1. FIRST Robotics in Louisiana Scot Marshall, Senior Mentor 2006 John Q. Adams Pathfinders

2. FIRST Things First For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology –Began 18 years ago (1989) –Expect to reach over 135,000 Students in 2008 –A 501(c)(3) with a small staff at HQ in Manchester, NH –$20M annual operating budget –$8M in scholarships to FIRST participants last year –Over 2000 corporate sponsors –Over 60,000 volunteers world-wide –5 programs reach every layer of education and industry Sport for the Mind: Combining the excitement of sport with science and technology

3. The Complete FIRST Participant Unique Headwear (Temporary) Hair Color Face Paint Team T-Shirt –Team Name – Sea Dragons –Team Number - 5315 –Yearly Theme – Ocean Odyssey –Color Theme – Purple, Grn, Gld –Sponsors, Logos Cheer, Song, Chant Team Buttons Team Handouts Noise Maker Posters Laptop Pit Display Pit Decorations No Advertising! 2005 Champion St. Dominic Sea Dragons

4. K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Grade FIRST LEGO League (1998) FIRST Robotics Competition (1992) Junior FIRST LEGO League (2004 Pilot) FIRST Tech Challenge (2005 Pilot) There’s a FIRST for Every Age 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Age

5. FIRST in Louisiana Building Louisiana Science and Technology –A 501(c)(3) All volunteer across Louisiana & Mississippi –A core of 35 that organizes 100+ volunteers to provide: o FIRST LEGO League o Bayou Regional FIRST Robotics Competition o Educational outreach to mentors and students –Tulane University & University of New Orleans sponsor –Seeking additional corporate and private supporters –Seeking mentors to continue building the vision American Petroleum Institute

6. FIRST in Louisiana Parish Ascension Caddo E. Baton Rouge E. Feliciana Jefferson Lincoln Orleans Ouchita Plaquemines St. Bernard St. Charles St. James St. Tammany Tangipahoa Terrebonne Washington 1 4 2 1 9 2 11 1 1 7 1 Junior 141142410 04 1 141142410 04 1 11 1 7 11 61 1 11 1 7 11 61 1 11 1 4 11 61 1 11 1 4 11 61 1 2007Inception

7. A FIRST is a Year-Round Activity Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr FIRST Tech Challenge FIRST LEGO League FIRST Robotics Competition Junior FIRST LEGO League A 6W ? Basics HS Robotics Class ? ? 5W Build 12W 4W CHAMPIONSHIPCHAMPIONSHIP Not Active in Louisiana yet

8. 2007-2008 Competition Hosts March 27-29, 2008 Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA December 1, 2007 J. D. Meisler Middle School Metairie, LA

9. The 1-Day FLL Competition 25% Design –The students perform a 10-minute design review of their robot and its apparatus for 2 judges (no mentor) 25% Performance –Best of 3 tries on the competition table - 2.5 minutes 25% Research –2 minute set-up, 5 minute presentation, 5 minutes for questions, 2-minute take-down (no mentor) 25% Teamwork –1 minute explanation from the judges, 7 minutes to solve as a team, 2 minutes questions (no mentor)

10. The 3-Day FRC Competition Inspection, Pit Construction, Practice Rounds, Repair –The robots are inspected to verify they meet weight, dimensional, technical, and safety requirements. –Teams practice on the field to make last-minute corrections Qualifying Rounds, Judging, Awards –Typically 2 teams of 3 compete as a Red and Blue alliance in the challenge for the year. Alliances are random selections by FIRST –Matches are about 2.5 minutes each Qualifying, Finals, Closing Ceremonies –The top 8 teams pick their 2 other permanent partners of the alliance. Best 2 of 3 move on to semis and finals. All 3 teams on the winning alliance go to Atlanta to the Championships Clean-up, Packing, and Departure –All teams, robots, playing field complete. Doors close by 6:00 PM

11. The competition requires students apply engineering principles, science, math and computer programming. FIRST promotes excitement for core academics in math and science that few other activities do for all students. A natural extension of the competition is more student interest in robotics and engineering electives. It is the ultimate in hands-on learning for all students - gifted, honors, regular, and children with special needs The layers of mentoring provides incredible synergy A national competition that is supported locally by public & private schools, universities, nonprofits and industry It is cheaper than football –FLL Team expenses are $700 per Rookie team, $350 for returning teams –FRC Team expenses are $7,000 to $20,000-25,000 depending on lodging There’s a FIRST for Every Student: An Educator’s Perspective

12. Marketing Fund Raising Networking / Contacts Public Relations Press Relations Purchasing Budgeting Writing Transportation Lodging Food Snacks Drink Coffee What Skills Are Developed? OSHA /Safety Construction Wiring Machining Sensors Gears Motors Fasteners Connectors Valves Relays Composites Metals

13. Management Requirements Scheduling Strategy/Tactical Reconnaissance Statistical Analysis Criminal Justice Photography Drafting / CAD Graphic Design Drawing / Artwork Video Software Programming Website Design Web Search Information Organization Word/Excel/PowerPoint Psychology Sociology Team Spirit Motivation Presentation Research What Skills Are Developed?

