Questions and Answers and Information about FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

FLL Program Description

FLL in pictures and video

What is the FLL Challenge about?

Thinking about coaching an FLL Team?

What is FIRST®?

What is ORTOP?

ORTOP Mission Statement

Can ORTOP help me find a team for my child?

Where are FLL teams located in Oregon?

FREE ORTOP FLLWorkshops for Adults

What should I expect if I'm a FLL coach or mentor?

What would I see if I visited a FIRST LEGO League team meeting?

What kind of robot does a FLL team need?

Do you have the basic info in a handout?

Is there any financial aid to help teams get started?

What about tournaments?

FLL Program Costs

2011 Timeline for FIRST® LEGO® League /“Food Factor: Keeping Food Safe”

What is the age policy for FIRST LEGO League?

FLL TOURNAMENTS in OREGON & SW WASHINGTON

• How would you describe your tournaments?
  
• Is the public welcome to attend the events?
• Looking for a FLL Team to cheer for?
  
  
• Oregon FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Events
  
  
• Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Championship presented by Rockwell Collins

• WEATHER ADVISORY STATUS FOR FLL CHAMPIONSHIP Jan. 14/15, 2012

TEAMS IN PINK ADANCE TO CHAMPIONSHIP

Mentor Graphics Commons

Campus Map

Mentor Graphics Commons

Campus Map

The FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program is an excellent way for young people to experience the excitement of technical creativity and gain insights in the possibility of a a technical careers. Participating on an FLL team is a fun way to learn about mechanical design and computer programming as well as teamwork and other life skills. No previous technical or programming experience is required to join a team. The robots are programmed using a "flow chart" rather than a traditional programming language. Coaches often have the help of a technical mentor to teach the team members how to build and program a robot.

In FIRST LEGO League 9- to 14-year-old youngsters learn to design and build autonomous robots using special LEGO kits. The program includes a 10- to 12-week period in which youngsters form teams, develop robots that can respond to individual tasks as part of an overall Challenge, then compete at one of the many tournaments we hold in Oregon and SW Washington. Through this process, youngsters experience the fun and excitement of solving problems in a positive and supportive team environment.

VIDEO SLIDESHOW OF OUR PROGRAMS FROM 2009

Get in the Game!

video explanation of a previous year’s robot mission

CLICK HERE to read the 2011 FLL Challenge FOOD FACTOR: Keeping Food Safe.

Each year FLL teams embark on an adventurous Challenge based on current, real-world issues. Guided by a team coach and assisted by mentors, the kids:

• Research and solve a real-world problem based on the Challenge theme
• Present their research and solutions
• Build an autonomous robot using engineering concepts

Using the yearly Challenges, FLL:

• Entices kids to think like scientists and engineers
• Provides a fun, creative, hands-on learning experience
• Teaches kids to experiment and overcome obstacles
• Builds self-esteem and confidence
• Inspires kids to participate in science and technology

No matter what the child’s subject interest, FLL offers an opportunity for engagement. Whether it is by creativity, technology, or research, FLL dares kids to test, explore, expand, or completely change thoughts and approaches for different sciences each year.

Are you new to FIRST LEGO League and LEGO robotics? Each year there are many new coaches, mentors, judges, and referees that get involved for with our program. Focusing on coaching a team for a moment, you should know

• Coaches aren't expected to be technical experts. They focus on organizing the team. The team members are responsible for building the robot, etc.
• We have a special award category at our many Qualifying Tournaments (QT) that is restricted to brand new team members
• The annual challenge and research project is organized so brand new teams can learn as much or more as an experience team and have a lot of fun doing it. For instance the annual challenge is organized into a set of missions, some much easier than others. A new team should choose two or three simple missions and focus on building a robot to achieve them.
• We offer free workshops for prospective new coaches.
• Teams can be affiliated with schools, scouts, neighborhoods, churches, etc. All that's required is that at least one adult take responsibility for organizing the team and getting it registered.
• If you want to organize a team that is affiliated with your child's school, consider asking your child's teacher for permission to use a classroom for an information meeting of children and adults and ask your child's classmates to take home invitations to their parents. You may want to use the 2011 ORTOP flyer to help get the word out.
• We provide answers to your questions and concerns by email and telephone.
• It's all about learning and fun!

