1. Sponsored by Young Innovators’ Society
FIRST Lego League Parents Information Night - Parents new to Lego League Parents or Parents of student “graduating” to a new level of Lego League- April 23, 2013 Presentation for Grades 4th to 12th- FLL - = 4th Grade FTC – FRC = High School
Denise: Thanks Group Polls group: # new to FIRST, # graduating to FLL, # interested or grad to FTC
Explain Acronyms!
Sponsored by
Young Innovators’ Society

2. Young Innovators’ Society = YIS Who we are:
YIS is local organization that inspires K-12 students to pursue STEM* learning, entrepreneurship and to become gracious, professional leaders.
*STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
YIS- Started 4 years ago, was SEC, last year changed name.

3. Young Innovators’ Society Programs Acronyms Defined
F.I.R.S.T. - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology – National Program
Jr. FLL = Junior First Lego League (k-3)
FLL = First Lego League (4-8th grade)
FTC = First Tech Challenge (High School)
FRC= First Robotic Challenge (High School)
Y.I.P.E.E. = Young Innovators’ Pursuing Engineering and Entrepreneurship
Science (straw rockets, Olympic skimmers, etc.)
Entrepreneurship Program (Lemonade Day)
Engineering & Entrepreneurship (Lemonade Stand Design & build)
Rocketry - TARC
FIRST is FLAGSHIP activity but we are more than that

4. YIS Accomplishments Junior FIRST Lego League (K-3rd Grade)
18 Jr. FLL Teams (K-3rd) Attended Expos
Jr. FLL everyone is an “Awesome Winner”!!
Denise

5. Accomplishments 2012-13 YIS FLL (FIRST Lego League 4th – 8th Grades)
18 YIS FLL Teams Competed in tournaments
7 YIS FLL Teams Advanced to Districts
4 YIS FLL Teams Advanced to State Tournament (Awards = Innovation, “Coopertition”, Research, and Judge’s Choice)
2 YIS FLL Teams are Regional Ambassadors
3 YIS FLL Teams competed in Global Innovation Award and invited to Entrepreneurship Fair at University School
Introduce Nadine

6. FLL

7. YIS Accomplishments FIRST TECH Challenge = FTC High School
FTC Teams competed at several tournaments and YIS placed in the top quartile
College Scholarships
Nadine Mention Scott Barto, Margaret Jung TEAM NAME FTC________________

8. FRC High School
FRC Cleveland State
FRC
Nadine

9. FRC First Robotics Challenge
High School Program
Cleveland State Tournament
Short Season Giant Robots
Nadine

10. Young Innovators’ Society & FIRST What YIS does to enhance the FIRST experience
YIS / FIRST Season kick-off with Core Values
Field Trips and/or Speaker Panel
Coach Roundtables (training & support)
Scrimmage
Presentation Night
Solon Tournament
Inspiration & Recognition
Parents information / membership meeting
Resources: coaches, mentors, “kid” mentors, former judges are all part of YIS
Nadine YIS & FIRST

11. What is F.I.R.S.T. Lego League For the Recognition of Science & Technology
VIDEO =>
Founders= Dean Kamen, Woody Flowers- MIT
Core Values & Gracious Professionalism based
Sponsors- Rockwell*, Time Warner, Timken, Nestle.
Expos / Awards
(non- profit) USE WEBSITE!
Nadine Play First video Time 15 min

12. FIRST “Challenges” Topics Sudied:
2009 Smart Move (Supply chain study)
2010 Body Forward (Biomedical)
2011 Food Factor (Food Safety)
2012 Super Seniors (Improving Seniors’ lives)
2013 NATURES FURY – DISASTER BLASTER
Preparation – Response – Recovery-
Nadine

13. FIRST Lego League Team members: (Ages 9 – 14 years)
Kids who turn 14 before Jan 1st may NOT be in FLL. Kids younger than 9 may graduate with their team to FLL if older kids were on their team who cannot remain in Juniors. Kids younger than 9 who are new to the program are STRONGLY discouraged from entering at FLL.
Nadine – FLL requirements

14. FLL (grades 4-8) Team of 4 to 10 students (YIS recommends 5 to 8)
Meets 1 or 2 times per week
THREE ASPECTS:
CORE VALUES
INNOVATIVE SOLUTION (research & presentation)
ROBOTICS
Nadine

15. Core Values Gracious Professionalism Inclusion Discovery Integration
Team Spirit
COMPETITION = Team exercise & Presentation
Nadine

16. Innovative Solution Create an innovative (new!) solution
Research – Scope of problem, existing solutions, evidence innovative solution will work, cost of implementation, etc.
Present Findings - Trifold poster and verbal presentation (often a skit)
Opportunity to submit idea for professional review after competition
Nadine

17. Robotics * Robotic Missions on 4’ x 8’ Lego Table
Build robot w/NXT Brick & Legos
Program Autonomous Robot
Do it again & again
Robot Engineering (Present to Judges)
Flowcharting
Design process
Strategy
Program code
Nadine

18. FLL – Typical Meeting (2 hrs)
Kids gather (snack if after school)
While they eat, discuss plan for the day
Teamwork game
Brainstorming/ Robot strategy (group think)
Split up for work in pairs like
Building attachment
Programming
Researching specific ideas
Nadine

19. FLL Tips From Team 7+1 = State Participant from Solon
Time (You decide!)
Very competitive teams meet 5 hours per week
New teams often meet 2 – 3 hours per week
Build a structure with simple time line and objectives
Define your research project early and stay on course
Carve out some fun time during weekly practice
Practice as much as possible
Get assistance from other team member parents
Tap into the current FLL resources
Nadine