14. Management  Project Scheduling  Rubric & Awards  Evaluation & Judging  Competition Rules  Forums Robot Competition  Strategy  Hardware Design  Software Design  Robot Operator (2) Research Project  Researcher  Script and Choreography  Research Report Team Spirit / Marketing  Team Shirt & Artwork Design  Research Project Props  Scrapbook  Press Relations  Community Outreach  Fund Raising Sample Task Assignments

15. Why Should I Mentor? You Make The Impossible Very Possible The Students Need Your Experience The Faculty Advisor Needs Your Expertise The Robot Needs Your Brain Never Had the Opportunity Before Now I Have Been a FIRST Mentor Before Experience / Special Knowledge to Share I was Mentored - I Know the Value Make a Difference in the Life of a Teen Further my Career or Experience Coach Other Sports/Activities Like to Teach, Time to Share Do the Right Thing for the Right Reason The Poor Overloaded Faculty Advisor Needs Help!

16. The NXT Generation

17. FLL Challenge History 1998: Pilot – 2 Tournaments 1999: First Contact – Astronauts in Space 2000: Volcanic Panic – Volcanic Eruption 2001: Arctic Impact – Arctic Research 2002: City Sights – Urban Planners 2003: Mission Mars – Robotic Exploration 2004: No Limits – World of the Disabled 2005: Ocean Odyssey – Undersea Ecology 2006: Nano Quest – Molecular Science 2007: Power Puzzle - Energy Louisiana Participation

18. 2007 FLL Challenge 2007 Power Puzzle Est. 105,000 kids worldwide 10,500 teams (15% growth) US and Canada 70,000 kids; 7,000 teams 260 Qualifying events 70 Championship tournaments Worldwide 35,000 kids; 3,500 teams, 38 countries 130 Qualifying events 38 Championship tournaments

19. JFLL Challenge History 2006 Pilot 3,500 kids ages 6-9 702 teams US and Canada Geared to children aged 6 to 9 years old Utilizes a modified FIRST LEGO League (FLL) framework. Teams of up to 6 children and an adult mentor receive a mini challenge, based on the annual FLL research project. Uses an open-ended LEGO building set, to design a model depicting an aspect of the FLL Challenge. Teams spend approximately one month exploring, investigating, designing and building a model made with LEGO bricks. Teams create a "Show Me" poster that depicts the teams’ experience during this process, through drawings and words.

20. FLL Challenge History 2005 Ocean Odyssey Teams 7,460 teams 60,000 kids worldwide 56 tournaments (US) 12 tournaments (outside US & Canada) 2004 NO Limits Teams 6,000 teams 50,000 kids 210 tournaments Japan, South Africa, Turkey and Mexico joins FLL International with a Pilot tournaments. 2003 Mission Mars Teams 5,000 teams 42,000 kids 200 tournaments China, Brazil and South Korea joins FLL International with a Pilot tournaments. 2002 City Sights Teams 3,001 teams 27,009 kids 119 tournaments France joins FLL International with a Pilot tournament in Paris. Singapore Science Center hosts first official FLL International tournament in Singapore. 2001 Artic Impact Teams 18,500 kids 59 tournaments FLL International Pilot Tournaments in the UK hosted by Young Technologists and in Germany hosted by Hands-on- Technology. 2000 Volcanic Panic Teams 15.000 kids 50 tournaments in the USA FLL International Pilot Tournament in Norway hosted by FIRST Scandinavia. 1999 FIRST Contact Teams 9.500 kids 9 tournaments in the USA Official launch of the FIRST LEGO League program in the USA. 1998 Pilot Teams 1.600 kids 2 Pilot tournaments FIRST and LEGO Company pilots the FIRST LEGO League concept.