FIRST®- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology

An international non-profit organization called FIRST , located in Manchester, NH, organizes an annual network of robotics tournaments under the names FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and Junior FIRST LEGO League(Jr.FLL). FIRST focuses on promoting science and technology to young people. They have formed a network of robotics tournaments that use 3 unique types of robotics kits. Over the last several years, similar robotics tournaments held in other states and countries have proven to be extremely valuable in inspiring young people's interest in science and technology and preparing them to enter tomorrow's workforce. Click here to link to the FIRST website

The Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program (ORTOP)is a program of the Oregon University System. ORTOP serves as the Affiliate Partner for FIRST LEGO League, Jr. FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge in Oregon and SW Washington.

To accomplish its mission, ORTOP uses a 3 programs developed and distributed by the FIRST, which stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) an internationally recognized educational foundation located in Manchester, New Hampshire. These three programs are FIRST LEGO League, Junior FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge.

ORTOP is a program of the Oregon University System but is almost entirely volunteer driven. The ORTOP Planning Committee is made up of volunteers from the programs sponsors and partners and well as private individuals. Many adult volunteers will organize and coach teams this year, while close additional volunteers will plan and stage workshops, scrimmages and the Championship Tournament. These volunteers come from many sources, including sponsors and community partners.

Yes and No.
PLEASE NOTE------ ORTOP cannot place children onto existing teams, give out coach contact information or connect parents with current coaches. This is the policy of the FIRST® organization.
1) We suggest that you ask at the school office if a FLL team exists and who to contact.
2) Consider starting your own team.
3) Consult this Team Up! - a matching service provided by FIRST®
4) Check with your local 4-H office. Many counties have FLL teams.

Everywhere! This is the current list. Please note: ORTOP cannot give out any contact information for any team. Click here.

Starting your own team is easy. We even provide workshops for new coaches.

FREE ORTOP FLLWorkshops for Adults
Schedule and Registration

June – September
Portland Area

Free ORTOP Workshops offered for adults to learn how to be coaches and mentors. Held in Portland Metro area.

Outside of Portland

If there is interest, ORTOP will hold Extended Saturday workshops in Southern, Eastern and Central Oregon (one per location) during the summer.

                     Workshop I – Introduction to FIRST® LEGO® League, ORTOP and LEGO Robotics

                     Workshop II – Coaching and Mentoring Techniques

                     Workshop III – Robotics Techniques

                     Workshop IV – All Day Extended Saturday – combines Workshops I, II & III

Each workshop includes some aspect of learning to build and program an NXT Robot as well as the aspects of the tournament elements and procedure/paperwork details.

If you visited a FLL team meeting you would see 6 -10 kids, ages 9 – 14, working with a NXT LEGO Mindstorm Robot kit.  A few kids would be using the 1000+ parts in the kit to construct a LEGO Robot with motors, sensors (Light, Touch, Ultrasonic-distance and/or Sound) and the NXT brick that acts as the robot’s computer. The robot would also have 3 or 4 wheels to help it move around. 
Other kids would be at a 4’ x 8‘ mat in a FLL competition table with Food FactorLEGO mission Models. They would be figuring out strategies for the robot’s path or working with LEGO elements to construct attachments for the robot push, pull or lift items on the mission models to achieve the task.

Other team members are on the internet/looking in books researching the team’s Project.  The Project is a 5-minute presentation of the team’s solution to the
Food Factor: Keeping Food Safe 2011 Project Challenge.
And everyone is working as a team!

