ChathamSTEM FIRST LEGO League July 2014 Information Session
What is ChathamSTEM? A network of parents, professionals, students and educators whose goal is to promote excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math ( STEM ) education. A cooperative effort that depends on everyone. Ø Promote FIRST programs in K-3, Lafayette, CMS and CHS and non public schools Ø Particular Focus to Gender gap in Science and technology education Ø Inclusion of students from underserved communities
What is FIRST Foundation? For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Ø Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen Ø FIRST Robotics Competition for high-school / college grade 9+ Ø FIRST Tech Challenge for late Middle School high-school-aged young people Grade 7-12 Ø FIRST LEGO League for Grade 4-8. Started in 1998 Ø Jr First Lego League for Grade 1-3
FLL Impact Brandeis University found that students Increased knowledge of: Their use of school subjects in solving real-world problems The importance of science and technology in everyday life 93% 95% The use of science and technology in real-world problem-solving 97% Fun and challenges of a science and technology career 90% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Source: FLL Program Study by Center for Youth and Communities, Brandeis University,
What is FIRST LEGO League TEAMS Grade 4-8 Ø Build autonomous robots to solve challenges on a table-top sized field in a time trial competition Ø Research and demonstrate their ideas to a panel of judges WHAT TYPE OF CHALLENGE? Ø An exciting and current technology or science Ø A set of LEGO obstacles on an 4 x 8 field HOW DOES IT WORK? Ø 11 weeks to design, construct, program, and test solutions Ø Use LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT or EV3 Ø Compete with peers in high-energy tournaments with an emphasis on good sportsmanship.
Chathem Stem : What do we do? ChathamSTEM looks to enlist students, teachers, and schools to get involved. ChathamSTEM coordinates with schools or libraries and looks to secure facilities for practice sessions as well as teachers to be coaches at these sessions. ChathamSTEM will provide the tech support, logistics for meeting, registering, tells you what you need to do and how to do it. ChathamSTEM organizes registration with FIRST Lego League. WHAT PARENTS CAN DO: Volunteer to be a coach/team manager Check with your childs friends to gauge interest level to build a team Teams generally work best with children at the same grade level or about the same age group.
Organizing A TEAM: Up to 10 children as per the FLL requirements. Chatham STEM we recommend 4-6 players per team. At least one adult coach and possibly a team manager. Get team members together to meet and agree on time and place. In our case,we have the Lafayette gym that can be used weekly from 3:30-5:00. Buy MindStorm kit from FLL or ChathamSTEM can facilitate the purchasing the kits. If you already have one, use it. Acquire additional robot kits (optional) for practice. Join the table Building Party 2014- Saturday August 23. Save the date! Join the ChathamSTEM FLL mailing list if you have not done so already.
Once Registered -Resources for New Coaches FLL Coaches Handbook: All the information you need to get started Free with national FLL registration, has sections on: Building a team Equipment needed Tournament rules and awards Checklists and schedules ChathamSTEM will help you along through the process.
ChathamSTEM Robotics FIRST Lego League 2014 Calendar Ø July New Members practice (FLL, FTC) camps Register http://chathamstemsummer.eventbrite.com Ø July 18 Parent orientation #2 Ø August 2 Parent Orientation #3 Ø August 26 FLL 2014 challenge unveiled on web and Table building Fund Raiser Ø September 15 Teams should be organized (kits and challenge received by now) Ø Sep Nov Challenge season (11 week research, build, program, and test) Ø Sun, Oct 25 ChathamSTEM Challenge - Qualifying stage Ø Nov Qualifiers Ø Dec Northern NJ State Competition Ø Jan-April Super-regional, regional, National
How Much Does It Cost? (as far as we have experienced) Ø Item Team Cost Player Cost (Team of 5) Ø FLL Team Registration $225 $45 Ø Field Challenge Set $75 $15 Ø Mentoring Fees season $250 $50 Ø Robotics Kit (buy) (1-2 kits) $0/420 $0/ $54 Ø ChathamSTEM FLL T-shirt $75 $15 (per shirt) Ø ChathamSTEM Tournament Fee $50 $10 Ø LAR 4 x 8 board $75 $15 Ø Other Tournament fees $50-$100 $10/$50 Ø Total for the season (Sept/April) $160 / $254 for the season. Based on a 5 member team. Ø Not including travel fee to nearby competition, additional registration fees if progress to state or national, and other misc
Frequently Asked Questions Ø When do you assign my child to a team?. Teams are essentially formed by parents. ChathamSTEM will help if a child is not in a team to find place for them. Ø What are typical meeting times? The team coach/manager sets meeting times with input from the team. Often there is a shorter meeting on a weekday and a longer meeting on the weekend if the teams choose to meet over the weekends. Ø What is the time commitment for the children and parents? Players: 4-6 hours per week (about the level of a recreational soccer team). Coaches: Player meetings plus prep time. Ø I don't know anything about robotics or programming. How can I help? Team manager, assistant coach, or tournament volunteer. You do not need prior experience.