FLL Update: FLL – World Festival, Flip, Wouldn’t It Be Cool If…, 2014 Challenge, Jr.FLL Video, Florida Open

Posted on May 4, 2012 by tmw2010

–> We had FUN at FLL World Festival!

It was wonderful to meet the teams, hear about their research, see Core Values™ in action and watch robots conquer the missions on the game table. Our program could not exist without your energy! Thanks for making our 2012 event so successful!

–> Flip for World Festival

Flip the FLL Robot volunteered at World Festival this year. Read about his impressions of the event and St. Louis on the FLL blog: http://fllblog.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/flip-volunteers-at-world-festival/

 –> Wouldn’t It Be Cool If…

Congrats to Team Bronx Task Force, finalist in the invention ideas competition Wouldn’t It Be Cool If… from Time Warner Cable’s Connect a Million Minds and i.am FIRST, founded by musician will.i.am. The team’s invention is a coffee filter with multivitamins inside of it. When the coffee is brewed it is infused with the vitamins we need every day. The team was invited to St. Louis during the FIRST(R) Championship to present their idea to a panel of judges, including Dean Kamen andwill.i.am.

 –> 2014 FLL Challenge – what should it be?

What do you think FLL teams around the world should learn about in 2014?  Let us know by submitting your idea here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014FLLTheme.  Anyone may submit an idea, so please ask your team members and anyone who works with your team to submit today!

 –> What is Jr.FLL? 

We are pleased to present a brand new video on the Jr.FLL YouTube channel called “What is Jr.FLL?”,http://www.youtube.com/jrfllglobal.  Use this piece to encourage the “youngest scientists” to get involved in FIRST!

–> Going Strong in Florida

The 2012 Florida Invitational Open is being held this weekend, May 3rd - 6th.
Robot Game scores - http://www.blindpirate.net/Page8.html
Awards ceremony LIVE May 6th 9:15 am ET – Watch on http://fllnation.com

*THIS EMAIL IS FROM FIRST LEGO LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS. BE SURE TO WATCH FOR EMAILS FROM YOUR LOCAL PARTNER.*

With High 5’s and Admiration,
FLL Team Support
Stay Connected with FLL!
Twitter (@firstlegoleague)| YouTube (youtube.com/fllglobal)|FLL Blog (fllblog.wordpress.com)

FIRST(R) LEGO(R) League (http://firstlegoleague.org) | fllteams@usfirst.org | +1 603-666-3906 x0, +1 800-871-8326 x0 | FIRST(R) (http://usfirst.org) - 200 Bedford Street – Manchester NH USA 03101

Filed under: FIRST events, FIRST in Florida, FIRST in the News, FIRST Resources, FLL, Jr. FLL | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Florida FIRST in St. Louis!

Posted on April 17, 2012 by tmw2010

Florida is heading to the FIRST Championship in St. Louis, MO next week with a huge contingent of teams this  year.  The FIRST Championship April 25-28 is the culmination of the season’s FIRST programs, bringing together three separate robotics competitions for the ultimate Sport for the Mind. The event includes the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship, and the FIRST LEGO League World Festival, and the Junior FIRST LEGO League World Festival Expo.

World Bound this year – 16 FRC Teams! 

79 – Team Krunch from Tampa (Regional Chairman’s Award at South Florida)
86 – Team Resistance from Jacksonville
168 - MIB from North Miami Beach
180 – SPAM from Stuart
233 – The Pink Team from Cocoa Beach (Regional Chairman’s Award at Orlando)
744 – Shark Attack from Ft Lauderdale
801 – Horsepower from Merritt Island
1592-  Bionic Tigers from Cocoa
1649 – EMS from Windermere
1875 – Purple Haze from Cocoa
1902 – Exploding Bacon from Winter Park
2757 - B.A.D. from Longwood
3410 – Moto Robo from Miami
3627 – Jungle Robotics from Sarasota
4013- Clockwork Mania from Orlando (Orlando Rookie All Star)
4379 – Greased Lightning from Weston (South Florida Rookie All Star)
and Three FTC Teams -
2845 – Team Duct Tape from Odessa
4997 – Masquerade from Tampa
5454 – dent in the universe from Orlando
 While Florida didn’t receive an invitation to the FLL World Festival this year, a couple of Florida Jr. FLL teams were invited to the Snack Attack Expo.
Keep your eye on the FIRST website at http://www.usfirst.org to catch livestreaming of your favorite FIRST teams next week!  And Championship-bound teams – keep your eyes on your inbox for important updates from FIRST about the Championship!
Go Teams!

