Teams

How to Start a Team

FIRST LEGO League is a not-for-profit program that uses robots constructed of LEGO elements to excite and motivate children in science and technology. The program takes place over the course of 8 weeks and although not required, offers competitive tournaments at various locations across the U.S. All FLL teams and tournaments are volunteer-driven and focus on the 9 –14 age range for children. Following is a brief overview of how to begin organizing a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team. Additional information on the FLL program is available on the FLL web site at www.firstlegoleague.org.

Resource Requirements

Practice Space - Teams must have adequate space to build and test their robot. The official FLL playing field is 8’ X 4’ upon which LEGO pieces and various elements are arranged to re-create the Challenge. Set up can be as simple as clearing an area on the floor, or your team may opt to build the official FLL Table, or share a playing field with another team in their area. (for table instructions, or visit the FLL web site) Computer and Internet Access - Teams must have access to either a Mac or PC with an Internet connection. The computer is used to develop programs for the team’s robot. Programs are easily downloaded to the RCX (LEGO Programmable Brick) via an infrared transmitter and are provided to all Official FLL Teams. Internet access is required for maintaining contact with FLL for updates and notices throughout the Challenge season. The recommended browser for accessing the FLL web site is Internet Explorer. Time - 2 - 3 meetings per week at 2 hours per meeting, is the average amount of time spent by FLL teams during the season. There is no rule as to the amount of time that teams can spend preparing or practicing – it is up to the team how they regulate their time. Cost – Final prices are not posted until the opening of registration on May 1, 2003. New Teams should plan to invest anywhere from $300.00 up to $800.00 and returning teams should plan to invest anywhere from $150.00 up to $600.00.

Team Profile

FLL teams can be any group of children interested in participating. Some examples of team origins include:

• school classrooms
• after school programs
• extracurricular groups
• home schooled children
• neighborhood groups
• Girl Scouts
• Boy Scouts
• YMCA/YWCA
• other civic organizations

All children participating in the FLL program should be between the ages of nine and fourteen by September 30, 2003. There is a maximum of ten participants (children) allowed per team and at least one adult coach. Children should volunteer to participate on an FLL team through either a sign up sheet that has been approved by their parent, or through a group that is part of an organization. There are many different tasks to undertake during the 8 week season that are broken down into team member roles and responsibilities. These outlines are provided in the Official FLL Team Manual that is distributed to all official teams at the beginning of the season. The various areas that manage the team's time and talent include building, documentation, marketing, programming, quality control, research, strategic analysis and project management. To participate in the FLL program, all teams must register between May 1, 2003, and September 30, 2003. Registrations are accepted on-line at www.firstlegoleague.org. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis for the 3,250 spaces that are available for the 2003 season. Once your team has registered and payment of materials has been received, you will receive your official FLL Team number and Official FLL Team Manual.

Setting Expectations as a Coach

Teachers, parents, and technology professionals are all excellent choices for the role of the team coach. The Coach is the cornerstone of the team and must:

• Be eighteen years or older
• Enjoy working directly with children
• Possess excellent communication, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills
• Be willing to learn some of the basics of programming and building a robot
• Act as a facilitator throughout the 8-week program
• Act as point of contact for all communications regarding the team
• Retain parental permission forms
• Keep everyone (including parents) involved and aware of communications concerning the team throughout the season
• Encourage independent and creative thought in team participants
• Provide a positive and supportive environment for the team to meet
• Keep lines of communications open between all team participants
• Conduct themselves appropriately as a role model
• Clearly identify each team member’s role and responsibility
• Read FLL Coaches' Primer "Everything you need to Know …." by Syke Sweeney. An excellent resource written by an experienced mentor from the point of view of a rookie coach.
  www.fll-freak.com - check here for updates

The coach’s role is not necessarily to teach, but to inspire. Team members are responsible for all research, documentation, programming and building. The coach is provided with software, building instructions, and tutorials found in the Official FLL Team Manual to help facilitate their team’s activities and progress. Direct adult intervention during the 8 week Challenge season is discouraged. All FLL Team Coaches are strongly encouraged to read their Team Manual thoroughly to best prepare for the season.

Support Network

Organizing a support network is recommended before formalizing an FLL team. As the coach, you may find yourself in need of support for the team and welcoming the additional assistance. Parents and other mentors (Professionals, educators, college students, or high school participants of the FIRST Robotics Competition) are all potential resources for your support network. High school students make wonderful mentors resulting in a rewarding learning experience for both students. A team can also solicit an expert in the field relative to the current Challenge. Parental cooperation and support is invaluable to the team members. Parents can assist with transportation, snacks, fundraising, etc. The richest experience occurs when mentors (parents or volunteers), combine their specific skills under the coach’s direction to share their life experiences with the team  

Fundraising

Seeking out financial assistance for your team can begin on many different levels. Consider a presentation for an executive within a local company that explains the benefits of the FLL program and learning process. The team’s input is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the team and strengthen their presentation skills. If your team obtains donations or a team sponsor, always remember to have the team write a letter of thanks.

Some sponsorship suggestions include:

• Local companies or employees of a local business. Many businesses are excited to invest in FLL programs through sponsorship and/or mentors as part of their community relations. Businesses can also sponsor a FLL team in exchange for some form of recognition such as the company name on a t-shirt that is worn during events, or a special mention during public appearances.
• Grant opportunities, or programs for classrooms or special education, gifted and talented-based programs, or minority-focused programs. Contact your school or parent/teacher organization.
• If the team is part of a civic organization, i.e. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, etc, research available funds allocated to special programs from headquarters of the organization.
• Distribute the cost of materials evenly between the number of participants and coaches. Sending a note to the parents to collect money is also a good way to enlist their support.
• General fundraising can be done in a number of ways. Ideas for raising money include bake sales, community suppers, car washes, recycling programs, and 50/50 raffles. These efforts can take place well in advance of the active FLL season. Be creative!

The following are examples of creative fundraising events organized by FLL teams:

• "Hanging the Principal"- Dallastown School principal, George Jones, was taped to the cafeteria wall at the school in York, PA by the student council. Individual pieces of duct tape were sold to raise money. Students were allowed to donate their purchased piece of tape for the ‘hanging’ of their principal. The taping began at 7:20 AM with Jones standing on steps. At 8:00 PM they removed the steps and he was suspended against the wall, 3 feet above the floor level. The kids thought it was great and it was a terrific way to get the entire school community involved with the project.
• "Trash-a-Thon"- The Lego Lakers from South Lake Tahoe collected donations from the community and then spent a Saturday afternoon picking up garbage near the school. For additional support, they contacted the local refuse company for a donation of garbage bags. It was easy, profitable, and the children were recognized in the local paper as "environmental heroes.