FIRST LEGO League
by Christine N.
Creating a world where science and technology are celebrated.
The partnership between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the LEGO Group has created a powerful program that helps young people discover the fun in science and technology while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills.
First Lego League Teams:
Investigate, strategize, design, build, program and test robots to complete missions related to this year’s theme,. In early September the details of the challenge are announced. About 10,000 teams from all over the world will find out exactly what their robot will need to do this year.
Each team builds a robot using LEGO Mindstorms to compete on a tournament table. The robot has to complete missions worth different points within 2.5 minutes. Teams spend a lot of time thinking about which missions are easiest, and which one will get them the most points in a short amount of time.
On competition day, the kids love watching the robots designed by other teams and finding out how they solved the challenges.
As part of the competition, the teams have to prepare and present a research project related to the theme. They can search the web, talk to scientists, visit the library and develop compelling research presentations which relate to a problem or opportunity facing the world today. Teams often go on interesting field trips as part of the research project.
Most teams create amusing skits for their research presentations. They often have interesting costumes and unique props. The focus is on fun, but there’s lot of good science too.
At the regional tournament, teams compete with in high energy, sports-like tournament. They get three tries to see how many points their robot can score, go through a technical interview to answer questions about their robot, take part in a team work interview, and present their research project, which is often a skit.
It’s amazing how much they pack into a few short hours. Tournament day an exciting, nervous time. Some kids find it challenging to talk with the judges during the technical interview, while others are nervous about their lines for the presentation. They are all learning lots of new skills, and by the end of the day, it’s the fun they remember.
At the end of the day, each team is recognized for their participation. A few teams receive awards for being the top team in a specific category, or the best overall.
The top teams at three regional tournaments held around BC get an invitation to compete in the BC provincial tournament that is held in Vancouver in early January.
2009 Challenge - Smart Moves
Can FLL teams transform the way we look at transportation?
The key to the 2009 “Smart Move” Challenge is accessing people, places, goods and services in the safest, most efficient way possible. In this journey, teams will consider many modes of transportation beyond their daily routine and streamline their options by making smart moves!
Costs
Teams pay a registration fee, tournament fee, and purchase the missions for the tournament table. There are some additional costs like team t-shirts or props for the research presentation skit. The cost for a 2nd or 3rd year team averages $500. A new team needs a LEGO Mindstorms kit and additional LEGO. The FLL set costs about $500 with shipping and taxes.
Some teams find a sponsor to help with the costs. Other teams have a club bank account that allows them to pay their fees using the learning investment if they are enrolled with a distance education program. Other teams just split the fees between the team members.
Unfortunately, local teams don’t always have space for additional members. But you can get together a group of kids and start a new team! All teams have a rookie year when everything is new for both the kids and the coaches (often their parents!). The year we started, I knew nothing about building and programming robots. That meant the kids really did have to do it themselves!
FLL Season
May - August
pre-season activities like robotics clubs, workshops, summer camps, forming teams
September 3, 2009
2009 Smart Moves Challenge details released
Late November
Victoria Regional FLL Tournament
Early January 2010
BC Provincial FLL Tournament held in Vancouver
April
World Festival in Atlanta
What do the kids say about FIRST LEGO League?
“ I like designing the robot and attachments for the different missions and trying them out and if they don't work, build, build, build again! Yay, it's lots of fun! ”
“ I like the field trips where we get to see state-of-the-art research. Last year we visited a fuel cell lab and saw a new design for a wave energy converter. ”
“ When you are planning the research project, you are only limited by your imagination. Often we have fun dreaming up creative skits that involve lots of acting. ”
“ What I like about FLL is that you can build SERIOUS robots that you use in competition and you can build FUN robots like a golfing robot or a robot that throws broccoli! The really neat part is that you can design the robot yourself or with your team (not with an instruction booklet). ”
“ When you are programming robots you can make the robot do anything you want it to, with a bit of practice! ”
“ Running the robots requires multiple skills; speed to change attachments, accuracy in positioning and running the robot, and split second decision making for changes on missions. ”
Find out more here.
Or check out local team website here.
As a FIRST LEGO League coach, I’ve been amazed at what the kids are able to do. Things that seemed impossible a few weeks before, suddenly look easy by tournament day. The kids gain a lot of self-confidence from working as part of team and really be challenged to do their best.
If you have questions about FIRST LEGO League, please send me an email at Christine(at)creativekidsathome(dot)com
by Christine N.