Filed under: FIRST Championship, FIRST events, FIRST in Florida, FIRST Resources, FLL, FRC, FTC, Jr. FLL | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Florida Spring Jr.FLL Expo, April 7 – Tampa

Posted on March 6, 2012 by tmw2010

Jr FLL Coaches:

  • The Florida Spring Jr. FLL Expo will be Saturday, April 7th, 2012 at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa.
  • The Expo will run from 12 – 4pm
  • There will be some great workshops for team members and coaches!
  • Participate in an interactive workshop learning how to use the We-Do LEGO Education kit and software
  • Kids will have the opportunity to learn building techniques from real LEGO Builders who will give tips and talk about their craft
  • Tournament Champion FIRST Robotics teams will showcase their robots
  • FREE Museum Admission is being provided to team members, their coach, and one adult guardian per team member!
  • There will be an Egg Hunt at the Museum in the morning before the Expo, with some special “LEGO” prized eggs!

REGISTRATION info can be found on the JFLL page at www.brickbuddies.org

Space is limited.  Confirm your registration soon!

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Jr.FLL Update:World Festival Expo, Brain Buster, Base Set, Impact, Twitter

Posted on February 23, 2012 by tmw2010

2012 Jr.FLL® World Festival Expo

The 2012 Jr.FLL World Festival Expo is taking place April 27, 2012 in St. Louis!  This year is going to be a fantastic full day event.  Is your team interested in attending? All teams are invited to submit anapplication!  If you are interested, the deadline for applications is Feb 24, 2012.  **Invitees are chosen from applicants via lottery.

Brain Buster

 

What does FIRST® stand for?

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

Base Set Blues

The Base Set and all its elements can seem very overwhelming, especially if you have never built anything out of LEGO® elements that has a motorized part. Don’t worry! Don’t fret! Help is here!Check out this video on building a motorized car. Our Coach Resources page gives tons of info on what to do with LEGO elements and simple machines. Also, your base set includes the LSP Special Activities & Jr.FLL Guide that gives instructions on building both a motorized car and chair swing.

**For those that purchased the Base Set in a previous year or are not planning on purchasing a Base Set you can purchase the LSP 8 Pack & LSP Special Activities & Jr.FLL Guide separately from LEGO Education using the links found in the Team Information Management System where you registered your team. If you would like to purchase a Base Set it can be found using the links as well. Remember, you can only order 1 Base Set per registered team.

Impact

 

What is the greatest impact Jr.FLL has had on your team? Hit “Reply” and let us know!

Twitter?

 

Would you like Jr.FLL to have a Twitter feed? Please let us know by taking our poll! We’d like to know your opinion.

Questions?

As always, if you have any questions at all drop us a note at jrfllteams@usfirst.org.

Helpful Links

Links - YouTube Jr.FLL Marketing Tools TeamUP! Forums

Email - jrfllteams@usfirst.org

Phone # 1-800-871-8326 x 0

 

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Registration Open for Jr. FLL Expo to be Held April 7th in Tampa

Posted on February 7, 2012 by tmw2010

FTC Team Brick Buddies, in collaboration with the Glazer Childrens Museum, is hosting a Jr. FIRST LEGO League Expo on Saturday, April 7th, at the Childrens Museum in Tampa. You can download the Expo Registration Form here. Team Expo space is limited and registrations are being accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Email  kappelers@yahoo.com for more information.

Jr.FLL introduces children to the concepts of teamwork and basic design skills, creating an initial interest and hands-on approach to science and technology through the familiarity and fun of LEGO building. Jr. FLL also introduces families to the FIRST philosophy and the concept of Core Values.

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FIRST gains STEAM in Tampa Bay!

Posted on January 17, 2012 by tmw2010

Lots of great STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) fun and learning opportunities coming up in the Tampa Bay area, many showcasing FIRST teams!  Thanks to TechPlayZone for sharing their STEAM flyer.  You can learn more about the events below as follows:

Filed under: FIRST events, FIRST in Florida, FIRST in the News, FLL, Jr. FLL, STEM news | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Jr. FLL Expo in Tampa Draws Enthusiasm & Big Crowds!

Posted on January 8, 2012 by tmw2010

It was a full house at the Jr. FLL Snack Attack Expo at MOSI today, with over a dozen Jr. FLL teams (five from Carrollwood Day School alone!) and hundreds of friends, family and MOSI visitors enjoying a full day of FIRST fun.

