FLL Challenge Must-Do's
What must the team complete for competition?
ALL teams feel like they are not prepared and could have done more when it's time to go to a regional competition. It's normal to feel that way. No matter how much your team has accomplished, go to a regional competition. They are an incredible experience. The season is about learning and they will learn a lot from seeing the competition and meeting other teams.
Here's a list of what you need for competition:
That's everything that you must have. Check out the rubric if you want to see ways that you could increase your score by doing more. However, the items above is all that is required for the competition. Core Values posters are optional.
Rubric:
https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/first-game-changers/fll-challenge/Rubrics.pdf
ALL teams feel like they are not prepared and could have done more when it's time to go to a regional competition. It's normal to feel that way. No matter how much your team has accomplished, go to a regional competition. They are an incredible experience. The season is about learning and they will learn a lot from seeing the competition and meeting other teams.
Here's a list of what you need for competition:
- Robot: The kids should design and build a robot to perform missions on the board. It's okay to use robot designs that you find on the internet (especially for young teams).
- Project Tri-fold: The tri-fold should include (at minimum) your question, your innovative solution, and how you shared with others.
- Project Presentation: All team members must participate in the project presentation. You have 5 minutes to present your project to judges. You can present it in any manner you like. From the FLL site: "Media equipment can be used but only to enhance the live presentation."
That's everything that you must have. Check out the rubric if you want to see ways that you could increase your score by doing more. However, the items above is all that is required for the competition. Core Values posters are optional.
Rubric:
https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/first-game-changers/fll-challenge/Rubrics.pdf
How to print your team roster:
- Go to first inspires.org
- login to your dashboard
- Under "Team Contacts/Roster," select "manage contacts"
- There should be a button on the top right to print the roster.
Competition tips for new coaches:
- When you arrive, you will have to check in your team. Bring a printed copy of your team roster, printed from the FIRST dashboard, which proves everyone signed the consent and release. This is where you might have to pay.
- Everyone should wear their team T-shirt! Don't forget the props or costumes for your presentation.
- You cannot count on WiFi at these events. Or cell coverage for a hot spot. Just emotionally prepare yourselves for the very real possibility of total disconnect. (This is why I hate using the Chromebooks for programming, in case you need to make an adjustment.)
- You cannot count on a power supply at your table, but sometimes it's provided. I always bring an extension cord and power strip from home in case I need to figure out a way to keep our robot charged.
- The competitions typically last all day. In the past I've been there as early as 7:45 a.m. and stayed as late as 5:30 p.m., depending on how efficient they are. You should get information directly from the organizers, but it could come as late as the night before.
- You will have a table there that the organizers set up for your team to have as a home base. You set up your project trifold on this table and store your coats and stuff under it on the floor, unless you can find bleacher space. The area with the team tables is called "the pit."
- They usually sell food and drink at these events, not to be consumed in your pit or in the gym. Usually you can eat in the hall or a cafeteria.
- Families have always been welcome in the past - not sure about COVID restrictions this year. You'd have to ask the organizers at your specific event. Probably masks are required.
- You do not need to bring your competition table, mat, or the LEGO missions. All that stays home. I will collect that from you later.
- Competitions usually have two practice tables set up where your team can practice or tweak their robot if needed. You have to sign up for a space to use them, usually in 5 or 10 minute segments.
- If you think you can bring your mat and mission models to practice on your own, don't do it. There is no space in the room and it's bad form to be out in the hallway in some random school. Nobody does it.
- Encourage your team to walk around and look at other team's projects and robots. It's all a learning experience.