21. A Perfect Score

22. FRC Challenge History 1992: Maize Craze … 2000: Co-Operation FIRST 2001: Diabolical Dynamics 2002: Zone Zeal 2003: Stack Attack 2004: FIRST Frenzy Raising the Bar – Ball Placement and Robotic Chin-ups 2005: Triple Play – Robotic Tic-Tac-Toe 2006: Aim High – Soccer and Basketball 2007: Rack ‘N’ Roll – Pick and Place Swim Rings Louisiana Participation

23. 2007 FRC Challenge 2007 Rack ‘N’ Roll 32,675 kids worldwide in 7 Countries 1,307 teams, 1,047 returning 18,300 Mentors US and Canada 31,250 kids; 1,250 teams 35 Regional events Worldwide 1425 kids; 57 teams from 5 countries 2 Qualifying events

24. 2007 Bayou Regional Bruce J. Heim Foundation

26. The FLL Team Core Values We are a team We have fun We do the work to find the solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors 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 in all we do Gracious Professionalism: Gracious attitudes and behaviors that are “win-win” Gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their actions Gracious professionals make a valued contribution in a manner pleasing to others and themselves as they possess special knowledge and are trusted by society to use that knowledge responsibly

27. At the End of the Season… The true goals of FLL have nothing to do with winning medals or trophies. If you can look back on the season and know you accomplished at least one of these goals, you have achieved the most important goal We had fun! We did something we didn’t think we could do We figured out how to manage time, deal with setbacks, and communicate ideas We respected and considered ideas from everyone on the team We learned that research helped us better understand a problem and build a realistic solution We learned how useful and fun applied math and science can be We improved over last year We helped our community

28. Important Dates September 15 10:00 AM - 12:00 N Louisiana 2007 Power Puzzle Kickoff for Mentors, Teachers, and Students University of New Orleans - Homer L. Hitt Alumni Center (see map on Links page) Playing Field Analysis Scoring and Strategy Research Sources and Tips Q & A September 29 8:30 AM - 12:00 N Louisiana 2007 Power Puzzle Workshop for Mentors, Teachers, and Students Tulane University - Stanley Thomas - 3rd Floor (Rm. 316?) (see map on Links page) Rules Judging NXT Programming Sensor Calibration Q & A

29. Back-up Charts Scot Marshall Louisiana FLL Technical Coordinator scot@LaFLL.org www.LaFLL.org www.YouTube.com/PRforLaFLL Curtis Craig Louisiana FRC Technical Coordinator curtis@LaFRC.org www.LaFRC.org www.YouTube.com/PRforLaFRC

31. Funding Sources in the past, NASA has given growth grants of $6K for the first two years, and that we expect that to continue for the 2007 / 2008 season, Hopefully, this will be finalized in the next couple of weeks Lockheed Martin sponsored teams in excess of $100,000 last year

32. FIRST on the Southshore 6 FRC; 7 FLL

33. 2007 FIRST LEGO League Scot Marshall Lockheed Martin Test Engineer Louisiana FLL Technical Coordinator www.LaFLL.org www.YouTube.com/PRforLaFLL St. Dominic Sea Dragons at 2005 FLL Championship American Petroleum Institute

34. FIRST LEGO League Values Respect each other in the best spirit of teamwork Behave with courtesy and compassion for others at all times Honor the spirit of friendly competition Act with integrity Demonstrate Gracious Professionalism Focus on the experience, not the awards Remember that the children do the work Encourage others to adopt these values FLL succeeds most fully when team members bring the FLL values they learn back to their community

35. Building a Team Guidance, Structure, Encouragement, Fun Mentors –Parent, Engineer, High School FRC participant, Science Professional, Graphic Artist, Volunteer, Programmer, Marketing Expert, Instructor Team Dynamics & Work Groups –Size, Age, Team/Individual Psyche –Hardware Design, Program, Strategy, Research, Operators, Project Management, Test, Marketing, Documentation, Fundraising, Team Spirit Rubrics (Improve, Fair, Good, Excellent) –Robot Design, Project, Teamwork & FLL Values A student once said he didn't much care for rubrics: "if you get something wrong, your teacher can prove you knew what you were supposed to do."

36. FLL Challenge History 2006 NanoQuest 88,000 kids Worldwide 8,847 teams US and Canada 56,010 kids; 5,601 teams 250 Qualifying events 63 Championship tournaments Worldwide 32,460 kids; 3,246 teams from 35 countries 112 Qualifying events 25 Championship tournaments Demographics 70% Boys; 30% Girls

37. Design Rubric Innovative Design Strategy, Process, Problem-solving Locomotion & Navigation –Goes defined distances efficiently –Adjusts speed, position sensing for optimum speed and accuracy –Turns accurately and consistently –Allows for variables (battery discharge, obstacles) –Moves between two points with very good accuracy and consistency –May use various sensors Programming Kids do the Work Structural Overall Design

38. Project Rubric Topic & Language Use Completeness, Teamwork Background, Data & Graphics Analysis & Conclusions –Presentation thoroughly links to research questions –Relevance to FLL theme is clearly stated –Alternative views considered with well-supported position on issues –Conclusions are clearly supported by data –Analysis clearly relates well to research question –Original, important insights are shared Style