FRC team Hydra, from Hillsborough High School, was on hand with their

FRC Team Hydra showcasing their robot

big bot, and their FTC robot,  along with FTC teams Team Duct Tape, Schrödinger’s Army, and Smoke & Mirrors.  an FLL team from Lakeland.  Bay News 9 and channel 10 were both there for some local PR, too!

But it was Jr. FLLs day to shine, and FIRSTs youngest took center stage with great presentations and displays, showing a wealth of teamwork and Gracious Professionalism that heralds formidable FIRST students of the future!

Jr. FLLers Shine at the Jr. FLL Snack Attack Expo!

We’ll post more photos tomorrow, but congratulations to Inanimate Reason for a spectacular and flawless event that showcased Jr. FIRST LEGO League  with class, professionalism and great fun!

There was also a Jr. FLL Expo in Ocala – Robopalooza - this weekend,  The next Jr. FLL Expo is sponsored by Brick Buddies and will be held April 6th at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa.

Filed under: FIRST events, FIRST in Florida, FIRST in the News, FLL, FRC, FTC, Jr. FLL | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Jr. FLL Expo Today at MOSI in Tampa!

Posted on January 8, 2012 by tmw2010

Florida’s first Jr. FLL Snack Attack Expo at MOSI on Sunday to join in celebrating FIRSTs littlest folks’achievements in this year’s Snack Attack challenge.

Focused on building an interest in science and engineering in children ages 6-9, Jr. FIRST LEGO League,like FLL for older elementary and middle school aged children, features a real-world challenge that has to be solved by research,critical thinking and imagination. Guided by adult coaches and the Jr.FLL Core Values,students work with LEGO elements and moving parts to build ideas and concepts and present them for review.

At the Expo,Jr. FLLers will get to strut their stuff solving race style puzzles and enjoying

LEGO themed activities at MOSIs new “Idea Zone.” And they get to see other FIRST teams in action including FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)   Team Duct

FIRST President Jon Dudas Checking our Jr. FLL team "Little Bricks" Project at Florida STEM Summit in October

Tape and Palm Harbor University High School  with our hybrid LEGO/TETRIX robots,and the big bots fielded by FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC)  teams from Hillsborough High School.

We’re happy to be part of the Jr. FLL Expo,and supporting the next generation of great FIRST students!

If you want to join in the fun,Sunday,head over to MOSI for the event. While the Expo is free to attend,Expo host, Inanimate Reason, has partnered with museum to offer access to all of MOSI at a group rate of $8 per person.

The expo starts at 1:30 and lasts until 4:30. The full schedule for the expo is available on the expo website at http://inanimatereason.com/expo.


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Jr.FLL Update: Brain Buster, Focus, LSP, Snack, Questions, WF Expo, FLL

Posted on January 4, 2012 by tmw2010

—> Brain Buster

What are the six core values of the Junior FIRST® LEGO® League?

1. We are a team.

2. We do the work. Our coaches and mentors help us learn, but we find the answers ourselves.

3. We share our experiences and discoveries with others.

4. We are helpful, kind, and show respect when we work, play and share. We call this

Gracious Professionalism™.

5. We are all winners.

6. We have fun.

—>Focus-Focus-Focus

Having trouble getting the kids to focus? Try LSP!

Check out the LSP activities here (at the bottom of page 3). They are specifically designed to get kids to see the LEGO® bricks as a tool rather than just a toy. The LSP 8 Pack & LSP Special Activities guide can be purchased from LEGO Education through the link on your registration page.

–>What is LSP?

LSP – LEGO Serious Play is a way to enhance team-building and communication skills. It consists of minikits containing 51 LEGO pieces and a guide with LSP activities and examples how you can use the LSP pieces to explore challenge theme topics. If you already have a base kit from previous years (or your own pieces to use) you can purchase the LSP 8 Pack & LSP Special activities from the link on your registration page (if you purchased a base kit this year the LSP activities are included).

 —>Snack Choice

Having trouble deciding what snack to choose and what to make for a model? Here is a great article on how to brainstorm effectively.

 —>Got Questions?

Take a look at our updated Frequently Asked Questions page.

—>2012 World Festival Expo

The 2012 World Festival Expo is going to take place April 27, 2012 in St. Louis!! This year is going to be a fantastic full day event. Is your team interested in attending? The application is now online!

—>What’s Up With FLL?

FLL has had some great shoutouts from celebrity chef’s lately. Check out the videos from Cheff Duff Goldman (Food Network’s Ace of Cakes, Charm City Cakes) and Chef Wilo Benet (Pikayo Restaurant, Puerto Rico). Where they share their food safety tips with teams.

