challenges but appreciate and treat eachother with respect. We hear stories every year about a team thatdrops their robot at a tournament and watches the pieces scatterin every direction. Team members from other teams rush in to helpthem put their robot back together before their next match. This isbecause FLL teams want to compete fairly and have fun together.

Keep in mind that the Core Values apply to everyone in FLL. Pleasetalk to parents, Mentors, and other Volunteers with your teamabout what the Core Values are and why they are so important. Byembracing the FLL Core Values, anyone involved in FLL may findthat they begin to treat people more fairly and respectfully in otherareas of their lives.

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Coopertition

Coopertitioncombines the concepts of cooperation andcompetition. In FLL, Coopertition is displaying kindness and respectin the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on theconcept and a philosophy that teams can and should help andcooperate with each other even as they compete.

Coopertition involves learning from teammates. It is teachingteammates. It is learning from Mentors. And it is managing andbeing managed. Coopertition means competing always, butassisting and enabling others when you can.

Benefit of the Doubt

Just as we expect teams to display the Core Values throughout theseason, FLL tournament organizers, judges, referees, and othersare expected to uphold the Core Values too. Under this philosophy,teams should receive the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.Teams will be given the opportunity to explain themselves if anissue arises during the FLL season. Judges or referees may askyour team questions about who worked on your robot or Projectidea. They may feel that the teams work is so good that they needto make sure it was actually done by team members (not adults).Whenever possible, teams will be given the points or the higher

judges rating if there is no evidence that a team broke the rules.

Prepare for a TournamentUnlike other areas of FLL, teams usually do not have tangible results(like a robot or a Project idea) to show to the Core Values judges ata tournament. So how do teams prepare for Core Values judging?By incorporating the Core Values into all you do and talking aboutthe Core Values throughout the season.

All teams operate differently, and teams can be successful withdifferent styles. Some teams have a strong leader, some have ademocratic approach, on some teams each child has a specializedrole, and other teams share all responsibilities equally. The Core

Values can be incorporated into all of these styles and teams can besuccessful using all of them. As long as team members understandand use the Core Values in their interactions, no particular workingstyle is better than the others.

Gracious Professionalism

Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRSTLEGOLeague. Its a way of doing things that encourages high-qualitywork, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals andthe community.

With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gainare not separate ideas. Gracious professionals learn and competelike crazy, but treat one another with respect and kindness in

the process. Even when 1 team wins the competition, they avoidtreating anyone like losers.

In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing ameaningful life. You can work hard and add to society but stillenjoy the satisfaction of knowing you have acted with integrity andsensitivity.

The FLL Core Valuesc We are a team.

c We do the work to find solutions with guidance from ourCoaches and Mentors.

c We know our Coaches and Mentors dont have all theanswers; we learn together.

c We honor the spirit of friendly competition.

c What we discover is more important than what we win.

c We share our experiences with others.

c We display Gracious Professionalismand Coopertitionineverything we do.

c We have fun.


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Tip

Some regions mayask your team to

prepare somethingto share with the

Core Values judges

at your tournament.Pay attention tothe guidelines

given to you by thetournament organizer.

Core Values Judin

When you attend a tournament, your teamwill meet with Core Values judges at somepoint during the day. There are multipleformats for Core Values judging, so checkwith your tournament organizer if you haveany questions about how your team willbe judged. Teams generally do not needto bring their robot or Project materials toCore Values judging sessions.

Regardless of what judging format your

event will use, it is always a good ideafor your team members to prepare someexamples of how they demonstratedthe Core Values throughout the season.These might be about each team memberindividually, a few team members together,or about the whole team. Have team

members take turns telling about these examples in front of thegroup, and ask other children to give feedback. Remember to keepthe feedback constructive. Team members should be especiallycareful about displaying the Core Values when providing Core

Values feedback!Learn more about how your teams demonstration of Core Valuesknowledge and skills will be judged in Chapter 8and by reviewingthe awards and rubrics located at: firstlegoleague.orgin the Eventssection under Judging and Awards. Notice that among other

criteria the rubrics encourage teams to:

c Embrace discovery and all three aspects of FLL (Core Values,Project, and Robot) in a balanced way.

c Develop a clear team identity and find ways to engage othersin your teams enthusiasm and fun.

c Find ways to apply FLL Core Values and skills in daily life.

c Define clear goals and develop processes to help themproblem solve and make clear decisions as a team.

