“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FIRST LEGO League Robotics Engineering our Future

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FLL Outreach Goals History: From a local non-profit organization held a FLL regional tournament in Chicago in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. When funding and support for this regional ended, most Chicago Public elementary schools stopped participating in FLL competitions. Our Goal: To revive the level of interest and participation in FLL within Chicago Public Schools.

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FLL Outreach Strategies Phase I - Our FLL school based recruitment drive started at the top: Market FLL to administrators (principals, district administrators) Get their commitment Allow them to identify coaches/volunteers Have them select or identify students for the team Phase II -Once coach(es) identified by administrators we began: Training on the fundamentals and core values of FLL Explaining the role and responsibilities of a coach Covering rules of the Challenge Training on constructing robots and using Mindstorms software

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FLL School, Parent, Community Involvement Phase III – Create by-in with FIRST LEGO League Kick-off’s Asked each school to hold a kick-off event for their FLL program by inviting parents, local community members, potential business sponsors, and the media. Explained FLL and the importance of parental involvement. Assigned interested adults to various roles to support the team. Sourced parents, community members, and businesses for technical volunteers (engineers, programmers, and others) who could assist with designing and programming the robots.

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FLL Mentoring Phase IV – Weekly mentoring support Scheduled weekly mentoring visits at each school to assist teams in all phases of the Challenge Provided support to coaches in assisting students to problem solve and find solutions to programming challenges, robot design and functionality, and basic research skills. Phase V – Volunteers and other mentors Created the High School Robotics Mentoring Program Pooled resources from our university partnerships to recruit faculty and student volunteers from engineering, science, math and pre-service teacher programs.

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory NASA SEMAA Chicago Public Schools Archdiocese of Chicago North Chicago School District Regional Expansion/ Growth Chicago Public Schools (4) Chicago Archdiocese (1) North Chicago School District (1) Current Teams New Teams Chicago Public Schools (10) Museum of Science & Industry (2) NASA SEMAA Chicago (1) North Chicago School District (2) Homewood/Flossmoor School District (1) Community Organizations (3)

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FLL Accomplishments Secured one national (FIRST) and three local (Motorola) scholarships to assist teams with purchase of LEGO Mindstorms kits and registration Surpassed original goal of two teams by adding three additional teams resulting in five rookie team registrations Secured $10,000 program donation from Discover Financial Services to support FLL and related activities Integrated NASA educational content in robotics utilizing the AEL and during team practice sessions to support all phases of the FLL Challenge Turbo Robo a unique team building workshop that: Increased teams technical knowledge and skills Provided training for coaches and parents Demonstrated the importance of teamwork Supported peer-to-peer learning

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FLL Highlights Team 6406 the St. Ethelreda Eagle Explosion qualifed to compete in the Illinois State Tournament. The entire Blue Eagle Science club and parents came out on a zero degree day to cheer on the team and support their children. Setting goals and working on a timeline helped this team successfully extend their season and participate with 63 of the best FLL teams in the state.

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory Plan FLL Kick-Off Events Eagle Explosion, Team 6406 from St. Ethelreda School kicked off their rookie season by having a whole school FIRST LEGO League assembly followed by an outdoor balloon launch. Parents, community members, local political officials, and the media were invited to share in the excitement.

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory A partnership established between NASA SEMAA Chicago and Discover Financial Services benefits our FIRST LEGO League efforts in North Chicago, Illinois at Neal Elementary School, sponsorship of our annual teambuilding event, Turbo Robo and hosting rookie resource and help sessions from other FLL teams in the region. SWAT team members give Pershing West Puma’s a short course in LEGO Mindstorms programming. The entire SWAT Team from Arlington Heights, IL made a special visit to Pershing West to provide an afternoon of technical assistance, research presenation advice, and general tips with two of our FLL teams. Develop Sponsorships & Corporate Support

