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

2. There’s a FIRST for Every Age
Junior
FIRST LEGO League
(2004 Pilot)
FIRST LEGO League
(1998)
FIRST Robotics Competition (1992)
K Grade
Age

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. The NXT Generation

7. 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 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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."

11. 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
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!

12. 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

13. 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 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. A Perfect Score

17. Additional Information
Scot Marshall
Louisiana FLL Technical Coordinator
Curtis Craig
Louisiana FRC Technical Coordinator
Barbara Pailet
BLaST Chairman

18. 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

19. Morning Judging

20. 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
       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

21. 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
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)
       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

22. 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

23. 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.
       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. FIRST on the Southshore 6 FRC; 7 FLL

31. 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
       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. FIRST in Jefferson Parish 4 FLL; 1 FRC