COACH-TO-COACHAs we prepared for the tournament, we were working withthe kids to remember examples that support the FLL Core

Values. We realized that the Core Values describe powerfulbehavior that should be embraced on a daily basis and inour weekly sessions not just for the tournaments.

We developed our own Core Values award for our team.This way each team member consciously works ondemonstrating Core Values in each category with specificexamples. When we get to the competition, talkingabout the Core Values happens naturally and each kid hasexamples of how they demonstrated Core Values on aweekly basis.

At 1 meeting per week, each team member gives a specificexample of how he or she demonstrated 1 of the Core

Values. Then team members either agree or they tell theirown stories about how that team member demonstratedthe Core Values in other ways.

c Use team talents and time wisely.

c Take responsibility and operate as a team with minimal Coachguidance.

c Balance and appreciate contributions from all team members.

c

Always act and speak with integrity so that others feelrespected and valued.

c Actively cooperate with other teams and embrace the spirit offriendly competition.
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Chapter5

nnnnn

The

RobotGame

The Robot Game


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The Robot Game

As you learned in Chapter 1, the FIRSTLEGO

League (FLL) Challenge has 2 parts: the RobotGame and the Project. In the Robot Game,

the kids build and program an autonomous LEGOMINDSTORMSrobot to score points by performing

mission tasks. These missions will be inspired by the Challengetheme, so you will see many concepts that may get your teamthinking about this years topic.

Missions require the robot to navigate, and

to capture, transport, activate, or deliverobjects precisely on a printed mat on aspecial table. The robot has 2 minutes tocomplete as many mission tasks as possible.

The team and robot must follow aset of rules, which you will be ableto download from the FLL website.For example: if team memberstouch the robot while its working,it must be stopped and carried toBase. At tournaments, a refereeoversees the action to ensure thateveryone is following the rules.

At tournaments, 2 tables are attached

back to back, so your team will participateopposite a team on the other table. You arenot competing against that team. Rather, both teams will try to earntheir own highest score. The robots are isolated from each other bytable border walls, but there is always at least 1 mission that causesinteraction between robots on adjacent tables.

Robot Game PreparationBefore your team can start building and programming a robot, youwill need to set up your materials and make sure you have all theRobot Game information. The information described below will beavailable in early fall when the Challenge is released.

Rookie Tip

If this is your teamsfirst year, set

achievable goals.Decide on a few

missions you want tomaster, and then addadditional missions

if you have timeavailable.

Find It

Online

Chapter5

nnnnn

The

RobotGame

The Robot Game
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c Read the Missions.The Missions document describes whatthe mission models represent and how your team can earnpoints on the Field in Robot Performance. The Missionsdocument describes the condition that will earn you points itis up to your team to decide how to make those conditionshappen. For example, if you can earn 4 points for a missionmodel touching the mat, your team might design a robot thatcan knock it over onto the mat, place it on the mat gently,roll it onto the mat, etc. If the Missions and Rules do notforbid an idea, then it is allowed. Like the Rules (below), theMissions need to be read carefully andrepeatedly throughout the season.A small detail that doesnt mean

anything to you in week 1 may turn outto be a big deal in week 4!

c Read the Rules. The Rulesdocument gives exact definitions forterms related to the game and totournament play. They keep things fairand fun, and keep matches runningsmoothly. They also tell specificallyhow a match must be conducted,and place constraints on the robotsparts, the teams action, the robotsaction, and the scoring. You and anyteam member dealing with the robotare HIGHLY advised to read the Rulescarefully and REPEATEDLY. Rules thatmay seem confusing or not applicable

at the beginning of the season willmean more and more as you gainexperience.