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory Understanding the importance of building STEM Skills in young adults as well as providing an opportunity to give back, our NASA program created a unique opportunity for high school students to become involved in FIRST robotics by mentoring FIRST LEGO League teams. High school students were recruited from our home base school, Marine Military Academy and other Chicago Public high schools, Bronzeville Military Academy, and King College Prep, to mentor and provide tutoring in math to our five FLL teams. High School students receive service learning hours for their participation in the program and travel to local and national FIRST Robotics events. Marine Military Academy HS Robotics Mentors Work with students from Kellman and Pershing West schools See The Future….Then Choose a Way to Shape It High School Robotics Mentoring Initiative

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory Leverage existing partnerships The Museum of Science and Industry is one of our partner institutions. In October, our program participated in their annual Fall Fling and displayed and discussed FIRST LEGO League Robotics as part of our NASA program. We approached the programming staff in November with the idea of establishing a FLL team at the museum and providing demonstrations of the FLL challenge for museum visitors. Our proposal was accepted and we provide ongoing LEGO Mindstorms training on Saturdays for the Science Minors, a trained cadre of high school students that conduct experiments and demonstrations throughout the museum, to run missions and market FLL. In spring 2008 we will have open LEGO Mindstorms workshops on Saturdays for the public that will also include information on FIRST LEGO League. FIRST LEGO League teams will work and assist students in the Mars Robotics Rover workshop as part of NASA SEMAA’s Astro Jam event to be held at the museum in April.

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory Create Cool Events 2007 Turbo Robo 3,2,1….LEGO! Imagine…..8 FLL teams + 4 hours non-stop, inter-team LEGO Mindstorms building, programming, and table runs = gracious professionalism at its best!

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FLL teams have access to the NASA Aerospace Education Laboratory (AEL) a state-of-the-art, electronically enhanced, computerized classroom that puts cutting-edge technology at the fingertips of middle and high school aged students. Students work in the AEL to design, build and program LEGO Mindstorm robots for FLL competitions and simulated NASA missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Incorporate Technology: The NASA AEL

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory Create New Opportunities NASA SEMAA Chicago has provided science programming in the Chicago Park District’s summer day camp program since In the summer of 2008, our STEM in the Parks Program will expand to five parks directly impacting th -8 th graders and exposing over 3,000 youngsters to FIRST LEGO League robotics over a three week period. Campers will build and program LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots to accomplish missions from the Power Puzzle Challenge. We will end our camp with an inter-park non- qualifying event to be held at the end of July. The STEM in the Parks program will also be implemented in the North Chicago Park District in the summer of 2008.

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory Involve Families: The Family Café " We believe that children, parents/families, and teachers are partners in the educational process, and must be respected and appreciated for their individual needs and roles.” Parents, family members and community stakeholders are encouraged to volunteer during FLL team practices and support sessions by providing expertise, tutoring and other STEM and literacy support skills. They are also encouraged to volunteer at regional events as needed and assist teams with fundraising efforts. Parents of FLL team members assist with programming during a FLL Family Café Session

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FLL Expansion: Tips for Outreach Success  Eliminate the Fear Factor  Become a resource  Clarify your level of participation/support  Keep expectations on both sides within reasonable limits  Work smarter not harder  Be able to assess/identify challenges that exist or may arise with potential teams

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory NASA AEL Mentored FLL Teams Benefits  Robotics curriculum designed to meet skill levels and unique needs of students to ensure success  Participate in FIRST LEGO League workshops, summer camps, and non- qualifying events with our veteran FLL teams  Project based learning aligned with National and Illinois State science, mathematics Learning Standards  Connect with NASA Robotics Alliance Web resources  Incorporate NASA educational content and robotics missions  Link teams to FLL Website and encourage participation in forum discussions Tailor Benefits you can offer to New Teams

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory Use FLL to Increase Science Literacy and Add Value to Your Community  FLL team members learn science by doing  Partner with institutions of higher education, science centers, and museums to extend value of FLL  Bridge the participation gap for historically underserved and underrepresented K-12 youth in FIRST LEGO League  Include community stakeholders  Establish ownership of team and instill FLL core values with students and families  Increase STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) literacy in K-12 students. Studies show students who participate in programs such as FLL score higher on standardized tests.

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” SEMAASEMAA NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory FIRST LEGO League “Let your dreams take flight!