1. Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program I. Introductory Workshop for ORTOP’s FLL Program 2007 Opening doors to the worlds of science and technology for Oregon’s youth

2. Instructor Contacts Ken Cone ken_cone@ous.edu503-725-2918 Roger Swanson swanson@hevanet.com503-297-1824 Jim Ryan james.r.ryan@intel.com971-215-6087 Scott Stanko scott.stanko@intel.com (971) 215-9677

3. Today’s Goal Provide an understanding of the ORTOP and FLL programs Show the value these programs bring to our youth Demonstrate the fun and excitement by building and programming a LEGO robot Explain the opportunities for your involvement

4. Agenda Introductions Our motivations The ORTOP and FLL Programs Build a Lego robot and try it out More on FLL Teams Simple programming of your robot Along the way: A complete NanoQuest field set-up kit, a Lego NXT Robot Demo, and a video of a previous tournament

5. The Problem Fast growing demand for engineers, technicians, and other technologists Slow growing supply of young people interested in technology, especially among women and minorities

6. A Response from ETIC ETIC – Engineering and Technology Industry Council Bruce Schafer is the Executive Director Established in 1997 by the Oregon Legislature Mission – Make post-secondary engineering and technology education a strategic resource that fuels the Oregon economy and creates opportunity for all Oregonians ETIC's current goal – double the annual number of engineering and computer science graduates between 1999 and 2013.

7. The Root Causes Technology perceived as hard -- only for “geniuses” Media portrays Technologists as “nerds” Poor communication skills Overly serious/isolated Young people know very little about technical careers Few/No engineering courses in K-12 Few/No role models available The reality is hard for them to visualize

8. The Reality Teamwork rather than isolation is mandatory for success We work on important, real-world problems to produce: Consumer products Biomedical solutions Buildings & bridges “Energy Sources - Meeting the Global Demand” is the theme for 2007 Great potential for salaries/benefits

9. The Opportunity with FIRST Programs from FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) JFLL (Junior FIRST Lego League) 6-9 year-olds – initial ORTOP pilot in 2006 FLL (FIRST LEGO League) 9-14 year olds – started by ORTOP in 2001 FVC (FIRST Vex Challenge) for high school students – initial ORTOP pilot in 2006 FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) for high school students – not an ORTOP program but active in Oregon "To create a world where science and technology are celebrated.. where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes"

10. FIRST Philosophy ”[We] share the philosophy that children learn best by doing hands-on, minds-on activities which challenge their intellect and creativity. The FLL program accomplishes this task in a healthy environment and shows kids that they can succeed where they may have never thought they could." Dean Kamen, FIRST Founder

11. The Opportunity -- FLL FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Targets 9-14 year olds Uses relatively inexpensive Lego robotics kits Defines a mini engineering project based on real-world problems Features hands-on experience and multi- disciplinary teamwork Show these youth that science and technology can be fun

12. ORTOP (Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program) Runs the FLL (as well as JFLL and VRC) program in Oregon and southwest Washington Connected to the Chancellor’s Office of the Oregon University System Heavily volunteer based Opening doors to the worlds of science and technology for Oregon’s youth

13. Additional ORTOP Outreach Reach out to girls and minorities Look for partners that can help: Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, 4H, etc. Special outreach to schools and community organizations with the demographics that fit our focus Scholarship program so cost does not limit participation Every team that registers gets to participate in a tournament Success for a team is working together through the season and showcasing their results in a tournament SUCCESS = PARTICIPATION

14. Build a Robot Let’s take a break from all this talking and get out the LEGO kits to have some fun building an NXT robot!

15. Before We Start The NXT Outputs(A,B,C) Inputs (1,2,3,4) Buttons (Enter, Back, Left, Right) USB port Motors Sensors Touch sensor, light sensor, ultrasonic sensor

16. Build the Sample Robot Follow pages 8-22 in the booklet in your kit Add a light sensor on pages 32-34 Add a touch sensor on pages 40-44 If you have time, go back in the booklet and input directly into the NXT the programs on pages 23, 35, and 45.

17. What Is an FLL Team? 4-10 youngsters each Ages 9-14 Led by coach and mentor Coach – adult with overall responsibility for the team Mentor – technical expertise Sources of teams Schools Community groups Neighborhoods

18. The FLL Team Experience Miniature engineering project team stressing Creativity and teamwork Engineering principles: requirements, alternatives, rapid prototyping, testing, … Hands-on problem solving Context is a real-world situation Illustrates multiple roles: Designers, Builders, Programmers, Sales and Marketing Insights into possible careers The youngsters do the work – FLL Coaches’ Honor Code and Team Promise

19. FLL Team Costs Start-up Costs MINDSTORMS NXT Kit: $325 Materials for table: $50-$100 Yearly Costs National Registration Fee: $200 State Registration Fee: $50 Field Setup Kit: $65 Misc. including batteries, shipping: $50-$100 First-year total: $740-$840 Subsequent years total: $365-$415

20. The Team Timeline Teams form in April – September Registration with FLL is May – September ORTOP workshops June – September The Challenge is released September 9 Teams develop their solutions for ~3 mo. The real learning in the program Robot design, programming, and presentation Culminating event is the Tournament Qualifying tournaments in early December Championship tournaments in January

21. Tournament Structure Less focus on competition and more on showcasing the team’s learning and results Qualifying Tournaments Around 15-20 teams each Organized by Qualifying Tournament volunteers with support from ORTOP 21 in 2006: Vancouver, Bend, Roseburg, Eugene, LaGrande, Corvallis, K-Falls, PDX Metro area 11 Championship Tournaments 75 teams at Liberty High School in Hillsboro in 2006 2007 plan: TWO State Tournaments back to back

22. Tournaments Exhibit Students’ Achievements At least two opportunities to demonstrate robot on the Challenge playing field Interaction with Technical Judging Panel Presentation to Presentation Judging Panel General presentation area specified by FLL to enhance learning about the year’s theme Requires research by the team Develops presentation skills (the opportunity for the developing sales and marketing youngsters) Teamwork

23. Tournament Awards Director’s Award Robot Performance Robot Design Innovative Design Robot Consistency Programming Project Presentation Research Quality Innovative Solution Creative Presentation Teamwork Young Team Rookie Team Medallions for all teams

24. Plans for 2007 Theme: PowerPuzzle -- “Energy Sources - Meeting the Global Demand” ~400 teams with more than 2800 youngsters 25 Qualifying Tournaments averaging 20 teams Looking for 4 new ones 1-2 in Portland, 1 in Salem, and 1 in ?? 2 Championship Tournaments of 60-80 teams each Continued focus on outreach to girls & minorities More sponsors

25. Volunteer Opportunities Coaches Mentors ORTOP Planning Committee Local Tournament Planning Tournament Staffing Financial Support

26. NXT Programming Let’s get back to our robots and learn how to make them do something!

27. Our Mailing Lists Totally voluntary, and you can opt out ortopvol All volunteers One way from ORTOP to our volunteers We add you when you volunteer ortopcm Coaches and mentors Communication among that group and with ORTOP We add you when you complete a workshop

28. Next Steps Sign-up for another workshop II. Coaching/Mentoring Techniques Workshop III. Robotics Techniques Workshop http://www.ortop.org/res.htm#REG Handout ESCO – “Robotics Mentorships as a Developmental Career Opportunity”

29. Contact Us Web site: http://www.ortop.org Email: questions@ortop.org Phone: 503-725-2920