Robot Game ExecutionOnce you have prepared by completing the steps above, your teamis ready to begin working on a robot.

c Strategize, build, and program your robot, and HaveFUN!Plan, build, and program; test, repair, and reassess;repeat! Good coaching requires restraint here. As temptingas it is, dont build the attachment or make the decision.Ask questions to get the team thinking so they can find theanswers themselves.

Tip

Need help learningto build and programthe robot? Your NXTsoftware CD includes40 interactive tutorials

to get you started.You can also visit theTeam Resources pageon firstlegoleague.org

for LEGO building

and programmingresources.

As you learned in Chapter 3, you will need a LEGO MINDSTORMSset (NXT, or RCX) and a Field Setup Kit to participate in the RobotGame. That is not all you need though. Before your team beginsworking on their robot, you should:

c Download and print the Challenge documentfrom firstlegoleague.org.It contains the Projectand 3 sections about the Robot Game: Field Setup,Missions, and Rules. Also check the Robot GameUpdates on the website or download them regularly.

c Build your FLL table. The FLL table holds therobots playing field.You have the option to build a

complete table or only the top and borders. Simplebut large, the table does require basic carpentryskills for construction. Instructions for building the table arein the Field Setup document as well as on the FLL website(firstlegoleague.org) under Team Resources.

Rookie Tip

If your team isnew to FLL, you

(or a programmingMentor) may needto teach your team

about MINDSTORMSprogramming. Thisis allowed as longas you do not tellthem how to solvethe FLL Challenge.

Adults may help yourteam gain new skillsor information thatmay help them besuccessful in FLL.

Find It

Online

c Build your mission models. Themission models are the official objectsthe robot interacts with as part of thegame. The instructions for buildingthe mission models can be found onfirstlegoleague.org. You are free tobuild these as soon as you receiveyour field set-up kit. Mission modelconstruction takes a single person 3to 6 hours, depending on experience.Many teams build the mission modelstogether during their early seasonmeetings.

c Set up your field.You now have thetable, the mat to put on it, and themodels to put on that. The last thingto find is the bag of tan sheets of DualLock fastening material that came inthe Field Setup Kit box. This materialis used to secure some of the modelsto the mat. You are now ready tofollow the Field Setup instructionsto complete the setup of the playingfield. Follow these instructions closelyto be sure the field you practiceon is identical to those found attournaments.
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Tip

Some regions mayask you to preparesomething to share

with the Robot Designjudges. Pay attention

to the guidelinesgiven to you by the

tournament organizer.

Robot Desin

During the tournament day, Robot Design judges will interviewand observe your team. Some events require formal Robot Designpresentations, while at other events the judges may simply askyour team questions. Either way, it is a good idea for your team toprepare a basic introduction to the robot incase the judges ask.

There may also be a competition table withmission models in the judging area. Yourteam should be prepared to demonstratetheir solution to at least one of the missions

and talk about their strategy. Reviewthe information about your tournamentcarefully and contact the tournamentorganizer if you have any questions aboutwhat your team should expect.

Your team may also want to considerbringing a 1-page summary of their robotor printout of their best programming toleave with the judges. The summary couldinclude a picture, list of sensors, originalfeatures, programming language, and otherinteresting details about your teams design and strategy.

If your team chooses to print a section of programming to leavewith the judges, make sure they choose a section that is easy to

follow but highlights some difficult problem they overcame. Printthe programs in icon form (not text) to make them easier for the

judges to review. When the judges choose teams to receive awards,this information will remind them about your teams robot.

c Check the Robot Game Updates for critical newinformation. The Robot Game Updates are a runninglist of official responses to missing, unclear, orincorrect information about the Robot Game. Updatesposted here SUPERSEDE text from the Challengedocument. There are also answers to frequently askedquestions, and official calls on whether or not certainstrategies are allowed. Refer to the Robot GameUpdates often and carefully. Find the Robot GameUpdates on firstlegoleague.org.

c Repeat the steps above until your objectives are met.Whether your goal is to complete 5 missions or to complete allof them, the process always involves many cycles of thinking,

trying, failing, improving, and succeeding.

