FIRST® LEGO® League Project and Judging Food Factor® Challenge June 15, 2011

Introductions Ben Black System Engineer – advanced control, simulation and robotics National Instruments -- and – Judge Advisor for Central Texas FLL |

The Four Components of Judging Robot Game Technical Presentation Teamwork/ FLL Core Values Research Project & Presentation Note: to be eligible for an award, your team MUST take part in all elements of the competition

Technical Judging Design – Complexity – Efficiency Programming – Combination of tasks – Use of programming structure Engineering Process – Design process – Choice of tasks

What to expect… Question & Answer Format Make sure you bring… – Your robot – A printed copy of your programs Remind your students “Ask the judges to rephrase if you don’t understand the question!!!”

Core Values Judging

Judges are looking for… Well defined tasks for each student A functional / healthy team structure – One strong leader – Multiple strong leaders – Leadership by committee – …etc Understanding of FLL core values Practice of FLL core values

The Project “”

Specific slide for 2011 xxx

The Project: 3 Easy Steps 1.Identify a problem 2.Develop an innovative solution 3.Share results

1 – Identify a Problem Research Chaos Internet More chaos More pointed research Dwindling chaos Consultation of experts Convergence on a research topic

2 – Develop an Innovative Solution Come up with some solution to the problem that you identified… Two most common questions: – What is “innovative?” – How realistic does the solution need to be?

Share your solution… Tell your community about the problem Share your solution with them – Put a video on YouTube – Pass out fliers – Perform a skit at a community meeting – your Congress person or City Council Member

Where to start... usfirst.org – FLL > 11 Years of Themed Challenges > 2011 Food Factor Challenge READ THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION! usfirst.org – 2011 Body Forward Challenge > Project Topic Guide – Read How-To Guide

Present Your Work Three required parts – Describe your problem and solution – Show research and talk about sources – Show how you shared your findings To share with the judges... – The importance of the project theme – Solid research – Your innovative solution

How to Share Pick a presentation style Leave time to polish – Understand the theme well – Involve your community – Survey your team's individual talents – PRACTICE! Present in 5 minutes...including setup time

Resources – 2010 Body Forward Challenge > Talking to Experts Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society – – Educators Toolbox > Career Guide Biomedical Engineering Net – BME net resources

Getting Ready

Preparing for the Season Sample season schedule in Coaches’ Handbook – Page 97 (*) Let the students research – Build excitement about the theme – Pick an interesting and tangible topic – Slowly mold the chaos into a research project Reach out to community experts – Resources listed here – Look for resources in your school community

Preparing for Competitions PRACTICE! – Practice the game with a timer – Practice the research presentation including… Setup time Costumes Sample questions – Practice for the technical judging Use judging rubrics to make sample questions – In your Coaches’ Handbook, pages (*) Bring everything you’ll need Make plans for lunch

What to Expect at a Tournament 8:00 –Check-in 9:00 –Opening Ceremonies 9:30-11:30 –Round 1 of competition and presentations Lunch 11:30-2:30 –Rounds 2 and 3 and remaining presentations 3:00 –Closing Ceremony – Also see “How the Day Works” in Coaches’ Handbook, pages 70-80

The Morning of the Competition Be on time! Get set up in the pit and meet the teams around you Take inventory of everything you need for the day Make sure you know where you need to be and when (both for judging and for the game) Relax and have fun