Chef Duff Goldman – http://bit.ly/v4yYbE

Chef Wilo Benet – http://bit.ly/rrNxGl

—>Questions?

As always, if you have any questions at all drop us a note at jrfllteams@usfirst.org.

 —>Helpful Links

Links – YouTube Jr.FLL Marketing Tools TeamUP! Forums

Email – jrfllteams@usfirst.org

Phone # 1-800-871-8326 x 0

Filed under: FIRST events, FIRST Resources, Jr. FLL, STEM news | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

The Amazing Jr. FLL Snack Attack Expo – Jan. 8, MOSI in Tampa

Posted on December 15, 2011 by tmw2010

The “Amazing Jr. FLL Snack Attack Expo” sponsored by Inanimate Reason, will be held at  MOSI on January 8th, 2012, from 1:30pm to 4:30pm,  to celebrate the amazing snack food journey for 16 Jr. FLL teams!  The day’s events include:

  • FTC team showcase
  • FLL Research Project Showcase
  • MOSI Idea Zone with buckets of LEGO elements!
  • An Amazing Race Style Challenge for everyone!
  • Prizes
  • Contests

Entry for the expo is FREE! Make a day of it and the entire family can stay and play at MOSI at a discounted group rate of $8 per person. Check out their exhibits and more!

Jr. FLL Team Registration costs $35. Register online at http://inanimatereason.com/expo/exporeg.php

Contact: Bill Shaw, bill@inanimatereason.com, 813-249-5522

When: January 8, 2012

Where: MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33617

Schedule of Events

  • 1:00 Pit Area opens for teams
  • 1:00-1:30 Team Check-In (Next to MOSI Info Desk)
  • 1:30-1:40 Opening Ceremony (presentation area)
  • 1:45-3:45 Expo Area Open (Grand Lobby)
  • 1:45-2:15 Sumo demonstration (presentation area)
  • 2:15-3:45 FLL Team presentations (presentation area)
  • 3:45 Pit Area closed to spectators
  • 4:00 Pit Area closed to teams
  • 4:00-4:30 Raffle / Awards / High-5 Ceremony (presentation area)

About The Jr. FLL Snack Attack Program

This year, kids aged 6 to 9 have the opportunity to participate in Jr. FLL. This is a non-competitive team. The team will get a chance to take a field trip to a local expo to display their project. The team will be coached by us and mentored by the members of a competitive robotics team.

Jr. FLL captures young children’s inherent curiosity and directs it toward discovering the wonders of science and technology. Jr. FLL features a real-world Challenge, solved by research, critical thinking and imagination. Guided by adult coaches, students work with LEGO elements and moving parts to build ideas and concepts and present them for review.

Can Junior FIRST LEGO League teams master the science of safely preparing food? In the 2011 Snack Attack Challenge, kids will take a “hands on” approach to the topic of food safety by exploring how proper preparation and storage can help keep us healthy. Teams will learn about simple machines as they build a model made of LEGO® elements with a motorized moving part, and will create a team Show-Me Poster to represent their Snack Attack findings.

Jr. FLL has captured the imagination and minds of thousands of kids. Each year, the Challenge Advisory Team designs a new and exciting Challenge to ignite the inherent creativity in young kids. The end result of the design process is a Challenge with two defined parts – the Show-Me Poster and the Model.

The Show-Me Poster requires kids to illustrate their research and team journey. It provides an opportunity for them to share what they studied, what they learned, and how they thought to improve the problem they chose. Their creative minds get started working on how to present their information and solution.

The Model portion of the Challenge gets kids’ hands busy. This is where they build a representation of what they are researching (according to the Challenge requirements), incorporating simple machines and movement into their creation. Teams are able to utilize a motor to power movement in their model, or they can move an element of it by hand. The Jr. FLL Challenge is based on the same general topic as the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge. It is open-ended, designed for younger kids, and customizable for every ability level.

About the Coach

Coach Bob Shaw has led FIRST® LEGO League Robotics teams in Florida for 5 years. He also runs an afternoon robotics program at MacFarlane Park IB Elementary. In 2010, he was recognized as the Florida Mentor of the Year for his work with FLL®. He believes that winning is fun but is secondary to ensuring that kids have a positive learning experience. He places as much emphasis on character building as he does on fostering technology skills.

Visit the Expo homepage at http://inanimatereason.com/expo/

Filed under: FIRST events, Jr. FLL, STEM news | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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