Prepare for a TournamentWhen your team attends a tournament, your robot will compete in2 different areas: Robot Performance and Robot Design.

Robot Performance

Unlike other areas of FLL, teams receive anumerical score during Robot Performancematches. The Robot Performance Awardrecognizes a team that scores the mostpoints in the Robot Game. Your teamsscore will be determined by the number of

points the robot scores during scheduledmatches.

Each match is separate and only thehighest score will count. You do wantto have a robot that can perform wellconsistently, but your team should not bediscouraged if you have one bad match.

Read more about Robot Performance matches in Chapter 7.

Find It

Online

Tip

Some tournamentsmay use direct

lighting on theirtables but others maynot. Be prepared for

either situation.
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10 Robot Game TipsFrom FLL Enineer Scott Evans, NH, U.S.

1. Read the Challenge document carefully and repeatedly!!!Assign a Documents Expert or 2 on your team. True, lots ofthings these days are designed not to need directions, and manytimes even if something says Read these directions beforestarting, you can figure it out yourself, but Be warned: The FLLRobot Game is notone of those things. Experience shows thatteams who dont read the documents repeatedly operate in a fogall season and learn things the hard way at tournaments. On the

other hand, teams who know the details save lots of confusionand time, have fewer questions, higher success, and more fun.

2. Use the MINDSTORMS training features.The programmer(s) on your team should dedicate some earlyteam meetings to going all the way through the help andtutorials that come with your MINDSTORMS robot set or onfirstlegoleague.orgunder Team Resources. Doing so will makeyou immediately competitive with many veteran teams whonever bothered.

3. When youre first confronted with the Missions and theyseem overwhelming, agree as a team on the 3 (or 1?) youthink are the easiest, and pretend they are the whole RobotGame. Master those missions so your robot gets them everytime. Congratulate yourselves. Now if you did 3, you couldprobably do 4, right? Is there maybe 1 more you figure you can

do? Master that 1 without affecting the others, and continue thisprocess until you really do have a feeling for whats possible.

4. Make your robots navigation depend on features of thefield whenever possible.While its true that a robot can be programmed to do a lotusing only odometry (counting how many times its motors haveturned) and/or timing (counting how many seconds its motorshave run), variability in friction and battery strength can throwthese methods off track. Instead, learn to complement thesemethods with techniques and sensors that interact with thefield (light, color, touch, and ultrasound). For example, a robotprogrammed to drive forward 3 rotations and then turn for 2seconds might go to the right spot and make a 90 turn whenyou program it, but later, when started from a different place,maybe with low battery strength, it will definitely end up in a

Learn more about how your teams Robot Design elements will bejudged in Chapter 8and by reviewing the awards and rubrics foundon firstlegoleague.orgin the Events section under Judging andAwards. Notice that among other criteria the rubrics encourageteams to:

c Consider the importance of structural integrity and efficiency.

c Find the right balance of robot speed, strength, and accuracy.

c Value consistency.

c Use code that is modular, streamlined, and understandable byothers.

c

Not rely on driver intervention to help the robot navigate.c Focus on continuous improvement.

c Develop a well-defined game strategy.

c Be innovative.

ROBOT GAME QUESTIONS?Check the Robot Game Updates on

firstlegoleague.org

Email questions about the Robot Game [email protected]

Email questions about programming or LEGO materials [email protected]
http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/http://www.firstlegoleague.org/mailto:support%40legoeducation.com?subject=Question%20about%20Robot%20Gamemailto:support%40legoeducation.com?subject=Question%20about%20LEGO%20material%20or%20programmingmailto:support%40legoeducation.com?subject=Question%20about%20LEGO%20material%20or%20programmingmailto:support%40legoeducation.com?subject=Question%20about%20Robot%20Gamehttp://www.firstlegoleague.org/http://firstlegoleague.org/http://-/?-http://firstlegoleague.org/


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|| COACHES HANDBOOK: Chapter 550 nnnnn

different spot on a different angle. But if you program it to driveuntil it sees a line, then you make it back up against the wallafter the turn, it will always end up on the correct spot, at 90.

