FIRST LEGO League in Louisiana Solar Pups A.E. Philips, Ruston Power Raiders St. Dominic School, New Orleans 2008 Scot Marshall, Senior Mentor

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

FIRST is a Year-Round Activity Register & Robots 2008 Build Cycle CHAMPIONSHIP 4W A Basics Kit Build 12W A FIRST Robotics Competition HS Robotics Class ? 6W 5W FIRST Tech Challenge ? ? May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

16 FIRST Parishes in Louisiana Ascension Caddo E. Baton Rouge E. Feliciana Jefferson Lincoln Orleans Ouchita Plaquemines St. Bernard St. Charles St. James St. Tammany Tangipahoa Terrebonne Washington 1 1 4 2 1 4 2 9 11 7 1 4 6 1 7 6 2007 Inception 2008

J. D. Meisler Middle School 2008 Competition Host December 6, 2008 J. D. Meisler Middle School Metairie, LA Building a Global Game Plan  Whether the climate be cold, or whether the climate be hot The climate is different all over.  What is it like in your spot? Discover the links between science, people, resources and communities. Unearth how we learn about past climates and delve into questions surrounding our current and future climatic conditions. Create a global game plan as they make these Climate Connections?

The NXT Generation

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, 7 minutes to solve a new task as a team, 2 minutes questions (no mentor)

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

There’s a FIRST for Every Student: An Educator’s Perspective It is the ultimate in hands-on learning for all students - gifted, honors, regular, and children with special needs  FIRST promotes excitement for core academics in math and science that few other activities do for all students.  More student interest in robotics and engineering electives is a natural extension of the competition. The layers of mentoring provide incredible synergy FLL is an international competition that is supported locally by public & private schools, universities, nonprofits and industry The competition requires students apply STEM principles: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math plus computer programming.  $35 per student + $350 one-time robot & table investment

Building a Team Mentors Team Dynamics & Work Groups 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 (Needs Improvement, Fair, Good, Excellent) Robot Design, Project, Teamwork & FLL Values Guidance, Structure, Encouragement, Fun 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."

The Complete FIRST Participant 2005 Champion St. Dominic Sea Dragons 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!

Sample Task Assignments 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

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 (on competition day) (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.

At the End of the Season… 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 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

2008 Important Dates May 1   Registration Opens  Mid-May    Registration Materials and Robot Sets Begin to Ship  August   Field Setup Kits Begin to Ship  August  New Team Training and Workshops - University of New Orleans  September 5  Noon EDT  International Challenge Release  September 13 10:00 AM - 12:00 N  Louisiana 2008 Climate Connections Workshop - Kickoff for Mentors, Teachers, and Students University of New Orleans Playing Field Analysis, Scoring and Strategy, Research Sources and Tips, Q & A  September 27 8:30 AM - 12:00 N  Louisiana 2008 Climate Connections 2008 Workshop - General for Mentors, Teachers, and Students Tulane University Judging, Rules, Missions, Q & A, NXT Programming Sensor Calibration   October 18 9:00 AM - 12:00 N Louisiana 2008 Climate Connection Workshop - Programming  for Mentors, Teachers, and Students Tulane University NXT Programming, Sensor Calibration Mid-to-late-September Team Registration Closes at 7600 teams in North America October 1-12 Tournament Applications Accepted December 6 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Louisiana Championship Tournament (MAXIMUM 36 Teams) J. D. Meisler Middle School, Metairie, LA April 2009 Louisiana winning team is eligible for: FLL World Festival - Georgia Dome - Atlanta, Georgia

A Perfect Score

Additional Information 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 Barbara Pailet BLaST Chairman BHPFED@AOL.com

Why Should I Mentor? You Make The Impossible Very Possible 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! You Make The Impossible Very Possible The Students Need Your Experience The Faculty Advisor Needs Your Expertise The Robot Needs Your Brain

Morning Judging

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 International 35,000 kids; 3,500 teams, 38 countries 130 Qualifying events 38 Championship tournaments                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

FLL Challenge History 1998 Pilot 2000 Volcanic Panic 2003 Mission Mars Teams 1.600 kids 2 Pilot tournaments FIRST and LEGO Company pilots the FIRST LEGO League concept. 2000 Volcanic Panic Teams 15.000 kids 50 tournaments in the USA FLL International Pilot Tournament in Norway hosted by FIRST Scandinavia. 2003 Mission Mars Teams 5,000 teams 42,000 kids 200 tournaments China, Brazil and South Korea joins FLL International with a Pilot tournaments. 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. 1999 FIRST Contact Teams 9.500 kids 9 tournaments in the USA Official launch of the FIRST LEGO League program in the USA. 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. 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. 2005 Ocean Odyssey Teams 7,460 teams 60,000 kids worldwide 56 tournaments (US) 12 tournaments (outside US & Canada)                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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

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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The FIRST 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

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

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

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

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: FIRST LEGO League Bayou Regional FIRST Robotics Competition 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

FIRST Things Sport for the Mind: 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 $9M 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

FIRST on the Southshore 6 FRC; 7 FLL

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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

30 Teams Competed in 2006 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

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

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

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

FIRST in Jefferson Parish 4 FLL; 1 FRC