Florida FLL

1. Florida FLL Coach's Training

2. Our Objectives: • What is FLL? • Know the lingo • The core: Gracious Professionalism • What is a Team? • Price • Timeline • Where to start? • The Game • Events and Tournaments • Questions

3. FIRST LEGO League What is FLL? • FLL teams learn to make positive contributions to society. • Design, build, test and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology • Apply real-world math and science concepts • Research challenges facing today’s scientists • Learn critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills  • Participate in tournaments and celebrations

4. Know The Lingo! • FLL – FIRST LEGO League • FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology • Gracious Professionalism - • "Competition for the sake not of destroying one another, but for the sake of bettering and improving both competitors as a result of the competition.“ – Woodie Flowers

5. The Core:Gracious Professionalism GP is: • Respect for the feelings, opinions, culture of others • Respect for equipment • Good sportsmanship • Being friendly and polite at all times to all persons The good: • Fun physical pushing, shoving, or other kid behaviors • Tossing LEGO to each other • Running when appropriate The Bad • Laughing at others mistakes • Making negative comments about other teams, robots, shirts, mascots, etc.

6. What is a Team? • 3 to 10 Kids ages 9 through 14 • 1 or 2 coach’s • Holding meetings an average of 2 days a week for 2 hours per meeting • Build and program a robot • Do a research project • Attend an open practice • Attend 2 weekend qualifier tournaments • If qualified attend a regional and state tournaments.

7. Price

8. Timeline *FIRST World Festival by invitation only

9. Where do I start? • The coach/mentor • Prep work • The team • Team member selection

10. 1. The Coach/Mentor • There can only be one coach • Although it is wise to have a backup/assistant • Don’t be afraid to ask parents for help • Must be the leader of the team • Does not need technical skills • Kids will pick up the robot without much help • Consistency matters – establish a routine early • Teach through questions – brainstorm • “what would happen if … ?” • “And then … ?” • “How will that affect … ?” • Keep presentations to less than 20 minutes • Be part of the team, if they are out playing go play with them

11. 2. Prep work • Approximately 2 hours per week • Reading the FLL Forum • Coordination help • Maintaining equipment • Storage • Charging batteries • Interfacing with sponsors • Purchasing supplies • Registering for competitions

12. 3. The Team • Commitment: • Has the same commitment as Soccer or Baseball and should be treated with equal importance • Meetings 2 days a week for 2 hours per meeting • 2 weekend tournaments between nov.1 and feb.1 • 3 to 10 students (optimum 6 or 7)ages 9 through 14 • Has the Coach at every meeting • Has planed location

13. 4. Team Member Selection • 3 to 10 members aged 9 through 14 • Important commitment with Saturday or Sunday tournaments • Sign contract/agreements for participation • Charge for participation? • County Soccer = $90-$210 per season • Baseball = $75-$250 • No I in Team • Do not let members work alone • Avoid sending the robot home with anyone • Assign homework and report outs.

14. Dealing with problem parents or team members • Its not uncommon to have difficulty with team members or parents, these problems can be dealt with easily by setting clear rules • Use the Contract and make sure parents and kids understand what is expected Problems: • Not listening • Not working together • Theft • Overly negative attitudes • Disrespect to anyone • Not turning in homework • Not attending meetings • Not attending tournaments • Not being picked up on time

15. Ideas for dealing with … • Deal with problems directly and quickly • Make discussions private, out of earshot of the team • If problems with members persist, have the child taken home. • Remove problem members, send them to the corner, out of the group but within earshot • If the issue remains unresolved remove them from the team. While this is hard to do it can make the difference between a happy or stressed team

16. The Game

17. The Robot • Game rules are released each year on September 3 • Only a small percentage of teams achieve a perfect score • There is no “correct” solution – only creative solutions • Any LEGO element that is not excluded by the rules can be used • You may not modify any part unless an exemption is in the rules • Ask Questions • The rules are literal and are not up for interpretation • Don’t make up rules • Keep score at every meeting • The robot counts towards 33% of your score

18. The Research Project • All parts of the research project must be completed • Find a problem • Find a solution • Prepare a presentation • Share your ideas with someone who cares • Create a 5 minute presentation for judges showing everything you did. • Let the kids be creative • There are no right answers – only creative solutions • The project can be as sophisticated as the team makes it, but should reflect the teams interests and capabilities • READ THE RULES • The Research Project counts towards 33% of your score

19. Project Continued…. • The saying “there is no wrong answer.” is wrong!!! • The rules must be followed or the project will be wrong!!! • As the coach, you must be the cop, good or bad – its your job as the coach!!!

20. Core Values (Teamwork) • Allow the team to choose a name, mascot, design t-shirts, hats and buttons • Play teambuilding games • Design giveaways • Teams actively trade trinkets at tournaments • Problem solve in small groups • Schedule demonstrations for parents • Core Values counts towards 33% of your score • Play soccer/launch soda rockets/watch a movie/get ice cream HAVE FUN!

21. Tournaments and Events • Kick-Off: Teams come to get a close-up look at the game after it is announced, explanation of the research project and other great information. September 10th • Open Practice: Teams spend the day with other teams working informally on the robot research and teamwork • Local/Practice Tournament: Low key practice event, no advancement. • Qualifying tournament: Teams compete and are judged using FIRST rubrics and scoring – winners advance to Regionals. • Regional Tournaments: winning teams from each region compete for advancement to the State Championship • State Championship: Competition and exhibition of the 48 best teams in Florida • Teams my apply for as many qualifiers as they wish, and are able to win awards at all tournaments. Qualifying teams will be assigned to Regionals.

22. Basics of Tournaments • This is a competitive sport • FITST LEGO League provides the structure and rules of competition • Points are awarded based on the FIRST FLL Rubrics • The team with the highest robot score does not always win the Champions Award • Teamwork and GP will shine more than a slick robot • Any GP violations committed by anyone associated with your team will reflect poorly on your team, possibly removing you from award contention. • Be prepared

23. FYI • FIRST Teams and volunteers set up, organize and run the events and competitions in a way that is fun and fair, adhering strictly to the FIRST FLL rules • Host FLL teams may not participate in their own events • Teams may be asked to bring their playing field to events to help support the hosting team • Florida Robotics Education Inc. and anyone associated in running Florida FLL events are volunteers.

24. Questions?