5. Dont try to program more than 1 step at a time.Every mission strategy will be a sequence of steps. The robot hasto get to a place and do a task, then get to the next place anddo the next task, etc. Make sure it can get to and do each taskconsistently before trying to program for the next. If you programseveral actions and test them all at once, youll find yourselffighting confusion, backtracking, and repeating your work.

6. Build things strong enough that the robot can be knockedover in any direction and not break.

Make the robot as compact as you can, because large partsmake the robot unstable, tough to drive in narrow areas, andact like levers in their own destruction. Make redundant(extra) reinforcements when possible. Use gray (loose) pinsinstead of black (friction) pins when possible believe it or not,they are LESS likely to separate.

7. While building, keep access to NXT features in mind.It seems like a bother, but its wise to keep all cables attached

to your NXT brick (the brain of your robot) while building.If you dont, youre likely to end up re-doing things when youdiscover cables dont reach or they interfere with attachments.Also, constantly confirm that you can see the display, access thebuttons, and get the batteries out without too much hassle.

8. Build a shroud around your optical (color and light) sensors.A change in ambient (surrounding) light can mess up youroptical (color and light) sensor programs. While it is possible to

calibrate them, it is even better to avoid the need. Try to buildyour optical sensors into the center of the robots shadow, ormake a light shield around them.

9. For consistency in turning, build sliders/casters as close tothe drive wheels as you can without giving away stability.The farther away their contact with the mat is from the drivewheels, the harder the robot will be to turn. To understand thisconcept, pick up a broom and sweep the floor next to your

feet. Now try to sweep a spot far away from your feet.10. Dont try to work for much more than 90 minutes at a time,

and be sure to call it a day if youve spent more than 30minutes frustrated and stuck.Your brain will actually work onthe problem overnight, and while youre doing other things.When you come back to the problem, very often youll figure itout quickly.


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2013 FIRST All rights reserved except as noted || 53nnnnnn

The Project

FIRSTLEGOLeague (FLL) teams explorethe Challenge theme each year through theProject. FLL is not just about building and

competing with robots. Any successful engineeringproject requires a wide variety of skills. For example,

the NASA engineers who designed the Curiosity Mars rover learnedabout Mars before they started designing. They researched theatmosphere, gravity, and terrain on Mars in order to design a spacecraft that could deliver the rover safely. They learned from pastMars rovers and improved on those designs to create something

even better. The Project is your teams opportunity to see what itslike to be scientists, inventors, and engineers.

In the Project, your team will learn more about this years real-worldChallenge theme. The Project description will give your team someinformation about the topic to get them thinking and describethe essential steps each team must take. Your team will choose aproblem and research it, design their owninnovative solution to the problem, andshare their experience with others.

Many teams choose a problem that isvery personal. It might be a problem thataffects someone on the team or someonethey know. It is important to let yourteam members guide the choice, because

choosing something they really care aboutwill help the children see how big scientificconcepts connect to their own lives.

Project PreparationThe complete FLL Challenge (including theProject) will be released in the fall. At thattime, your team should:

c Download the Challenge from firstlegoleague.orgThe Challenge document contains both the Project and theRobot Game. The Project description will explain the details ofthis years Project and the steps your team will need to complete.

As a research activity,have your team

members exploreChallenge-relatedprofessions and

brainstorm as manycareers in that field as

they can.

Try It

Chapter6

nnnnnn

Th

eProject

The Project
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|| COACHES HANDBOOK: Chapter 6 2013 FIRST All rights reserved except as noted ||54 55nnnnnnnnnnnn

1. Identify a Real-World Problem

Identifying a problem is an important step in your teams processbecause it will shape your teams research and solution. FLL providesguidance in the Project description on how to begin this process, sorefer to the Project to keep your team on the right track.

c Research the Challenge topic using a variety of sources (suchas books, magazines, websites, reports, and other resources).

c Learn about or talk to at least 1 professional working in thefield of this years Challenge. The professional may be ascientist or engineer, or they might be someone working in a

local business, university, or nonprofit who uses the Challengetopic in their work. For example, a grocery store managercould be a great resource for a season on food safety becausehe or she works to keep the food in the store safe every day.