20. Coach info Lego League is Coach Driven
Every team needs a parent volunteer coach –organizer type parent
Every team should have a volunteer mentor – technology type parent adult
WE NEED COACH VOLUNTEERS! Without them new coaches/mentors we can not form new teams.
ALL Team parents should have roles on your team (helpers) snack, extra set of hands/eyes.
Nadine

21. FLL Coach(es) Responsiblities
Each team requires a Coach and a Mentor or one very wonderful parent who is willing to fill both roles.
Coach Responsibilities & Mentor Responsibilities:
Arrange team location/ time schedule
Understand Lego education tools available
Send roster and dues to YIS
Collect money, register team with FIRST, order kit, register for tournaments
Tutor students to use Lego tools
Communicate with team members/ parents
Attend coaches training workshops and rountables
Ensure Team project meets F.I.R.S.T requirements for tournament
Arrange access to computer (PC based) (as applicable)
Participate in November Solon Scrimmage
Register for Tournament in December
Collect sizes & quantity to order T-shirts
Coordinate session agendas with mentor
Nadine

22. Coaches Workshops See www.solonstem.org for more details of dates
Solon- May 8, 2013 Orchard Middle School: How to coach:
Please attend if you are considering coaching, mentoring or helping a team
Rockwell Automation –Weekends- AWESOME TRAINING lots of training on technical aspects.
Discussion: Tournaments, Research Projects, Core Values, Coaching Tips, Problems, Teamwork Strategies, NXT Software, Tips and Tricks, Building Tips.
Program a prebuilt robot to complete a mission
Nadine

23. Coaches
There are typically training courses held by F.I.R.S.T. during the summer.
Register early, they tend to fill up. We will also be having coach/ mentor meetings.
YIS web site
Nadine

24. Team Formation 10 teams formed in Solon (First Year)
4 Jr. FLL
6 FLL teams
24 Teams in the Second Year
12 Jr. FLL
12 FLL
1 FTC
38 Teams in Third Year…
How they came to be….
Nadine

25. Team Formation Its up to you. – but we can help!
YIS DOES NOT “PLACE” KIDS ON TEAMS-
ATTEND THE POPCORN SOCIAL EVENT- May 22, Solon Community Park – 7:00 pm to find a team.
Talk to other parents with interested kids
Approximately the same grade level
School Attended
Neighborhood
Existing Friends
Schedules / Conflicts
Coach Availability is the primary factor
Team Goals and Commitments
Nadine

26. Teams can form now:
Collect names & numbers of others at the Popcorn Social.
When you find a team and someone volunteers to coach it, only the coach can put you on the roster.
Match availability & compatibility
Formed Teams:
Coach submits “Team Roster, Membership Forms, and Membership Checks to YIS-
You don’t pay until you are on a team.
*Choose wisely -there are no refunds*
Coach designs budget, orders equipment from FIRST
Nadine

27. COACH submits roster Online…
Formed Teams:
Coach submits “TEAM Roster, Membership Forms, and Membership Checks to YIS
Coach designs budget, orders equipment from FIRST DIRECTLY (change from last year)
Coach selects and registers their team for the tournament / expo they want to participate in
DO THIS EARLY for best tournament selection
Nadine

28. FLL Estimated Costs - YIS dues is $80/ student Nadine
FIRST Lego League
FLL
Ages years
Team size: participants
Young Innovators’ Society Perks
Team Access & Base Kit
$260.00
> Information Night to get started
Robotic Equipment (Mindstorm)
$350.00
> Team formation support
Rechargeable Battery
$50.00
> Coach & Mentor training
$660.00
> Access to experienced coaches
> Coach Roundtables
Platform for Robotic presentations
$100.00
estimate
> Fall scrimmage for team practice
Tournament costs
$75.00
Presentation Night (for practice)
Core Values Kick-off
Tournament presentation materials
> Possible panel or field trip
Team laptop, field trips, snacks
$435.00
 > Team designs unique t-shirts
YIS Dues
$480.00
($80x6)
$570.00
 YIS dues is $80/ student
Total estimate per team:
$1800
Per student fee:
$300.00
(based on 6 students)
Not included:
Travel expenses to local tournament (to be decided by team).
Other expenses may arise. These should be discussed with your coach. There are no refunds.
Nadine

29. Corporate Sponsorship
Rockwell Employee = Can Coach or Mentor up to Four FLL Teams.
Rockwell provides sponsorship grants
Nadine…

30. Important -On line Resources
FIRST information Details=
Young Innovators Society info:
Membership, dates, program details:
YIS President – Nadine Otterman
YIS Membership – Denise Riccio
Nadine

31. Discussion & Questions Session
Visit Teams and see their
Models
Posters / Research Presentations
Robots in action
Meet Existing Coaches
Coaches: Let us know when you have your team
Don’t forget about the coaches workshop May 8.
Popcorn Social = May 22!
Nadine… send to table & meet coaches from last yr

32. YIS Members-Reminder Parents Night Volunteers & Responsibilities
DJ – bring model lego / poster –Orange T shirt/3x5 cards, pencils, slide show, projector, cable, Extension cord, laptop, speakers
NO- Bring FLL poster/robot/project
Mike F- Mat- Table Field kit, sound system
Michele F – Banner – Nametags
Scott Barto FTC – robot, project?
Teams coming?
Wear Orange T- Shirts