Creating a world where science and technology are celebrated.
The partnership between FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and the LEGO Group has created a powerful program that helps young people discover the fun in science and technology while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills.
First Lego League Teams:
Investigate, strategize, design, build, program and test robots to complete missions related to this year’s theme,. In early September the details of the challenge are announced. About 10,000 teams from all over the world will find out exactly what their robot will need to do this year.
Each team builds a robot using LEGO Mindstorms to compete on a tournament table. The robot has to complete missions worth different points within 2.5 minutes. Teams spend a lot of time thinking about which missions are easiest, and which one will get them the most points in a short amount of time.
On competition day, the kids love watching the robots designed by other teams and finding out how they solved the challenges.
As part of the competition, the teams have to prepare and present a research project related to the theme. They can search the web, talk to scientists, visit the library and develop compelling research presentations which relate to a problem or opportunity facing the world today. Teams often go on interesting field trips as part of the research project.
Most teams create amusing skits for their research presentations. They often have interesting costumes and unique props. The focus is on fun, but there’s lot of good science too.
At the regional tournament, teams compete with in high energy, sports-like tournament. They get three tries to see how many points their robot can score, go through a technical interview to answer questions about their robot, take part in a team work interview, and present their research project, which is often a skit.
It’s amazing how much they pack into a few short hours. Tournament day an exciting, nervous time. Some kids find it challenging to talk with the judges during the technical interview, while others are nervous about their lines for the presentation. They are all learning lots of new skills, and by the end of the day, it’s the fun they remember.
At the end of the day, each team is recognized for their participation. A few teams receive awards for being the top team in a specific category, or the best overall.
The top teams at three regional tournaments held around BC get an invitation to compete in the BC provincial tournament that is held in Vancouver in early January.
2009 Challenge - Smart Moves
Can FLL teams transform the way we look at transportation?
The key to the 2009 “Smart Move” Challenge is accessing people, places, goods and services in the safest, most efficient way possible. In this journey, teams will consider many modes of transportation beyond their daily routine and streamline their options by making smart moves!
Costs
Teams pay a registration fee, tournament fee, and purchase the missions for the tournament table. There are some additional costs like team t-shirts or props for the research presentation skit. The cost for a 2nd or 3rd year team averages $500. A new team needs a LEGO Mindstorms kit and additional LEGO. The FLL set costs about $500 with shipping and taxes.
Some teams find a sponsor to help with the costs. Other teams have a club bank account that allows them to pay their fees using the learning investment if they are enrolled with a distance education program. Other teams just split the fees between the team members.
Unfortunately, local teams don’t always have space for additional members. But you can get together a group of kids and start a new team! All teams have a rookie year when everything is new for both the kids and the coaches (often their parents!). The year we started, I knew nothing about building and programming robots. That meant the kids really did have to do it themselves!
FLL Season
May - August
pre-season activities like robotics clubs, workshops, summer camps, forming teams
September 3, 2009
2009 Smart Moves Challenge details released
Late November
Victoria Regional FLL Tournament
Early January 2010
BC Provincial FLL Tournament held in Vancouver
April
World Festival in Atlanta
What do the kids say about FIRST LEGO League?
“ I like designing the robot and attachments for the different missions and trying them out and if they don't work, build, build, build again! Yay, it's lots of fun! ”
“ I like the field trips where we get to see state-of-the-art research. Last year we visited a fuel cell lab and saw a new design for a wave energy converter. ”
“ When you are planning the research project, you are only limited by your imagination. Often we have fun dreaming up creative skits that involve lots of acting. ”
“ What I like about FLL is that you can build SERIOUS robots that you use in competition and you can build FUN robots like a golfing robot or a robot that throws broccoli! The really neat part is that you can design the robot yourself or with your team (not with an instruction booklet). ”
“ When you are programming robots you can make the robot do anything you want it to, with a bit of practice! ”
“ Running the robots requires multiple skills; speed to change attachments, accuracy in positioning and running the robot, and split second decision making for changes on missions. ”
Find out more here.
Or check out local team website here.
As a FIRST LEGO League coach, I’ve been amazed at what the kids are able to do. Things that seemed impossible a few weeks before, suddenly look easy by tournament day. The kids gain a lot of self-confidence from working as part of team and really be challenged to do their best.
If you have questions about FIRST LEGO League, please send me an email at Christine(at)creativekidsathome(dot)com