39. Teamwork & FLL Values Rubric Roles & Responsibilities –Clearly defined roles –Workload is distributed fairly and team members understand each other’s roles –Team members fill each other’s roles (happily!), if needed –Team members give concrete examples of learning time management Gracious Professionalism Problem-solving & Team Dynamics Confidence & Enthusiasm FLL Values

40. 30 Teams Competed in 2006 A. E. Phillips Middle School: NanoDawgs Adams Middle School: Adams Robots Baker Middle School: Roboraiders; Roboracers Dighton Prep: Battle Droids Episcopal High School: Leggo my LEGO Grace Home Educators: LEGO Maniacs; LEGO Lunatics Haynes Academy: Team Tech; NeXT Generation Keithville Middle School: Swamp Eagles Lake Castle Madisonville: RoboJets Blue; RoboJets Gold Linwood Middle School: Robocats 1; Robocats 2; Robocats 3 Louisiana Tech University: NanoDawgs2

41. McMain Secondary High School: McMain Tech Rays Meisler Middle School: Meisler Chiefs Metairie Park Country Day School: Robo Cajuns Nelson – UNO Charter School: The Rooks Patrick F. Taylor Science & Tech. Academy: Taylor Robots Pendergrass Family: GloryBots Ridgewood Middle School: RoboRaiders Roosevelt Middle School: Rough Riders St. Dominic’s School: Molecule Masters; Atoms Family St. George's Episcopal School: St. George’s #1 St. James Science & Math Academy: S.M.A.L.L. Synergy 30 Teams Competed in 2006

42. 2006 NanoQuest Awards Director Award 1st Place: Louisiana Tech University Director Runner-Up: St. James Science & Math Academy Robot Design Award 1st Place: St. Dominic’s School Robot Design Award 2nd Place: Metairie Park Country Day School Robot Performance Award: Louisiana Tech University Research Presentation Award 1st Place: Grace Home Educators Research Presentation Award 2nd Place: Dighton Prep Teamwork & FLL Values Award 1st Place: A. E. Phillips Middle School Teamwork & FLL Values Award 2nd Place: St. Dominic’s School Special Judges Award – Above All Odds: Baker Middle School; Pendergrass Family Rookie Team Award: Haynes Academy

43. The Coaches’ Promise (the really hard part!) The children come first FLL is about the children having fun and getting excited about science and technology. Everything my team does starts and ends with that principle. The children do the work This is their opportunity to learn and grow. The children on my team do all the programming, research, problem solving, and building. Adults can help them find answers, but cannot give them answers or make decisions. My team is comprised of 10 or fewer members (all team members participate on only 1 team), registered as an official FLL team, and all team members are no older than 14 on January 1st of the Challenge year. FLL communicates with my team via my primary email address, and I am responsible for reading and relaying all aspects of FLL guidelines and rules to my team, other coaches, volunteers, and parents. I will encourage my team members, other coaches, volunteers, parents, and team supporters to develop and practice a set of FLL values that reflect FIRST’s goal to challenge culture in a positive way by inspiring others through our team’s actions and words.

44. 17 Teams Competed in 2005 Adams Middle School: Ocean Tech Baker Middle School: Terror Squad; Roboracers Keithville Middle School: Demon Eagles Linwood Middle School: The Buildaholics; The Robocats Louise S. McGehee School Meisler Middle School: Meisler Chiefs Patrick F. Taylor Science & Tech. Academy: Team 1& 2 Pineville Middle School / William Pitcher Jr. High: USS DLUECGKO Riverdale Middle School Roosevelt Middle School: Rough Riders Ridgewood Middle School: Bionicle Gladiators St. Dominic’s School: Sea Dragons St. George's Episcopal School St. James Science & Math Academy: S.M.A.L.L. Synergy

45. 2005-2006 Awards Director Award 1st Place: Sea Dragons - St. Dominic's School Director Runner 2nd Place: Louise S. McGehee School Robot Design Award 1st Place: S.M.A.L.L. Synergy - St. James Science & Math Academy Robot Design Award 2nd Place: Louise S. McGehee School Research Presentation Award 1st Place: Ocean Tech - Adams Middle School Research Presentation Award 2nd Place: Meisler Chiefs - Meisler Middle School Teamwork & FLL Values Award 1st Place: Terror Squad - Baker Middle School - Team 1 Teamwork & FLL Values Award 2nd Place: Ocean Tech - Adams Middle School Robot Performance Award: Bionicle Gladiators - Ridgewood Middle School Special Judges Award - Outstanding Effort: St. George's Episcopal School Rookie Team Award: The Robocats - Linwood Middle School - Team 2

46. FIRST in Jefferson Parish 4 FLL; 1 FRC