1. Sherwood ES Sharks Sherwood ES PTA Robotics Club Ken McKneely ken.mckneely@gmail.com 07 February 2012

2. Sherwood ES Sharks S&T Education and Employment Statistics Science & Technology Workforce averages 6.1% annual growth Future S&T employment growth is predicted to be over 20% between 2008-18 1 Annual growth rate of college degree production for all S&T fields is less than 2% 2 1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, National Industry-Occupation Employment Projections 2008–18 2 Science and Engineering Labor Force, National Science Foundation Science and Engineering Indicators 2012, http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind/ I believe that robotics can inspire young people to pursue science and engineering. And I also want to keep an eye on those robots in case they try anything. - President Barack Obama

3. Sherwood ES Sharks Founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Personal Transporter Mission is to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Non-profit 501 (c) (3) public charity ~ 300,000 students ages 6-18 worldwide particpate in all programs Provide college scholarship opportunities through 147 providers for high school FIRST participants

4. Sherwood ES Sharks Jr. and FIRST® LEGO® Leagues Introductory programs for 6-9 yr olds (Jr. FLL) and 9-14 yr olds (FLL) Designed to get children excited about science and technology and challenge them to think like scientists and engineers Explore challenges facing todays scientists Work in teams to solve problems using engineering concepts, presentation techniques, and ROBOTS! Opportunities to compete in regional and international Annual Challenge competitions Over 140 Jr. FLL and 195 FLL teams in Maryland for 2011 Season!

5. Sherwood ES Sharks

6. Educational Benefits Children – Solve real-world engineering challenges – Discover career possibilities – Apply Core Values and learn to make positive contributions to society – Engage with their community Teams – Apply math and science concepts to research, design, build, and program autonomous robots – Use LEGO MINDSTORMS technologies – Gain hands-on experience solving real-world problems – Learn from and interact with adult Mentors – Work as a group to overcome obstacles and meet challenges

7. Sherwood ES Sharks Coach Perspective In a 2004 evaluation of FLL, Brandeis University found: 94% of Coaches reported an increase in students understanding of how science and technology can be used to solve problems. Among participants: 77% 88% 93% 0%20%40%60%80% 100% Want to learn more about computers and robotics Want to learn more about science and technology Increased interest in science/technology-related jobs Source: FLL Program Study by Center for Youth and Communities, Brandeis University, May 2004

8. Sherwood ES Sharks Student Perspective In the 2004 evaluation of FLL, Brandeis University also found: Increased knowledge of: Source: FLL Program Study by Center for Youth and Communities, Brandeis University, May 2004 95% 93% 0%20%40%60%80%100% Use of school subjects in solving real-world problems Importance of science and technology in everyday life 90% Science and technology careers 97% Use of science and technology in real-world problem-solving

9. Sherwood ES Sharks Jr. FLL & FLL Season Overview Jr. FLLFLL Team RegistrationAugustMay Challenge Announcement AugustSeptember Research, Design, Build, & Test September - November TournamentsNovember - February

10. Sherwood ES Sharks 2012 FLL Senior Solutions Challenge Students explore the topic of aging – Examine how it may affect a persons ability to maintain his or her lifestyle – Research obstacles and then suggest ways to improve the quality of life for the seniors affected – Solve issues like getting around, keeping in touch, or staying fit. – Build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® robot to solve a set of missions on an obstacle course.

11. Sherwood ES Sharks Team Structure and Schedule Teams require at least one adult Coach – Serve as mentor and team facilitator – DO NOT NEED TO BE A SCIENTIST OR ENGINEER! Team Members cannot be older than 9 (Jr. FLL) or 14 (FLL) on Jan 1 of the year the challenge is introduced Teams meet 1-2 times/week Sept – Nov for ~2 hours

12. Sherwood ES Sharks Jr. FLL Registration, Materials and Costs Required Materials – Jr. FLL Team Registration (1 Required for each team): $25 – Jr. FLL Base Set (1 required for each team and can be reused): $150 – Jr. FLL Robotics Set (optional): $170 – S&H: ~$65 – Room Reservation Fee: TBD Total for Required Items: $~260/team for initial season, ~$25 for returning teams Optional Materials: – Storage Boxes: ~$20/box – Team T-Shirts: ~$8/shirt – Tournament fees: $5 - $100 – Misc. items, e.g., markers, paper, office supplies, snacks Costs are tax deductible and fundraising/sponsors can offset individual costs!

13. Sherwood ES Sharks FLL Registration, Materials and Costs Required Materials – FLL Team Registration (1 Required for each team): $225 – Field Setup Kit (may share among teams): $65 – FLL Robot Set (1 required for each team and can be reused): $420 – S&H: ~$65 – Game Table (team constructed): ~$60 (1) 96 x 48 x 3/8 sanded plywood sheet (6) 2 x 3 x 8 (1 pt.) Flat Black Paint (1/2 lb.) Coarse Drywall Screws, 6 x 2-1/2 (2) Saw horses, approx. 24 H x 36 W – Room Reservation Fee: TBD Total for Required Items: $~835/team for initial season, ~$450 for returning teams Optional Materials: – FLL Challenge Combo Set (Varies each year): $299 – Storage Boxes: ~$20/box – Team T-Shirts: ~$8/shirt – Tournament fees: $5 - $100 – Misc. items, e.g., markers, paper, office supplies, snacks Similar programs offered by for-profit businesses cost as much as $160/student for a 7-week session!

14. Sherwood ES Sharks Program Schedule Have an introductory meeting in February or March – Form teams – Set Goals and Objectives – Start thinking about team names – Discuss fundraising (if desired) Meet biweekly from March to June – Team Building activities – Building and programming skills with LEGO® Mindstorms – Mentor Presentations Meetings will restart at the beginning of the next school year

15. Sherwood ES Sharks Student Participation and Resgistration Maximum ratio of students to coaches is 6:1 (Jr. FLL) and 10:1 (FLL) Registration will be limited in order to maintain these ratios Registration forms will be distributed the week of March 05 Please consider becoming a Coach or Mentor!

16. Sherwood ES Sharks Coach and Mentor Responsibilities HAVE FUN! Help develop goals, facilitate meetings, encourage the process, assist with brainstorming strategies, monitor progress Maintain team schedule and give reminders of important deadlines Coordinate fundraising activities, sponorships Tournament registration Coaches and Mentors DO NOT NEED TO BE A SCIENTIST OR ENGINEER! – Many helpful resources available to you through FIRST! You provide the framework, the kids provide the content!

17. Sherwood ES Sharks Contact Info Please send any questions to: ken.mckneely@gmail.comken.mckneely@gmail.com (also in the PTA Directory) If you are interested in becoming a coach/mentor please contact me and let me know what days/times you would be available to host team meetings.

18. Sherwood ES Sharks More information can be found at http://www.usfirst.orghttp://www.usfirst.org