2013 Season Overview

Introductions Katra Knoernschild Karl Knoernschild Casey O’Connell Team Coordinator Karl Knoernschild Technical Lead Casey O’Connell Administration Representative

FLL Coaches Teacher Mentor Binary Bots Digistorm Donna Bornemann Chris Abele Dawn Krapez Digistorm Christine Pietrowiak Michael Zeno

Jr.FLL Coaches Teacher Mentor Churchill Champions (2nd-3rd Grade) Jarod Struck Churchill Champions (2nd-3rd Grade) Nathan Bramstadt Jamil Nichols Mighty Mustangs (1st-2nd Grade) Karl Knoernschild Paul Peake

Child Safety Child safety is paramount to all of us involved with young people. Due to the age of FLL team members, the coach and the other adults on the team are responsible for the safety of the children on the team while they are in their care. Coaches, parents, and guardians are essential to team and child safety. Adults need to educate the team members and one another on how to recognize situations that may put a child at risk, and take measures to ensure that adults who work with their teams are reliable. In addition to FLL team meetings, team members will have contact with adult volunteers at events. For events, it is essential that teams be educated about basic safety practices. For example, they should stay with their team (or at least in pairs) at all times, and tell team leaders when they are leaving the group (e.g., bathroom breaks). Also, they should not leave the venue except with the permission of their coach or mentor and of the parent who is taking care of them. Without question, coach and parental supervision and vigilance are essential safety practices for FLL team members.

What is FIRST? Foundation for the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Founded by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Started in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology

FIRST Programs 1992 High School 14 - 18 yrs 2005 FIRST Robotics Competition 1992 High School 14 - 18 yrs FIRST Tech Challenge 2005 Middle and High School 11 - 18 yrs FIRST LEGO® League 1998 Elementary and Middle School 9 - 14 yrs FIRST Junior LEGO® League 2006 Elementary School 6 - 9 yrs (K - 2nd grade)

Core Values We are a team. We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors. We know our coaches and mentors don't have all the answers; we learn together. 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® and Coopertition® in everything we do. We have FUN!

Gracious Professionalism Term coined by Dr. Woodie Flowers, FIRST National Advisor and Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Encourages high-quality work. Emphasizes the value of others. Respects individuals and the community. Avoid treating anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.

Coopertition Displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete. Learning from teammates and mentors Teaching teammates Managing and being managed

What is FIRST LEGO League? A robotics program for 9 to 14 year olds Get children excited about science and technology Teach valuable employment and life skills. Projects are based on the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Robot “brain”

FIRST LEGO League Activities 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 Complete the Yearly Challenge

FLL Yearly Challenge Each year a new challenge is presented 2013: “Nature’s Fury” 2012: “Senior Solutions” 2011: “Food Factor” Children do the work of the Yearly Challenge. Coaches are only there for guidance. The challenge consists of two parts: The Robot Game: Program an autonomous robot to score points on a thematic playing surface The Project: Research a real-world problem and create an innovative solution

2013 FLL Challenge Challenge details released August 27 Explore the awe-inspiring storms, quakes, waves and more that we call natural disasters. Teams will discover what can be done when intense natural events meet the places people live, work, and play. Coaches’ Handbook outlines 8 week session Not necessary to complete all missions – new teams should pick one mission close to base to start with

Green City Challenge Side activity similar to Yearly Challenge, but not part of tournament 45+ hours of activities Includes valuable training activities Should be used as a primer for first few FLL team meetings before attempting the Yearly Challenge Not necessary to complete

Other FLL activities Fundraising Creating a team identity Field trips Logo T-Shirts Posters Field trips Qualifying Tournaments (December) State Championship Tournaments National Competition and World Festival (April)

FLL Supplies LEGO EV3 Core Set LEGO EV3 Expansion Set FIRST Green Challenge Kit FIRST 2013 Yearly Challenge Kit Game Table For use at team meetings only - tables are provided at tournaments

FLL Team Meeting Ideas Play a game to learn team member names Code of Conduct Written by kids Weekly Teambuilding Exercises Judges look at how team members interact and work together Assign team members to tasks Robot design Coding Challenge rules Graphic design Schedule goals with measurable outcomes