Click links for what is in an FLL LEGO Mindstorm NXT robot competition kit:
NXT kit (base kit) Product ID: W979797
Extra LEGO Elements (Education Resource Kit) Product ID: W979695
NXT-G Software Product ID: W900080

Optional - Color Sensor (legal one for FLL competitions) Product ID: W979694

The adult coach for each team should register the team at the FIRST LEGO League web site. The registration fee is $225, which stays with FIRST -- the national non-profit organization that organizes tournaments all over the country and internationally. Once the team has registered and paid the registration fee, it will receive a coaches handbook that includes basic info on team building, rolls, funding raising hints, brainstorming techniques, etc. The team registration fee includes one team membership (up to 10 children) to the FLL International program; access to the FLL on-line web community and the FLL International forum; coach and team resource tools; and customer, technical, and engineering support from FIRST Headquarters. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit organization. The team registration fee contributes to the growth and sustainability of the FLL program and supports ongoing program developments. Teams can also purchase the kits they will need at the same time they register.

Scholarships are available through ORTOP for teams that cannot otherwise afford to participate in the tournament.

Each year the robot challenge involves multiple missions arranged on a 4 foot by 8 foot mat where mission elements in a standard way. Each team will design a robot that will solve as many parts of the mission as possible. The details will be announced on September 2, 2011. National team registration runs from May through the end of September, or until all registration slots are filled. This has happened in late September. In early October, teams can register fo ra qualifying tournaments. In Oregon teams will register for Oregon Qualifying Tournaments (QT). Winners from the Qualifying Tournaments will advance to one of two Intel Oregon FLL Championship Tournaments. The Oregon local/state tournament registration fee will be $75.

Teams will have about two months to prepare their robot for a qualifying tournament. Qualifyingl Tournaments are held during the second and third weekends of December.

ORTOP has a limited number of partial grants to cover fees, robot kits or tournament materials to schools and community organizations serving students that meet financial aid requirements based on free and reduced lunch status. click here for more information

Requirements:

• At least a two year commitment to the FLL program
• Coach must attend ORTOP workshops if within 100 miles of a workshop location
• Commit to at least weekly meetings and bringing the team to a qualifying tournament

Program Costs when purchased through FIRST LEGO League
(prices listed are for the 2010 season and are subject to change)

FIRST® LEGO® League National Registration (up to 10 students)

$225*

FIRST® LEGO® League annual challenge Field Set-up Kit (Food Factor)
(can be shared by two or more teams at one location)

$65*

LEGO®  Mindstorm NXT FLL Competition Robot Kit with software (reusable each year)

$420*

* Total Shipping and Handling for a NEW team

$50  

ORTOP Tournament Program Fee

$75

Materials to build a 4’ x 8’ competition table for field set-up kit  
(reusable each year –can be shared by two or more teams at one location)

$50 - $75 range

Total cost for a first year team

$900

Total cost for a returning team

$400

2011 Timeline for FIRST® LEGO® League /“Food Factor: Keeping Food Safe”

May 2

National Team Registration Open for FIRST LEGO League and materials order submitted.  A team registration is for a maximum of 10 students. NXT Robot Kits ships upon payment

mid-August

LEGO®  Education ships “Food Factor” Challenge materials to teams

Sept 5th

2011 FLL Challenge released –Teams begin to solve Food Factor: Keeping Food Safe

Late September

National FLL registration closes when Field Set-up kits are sold out

Early October

Registration for a ORTOP Qualifying tournament in Oregon

December 3,4,10,11

20+ Qualifying Tournaments held in Portland Metro area, Bend, Corvallis, Hood River
McMinnville and La Grande. New sites for 2011 TBD

January 2012

Intel Oregon FLL Championship Tournament held in Hillsboro, Oregon

Oregon FIRST® LEGO® League Qualifying Tournaments
and the Intel Oregon FIRST® LEGO® League Championships presented by Rockwell Collins are free and open to the public*.
We encourage you to stop by and watch the exciting action as our FLL teams compete in this year's FOOD FACTOR: Keeping Food Safe Challenge

*Most events are open to the public. Due to space limitations, some are only open to team members and their immediate families.

• 2011 FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournament Teams and their assignments sorted by Team COUNTY and CITY will be posted in early October.
• ORTOP will host 22 Qualifying Events throughout Oregon and SW Washington on December 3, 4, 10 & 11, 2011.
  
• 12 to 20 teams will participate at each Qualifying Event.