SDRA and SD FLL

 National Organization ◦ FIRST ◦ Dean Kamen  Affiliate and Operational Partners ◦ SDRA ◦ Robyn Swets  Teams ◦ You!

 How does the coach on the video act?  What is her role?  Does that role change – if so, how?  How does she relate to the kids?  Is she knowledgeable about the robot and programming?  What does she do with her knowledge?  What could she have done better?

 We are a team.  We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors.  We know our coaches and mentors don't have all the answers; we learn together.  We honor the spirit of friendly competition.  What we discover is more important than what we win.  We share our experiences with others.  We display Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® in everything we do.  We have FUN!

 First steps ◦ 3-10 kids, no more, no less ◦ Kids between 9 and 14, no older, no younger ◦ One adult coach, plus additional mentors if desired ◦ Decide how team will be organized  Submit a rookie grant to SDRA or register with FIRST  Read your coach handbook  Start practices  Attend a competition

 Teams need the following things to practice: ◦ Robot ◦ Field kit (the mat and LEGO pieces that go with them) ◦ 4X8 FLL table ◦ Computer with Mindstorms installed ◦ Various office, craft, and costume supplies needed for working on the research project ◦ Coaches Handbook!!

 Team t-shirts  Flair for competitions  A team “book” describing your season  Snacks  Multiple computers for simultaneous work

 Challenge Release – August 28, 2012  Can begin practice as soon as kits arrive  Team Mentoring  Open Practices – October/November  Qualifyers - December  Championship Event – February 9, 2013, Augustana College

 Pretend you are a team of kids  Give the tasks on the list “due dates” for a December competition date ◦ Tasks are for 2 of the parts – robot and project ◦ More or less in chronological order  Think about how you would facilitate this discussion with your own kids