2013 FLL Goals Train all team members in the use and programming of the EV3 Complete at least one mission for the 2013 Nature’s Fury Challenge Compete in one Illinois Qualifying Tournament Mount Prospect (December 7) Rockford (December 14) Batavia (December 21)

What is Jr. FIRST LEGO League? A program for 6 to 9 year olds Designed to capture young children’s inherent curiosity and direct it toward discovering the possibilities of improving the world around them Projects are electronic & mechanical but do not use the EV3 robot “brain” Older kids (Churchill Champions) will use the WeDo set, which is computer controlled

Jr. FIRST LEGO League Activities Design and build challenge solutions using LEGO elements Apply real-world math and science concepts Research challenges facing today’s scientists Learn team building and presentation skills Develop Show Me poster

Jr.FLL Yearly Challenge A new Challenge every year relating to an important real world issue. Two defined parts The Show Me Poster The Model. Show Me Poster and Model are presented at an expo Jr.FLL teams do not compete like FLL teams do.

The Show Me Poster A flat poster board or tri-fold presentation board. Use words, drawings, photos, and small objects to tell about what they have learned during their Challenge research. Show where they hunted for answers and describe the people they spoke with on their journey. Describe their Model and simple machine. Tell about the team itself.

The Model Create a Model made of LEGO parts that fits within a 15” x 15” footprint. Typically, a team of six will use 400 to 1,000 LEGO parts during the season. Must have at least one motorized moveable piece on the Model. Design a simple machine using LEGO ramps, levers, pulleys, gears, wheels and axles, screws, or wedges and incorporates this into their model. 

2013 Jr.FLL Challenge Explore the awe-inspiring storms, quakes, waves and more that we call natural disasters. Teams will learn how science, technology, engineering, and math impact our everyday lives while they get excited about future innovations.

Churchill Champions Supplies Jr.FLL Robotics Kit LEGO Education WeDo (9580) Software CD Instruction booklets for 12 models WeDo Teacher’s Guide (736508) 15” Square Building Plate LEGO bin (shared with Mighty Mustangs) BuildToExpress Kits (1 per child) Jr.FLL Guide to Building and More Team Binder Team Folder (1 per child) Art supply pencil case

Mighty Mustangs Supplies Jr.FLL Base Kit (2) LEGO Education 9689 sets (2) sets of instruction booklets for 4 models 15” Square Building Plate LEGO bin (shared with Churchill Champions) BuildToExpress Kits (1 per child) Jr.FLL Guide to Building and More Team Binder Team Folder (1 per child) Art supply pencil case

Jr.FLL Team Meeting Ideas Play a game to learn team member names Code of Conduct Written by kids Weekly Teambuilding Exercises BuildToExpress outlines some exercises – see back of Junior FIRST LEGO League Guide to Building and More Schedule goals with measurable outcomes

churchillfirst.org Website A central repository of all information related to the Churchill FIRST LEGO League Club Team Information Sponsors and Fundraisers Event Calendar Team photos and progress updates Coaches may add blog posts including photos, team progress, competition results, etc. Each parent and coach has a login ID Any identifiable information about children (photos, names) may be restricted to logged in users only

Coach Advice Don’t build the robot, don’t program it, the kids need to do this and they can Don’t finish the challenge for them, but you can build examples, and teach them example programs. If students ask for help, you can guide them and explain how they may get to a solution but they need to find the solution themselves Take advantage of team parents wherever possible. Field trips, specialized knowledge, sponsorship, etc.

Coach Resources Coach Resources Page Website Editing Instructions churchillfirst.org/coach (must be logged in) Website Editing Instructions churchillfirst.org/instructions (must be logged in) FLL Coaches’ Handbook (1 per team) Also available online – see Coach Resources Page FLL 2013 Compilation DVD (1 per team) FLL “The Project” DVD (1 per team) EV3 Instructions (LEGO 45544) (1 per team) Nature’s Fury Teacher’s Guide (shared) Information Packet (1 per coach)