First LEGO League is a Competitive Class
Joining the First LEGO League requires a large commitment in time and energy, and each member is expected to contribute to all facets of the season. This includes the Robot Game, Project, and building and displaying the FLL Core Values.
If you do not have this level of commitment, we suggest you take the Afterschool Enrichment called MS Robotics. This Enrichment will develop the skills needed to join the First Lego League competition teams in the future. This class will do some of the activities done by First Lego League teams but will not be a competition team.
Learn more at this link.
What is the FIRST LEGO League?
The text below is how FIRST describes it.
“FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children ages 4-16* through fun, exciting hands-on learning. FIRST LEGO League participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program, helping today’s students and teachers build a better future together. In FIRST LEGO League, students engage in hands-on STEM experiences, building confidence, growing their knowledge, and developing learning habits.”
At the Middle School, we do the FLL Challenge. Learn more at this link.
What is the FIRST LEGO League?
FIRST LEGO League Challenge – Grades 4-8:
Friendly competition is at the heart of the Challenge, as teams of students ages 9-16* engage in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering. They build and program a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game. As part of the Challenge, teams also participate in a research project to identify and solve a relevant real-world problem.
The Middle School FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Teams form each August. For the FLL Teams to be successful, parents and their children must commit to supporting a team of up to five students over the course of five to six months.
FLL is a robotics program that introduces young people to the fun and excitement of science and technology. Teams can comprise up to ten children, although the DA size is 4 to 5 members. FLL teams have adult coaches, but coaches do not need any technical experience.
In FLL, the children do the work — like programming an autonomous robot using a LEGO® SPIKE ™ Prime robot set to score points on a thematic playing surface and create innovative solutions to a problem while guided by the FLL Core Values. These three elements — the Robot Game, Project, and FLL Core Values — make up the yearly “Challenge.” Teams will also talk to experts in the fields of study related to the yearly challenge.
We need at least two parents to serve as coaches (one coach supervises robots, and one coach supervises projects) and two parents to serve as team supporters per team to have teams. Without parental support, this enrichment is not possible.
Teams work toward an official FLL qualifying tournament(s), typically held in November on the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays and the 1st Saturday in December. In addition, The Bull City Scrimmage is usually the 3rd Saturday in October and is a great experience that all teams are recommended to attend.
All team members and parents should block out these days as members will be expected to attend the scrimmage and one qualifier based on the location of the tournament and team choice. Not all teams need to attend the same qualifier, although it is encouraged.
Qualifying teams advance to the Regional tournament on the 2nd Saturday in December. Teams could advance to a state tournament on the 2nd Saturday in January!
Team Requirement Highlights:
General – Team members must make all decisions and do all the work on the Robot Game and Innovative Project. This includes deciding on strategy, building, programming, researching, choosing a problem and innovative project, and presenting at a tournament.
Size – DA Teams have a cap of 5 members. Team Members – Students must be between the ages of 9 – 14.
Coaches – An FLL team must have at least two (2) screened Lead Coaches. 1 coach supervises robots, and the other coach supervises projects.
Team Supporter – Teams can benefit from having adults present to help them but not be the actual team coaches. If you agree to be a team supporter, you will be matched with your child’s team. This role requires the least time commitment, as the supporters can coordinate the days they will be available with the team’s coaches.
Learn more about these roles at the new FIRST training site to learn what those roles require. https://www.firstinspires.org/mentoring-and-coaching/story.html
Meetings – Team practices will occur each Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 – 5:00 when DA is in session. Meetings will be held in the Middle School STEAM Design Studio. All meetings must be held at the Middle School.
Sunday practice sessions are available between 12:00 and 3:00. A DA Faculty member must be present on Sunday. Coaches and Team Supporters determine the time frame for Sunday sessions.
Critical Details and Information:
- Parents and their children commit to a team of up to five students over the course of five to six months, from August to February*.
- Students must be between the ages of 9 – 14
- On each team, two parents serve as coaches (one coach supervises robots, and one coach supervises projects)
- Two other parents serve as team supporters.
- Without parental support, this enrichment is not possible.
- In the past, we have fielded up to 4 teams with 8 students per team. This was very suboptimal.
- We have Spike Prime kits with many spare parts organized in portable storage containers.
- We have 3 competition boards for practicing robot missions.
- The DA Computer Science Department has purchased all supplies needed, which will continue to support the FLL program.
- Mr. Karl Schaefer has managed the FLL program for over five years and will assist the teams with registration, purchases, and overall coordination of practices and teams.
- Donovan Polk and Michelle Preslik assist with running and managing the teams.