Your professional does not need to be an engineer.

c Discuss and analyze the problem(s) your team finds.

c Review existing solutions to the problem(s). This will help yourteam understand what is currently being done to solve theproblem(s) they found so they can improve upon a solutionthat already exists or create their own brand new solution.

c Decide on 1 real-world problem that your team will try to solve.

2. Create an Innovative Solution

The next step is to design an innovative solution that will address

the problem your team chose.

For the FLL Project, an innovative solution is an idea that makes lifebetter by improving something that already exists, using somethingthat exists in a new way, or inventing something totally new.

There are probably many possible ways to solve the problem yourteam chose. There may be disagreements between team membersabout the best solution. It might be a good idea to agree on adecision-making process ahead of time so that the disagreementsdo not lead to arguments or hurt feelings.

Coaches and team members shouldread the Project together. It is not alesson plan. Team members should haveaccess to read and interpret the Projectdocument with your help.

c Check the Project FAQHere FLL staff will clarify commonProject questions. Assign a student onyour team to check the Project FAQregularly. You do not want to wait untilthe tournament to find out about anymisunderstandings or corrections tothe Project description.

c Download the Topic Guide fromfirstlegoleague.orgThe Topic Guide contains resourcesto help your team with this seasonsProject: web links and books, aglossary of theme-related words, andtips on contacting professionals. Yourteam is not required to use the TopicGuide, but many teams find it helpfulwhen they start their research.

c Watch the Project DVDYou should have received a DVD with

Tip

The details of theProject change each

year, so read theProject descriptioncarefully. By design,

it is open-ended andallows for creativityand out of the box

thinking by the team.Its not about coming

up with the rightanswer, but about

unleashing the teammembers power of

creativity.

your Coaches Handbook called The Project: A Team Guideto the FLL Project. Watch this video with your team to learnmore about the Project from a teams perspective. The video isalso available on the FLL YouTube channel.

Project StepsThe Project instructions are purposely a little vague. This is to allowteams to choose a problem and solution that really interest them.However, all teams must follow these basic steps as well as anyseason-specific requirements described in the Challenge.
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|| COACHES HANDBOOK: Chapter 6 2013 FIRST All rights reserved except as noted ||56 57nnnnnnnnnnnn

Prepare a TournamentPresentationDecide How to Share With the Judes

If your team plans to attend an eventor tournament, be sure team membersprepare a presentation which shares theirProject in a creative and thoughtful way.A great presentation requires a balancebetween creativity and covering all the

required information. We have seen Projectspresented as songs, skits, radio broadcasts,TV interviews, poems, stories, dances, andplays. Judges are always interested in uniquepresentations, but a presentation withoutsubstance will not receive high marks.Each team must find its own way to showcreativity and demonstrate its knowledge.

c What talents can your team memberscontribute to the presentation? Doessomeone play an instrument? Draw?Sing? Dance?

c What format will allow your team toshow you have met all of the Projectrequirements?

Many teams also prepare a brochure orother material to leave with the judges.These materials do not need to be fancy.It is a great opportunity for your teamto present its Project in a short, easilyreadable format (your team may even choose to hand out extracopies to other teams during the event). If the team chooses toleave materials with the judges, be sure to clearly state whether youwould like them returned. Ask the judges to give them to the pitadministration before the awards ceremony, if desired, so you canpick them up.

Once your team members choose a solution, they should alsoconsider what would be required to implement it. Is the ideafeasible? What technology, materials, or manufacturing processeswould be needed to make their idea a reality? This might be a goodtime to involve the professional your team identified in step 1. Theyshould not tell your team how to solv

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