Welcome to FIRST Lego League! For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

Introduction to Robotics FIRST was developed to inspire kids! New challenge is released each year - this year it’s about water. Teams work together on 3 areas: robot, project and core values. Team competes at 1 tournament with a chance to advance.

Team Formation Most teams are already formed. Please let me know if there are any conflicts. Remember that your coaches are volunteers! Teams can choose to design/order their own t- shirts. (EP t-shirt design will be the challenge logo with team name) Teams decide on meeting times/locations. Teams often meet once or twice a week for a couple of hours. Teams select 1st and 2nd choice for regional. IF the team advances, the Sectional tournaments are in January.

Team Resources FIRST website (firstinspires.org) High Tech Kids (www.hightechkids.org) Free Coaches Training: Sept. 23 at CMS Workshops: available online, EP Community Ed will pay for training that coaches need Adult Mentors: Michelle Maas, Dean Hystad Student Mentors: Talon Robotics

What Makes a Winning Team

Prepare, Practice, Present 3 P’s Prepare, Practice, Present

General Information Challenge Information is online at www.firstinspires.org Kids should build robot, decide on the project, do the research, develop the project presentation, etc. Have students practice presentation - stand tall, respect teammates, be polite, take turns and say thank you! Read the entire challenge! Kids do the work! Practice ALL aspects

At Tournament Make sure to bring consent forms! 16 Teams compete in a division Teams are ranked by quartile More than one team advances - listen to awards carefully Families are welcome - bring a chair, refreshments (concessions are available) LONG day - be prepared! Teams have several “judging” sessions and robot runs - check your schedule!

Project Practice the presentation! Make sure to time the presentation Students do all the setup - adults don’t talk/help Kids need to be able to talk about the challenge! Use several sources for research Present a solution to the problem

Core Values Judges are looking at HOW they work together Do they work together, take turns, etc. Kids can ask questions Usually not a single right answer Kids should know some of the core values! Only 1 adult in the room Kids will asked to complete an activity

Robot Design Team brings robot and entire team starts at table Demonstrate best missions first Then 2 programmers will move aside with judge to show programming Practice talking about how robot was designed, ideas were developed, etc. Kids need to be able to talk about their robot Use of sensors helpful Students need to run computer

Competition Entire team can be on the floor but only 2 at the table at a time. Team is encouraged to cheer for their team. Referees don’t know your final score - that will be available after (usually at a computer projection) Students can/should double check the referee’s scoring Parents SHOULD NOT question ref - students only Consider a cart to carry robot and attachments Have a plan for order of missions Discuss what happens when a mission fails Practice switching attachments

FIRST is about INSPIRING kids - make sure to have fun and celebrate small victories!

Thanks! Questions?!