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Contact Us

If you have questions about the Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program, send an email message to
questions@ortop.org
or call 503-725-2915 or 503-725-2920.

If you would like to register for an ORTOP workshop click here

If you need to contact us by mail, please use the following address:
ORTOP c/o OUS Industry Affairs
CAPITAL Center, Suite 1065
18640 NW Walker Road
Beaverton, OR 97006

Background Information

 

LEGO has developed two robotics product lines based on research done at MIT Media Labs. The kit introduced in the late'90's is called the Mindstroms Robotics Invention System (RIS) featuring an RCX. It uses a special brick that contains a microcomputer called an RCX that can process input from three sensors and control three motors. The sensors include "touch" micro-switches, rotation counters, light detectors, and optional temperature and other types of sensors. The motors can be turned on in either the clockwise or counterclockwise directions at several different power levels. The motor outputs can also be used to turn on small lights. The sensors and a built in timer can be used to program decisions about what the robot should do next.  The RCX kit is being phased out in favor of the new NXT kit released in the summer 2006. The RCX kit will be supported until 2009. The RCX kit, Team Challenge, is only available from LEGO Education.

In 2006, LEGO is introducing an updated version of the RCX kit called NXT. It will feature many of the sensors offered in the RCX kit and new sensors and features. An interesting new feature is the inclusion of rotation sensors in the NXT motors.  The NXT kit will be sold at retail stores, LEGO.com, LEGOeducation.com and one NXT kit can be purchased when you register your time for FIRST LEGO League.

See below for information on kits, team costs, fundraising, and scholarships.

FIRST LEGO League and ORTOP at a GLANCE for 2007

Camps and Classes for kids

Oregon City Pioneer Robotics Organization (FRC Team #2550) will offer a LEGO Robotics and Sumo Robotics Summer Camps in August 2008. Click Here for camp flyer.

Robot University (Hillsboro) will offer a LEGO Robotics 6 day LEGO Robotics Summer Camp in late June - early July. Geared for the rookies and beginning LEGO Robotics kids but more experienced kids welcomed. Click Here for a camp flyer.

Saturday Academy Summer Classes in Engineering. Click here to see your options.

 

Kits

FLL Robot Set - RCX (released late 90's) or NXT (released 2006)

Teams may use either a RCX robot or a NXT robot when competing in FIRST LEGO League.

The FLL NXT competition kit contains everything a team needs for 2008 challenge: base NXT robot kit with sensors and motors (white tub), seperate education resource kit with extra building LEGO (blue tub), NXT software, rechargeable battery pack and charger. It is similar to the kits offered by LEGO Education or LEGO retail but it has additional parts and software.   Approximate price: $365 for the NXT kit plus 29.20 shipping when purchased with a FLL registration of $200 .

If you choose, you can purchase individual components of the FLL NXT Competition Kit through the LEGO Education website.

NXT Base Set -$260 - White Tub

Education Resource Kit-$69 - Blue Tub

NXT-G Software - $69

RCX robots are available through LEGO Education and will be supported until 2009. LEGO Education's web site

Robolab for NXT and RCX robots

The Robolab software is adapted from National Instrument's LabVIEW product. LabVIEW provides a general- purpose drag-and-drop interface for controlling laboratory instruments. Tufts University created a special version of LabVIEW that is unique in at least two ways:
(1) Many of the icons correspond to the LEGO robotics kit parts.
(2) A "Pilot" mode has been added that allows students to learn how to program the LEGO RCX with constraints that serve as "training wheels" -- flexibility and generality are sacrificed to ensure that that most choices made by the students will be successful ones. As basic concepts are mastered, the students go to more general and flexible Pilot levels. Once the pilot levels are mastered, the students can proceed to the fully general "Inventor" mode, where they can develop more complex solutions.

In Summer 2006, from LEGO Education, Robolab 2.9 will be released. It is an software upgrade for team currently using Robolab 2.0 or 2.5.4. Robolab 2.9 will allow teams to program both NXT and RCX robots.  Robolab 2.9 will be supported until 2009. Robolab

Upgrading a RCX Robot Set

Those that already have a Mindstorms Robotics Invention System (RIS) or a Robolab Team Challenge Set can choose to upgrade their kit by purchasing1 rotation/sensor, and 1 motor with wire. Those that have an RIS or an older Team Challenge kit may also need to purchase a second light sensor. These parts are available from LEGO Education on their web site or by calling them at 800-362-4308. For more details see frequently asked questions.

FLL 2008 Field Set Up Kit- Climate Connections

This kit contains all the table top elements specific to the 2008 "Climate Connections " Challenge season including challenge and mission-specific elements, as well as a pre-printed 4' x 8' roll-out mat. This kit changes on an annual basis and is needed to reproduce the field layout. The Challenge Set may be shared among teams within the same school, organizations, or neighborhood to assist in alleviating costs. It is designed to be used inside of an FLL Playing Field. If your team does not have a fellow team to share a Challenge Set with, you will need to purchase your own to practice for the 2007 "Climate Connections " Challenge when you purchase your FLL registration . Estimated price: $65 plus shipping.

Ordering Kits

The NXT can be ordered at the same time you register your team. You must order your robot and Field Set-up Kit at time of FLL registration. You can not go back and order after registration closes. Registration can be accomplished online beginning May 1, 2008. One FLL NXT Robot Competition Kit and one Climate Connections Field Set-up Kit can be ordered per one FLL registration.

Playing Field Construction

The FLL Challenge Set can be placed on a floor with a 2x4 border or on a special table. The table and the associated lighting will help assure consistent results when you practice for the tournament. Click here for Instructions on the FLL web site.

Sample Team Budget

To participate in FIRST LEGO League in 2008 each team of 3 -10 students should have:

* usable for multiple years
** FLL NXT Robot Set comes with a rechargeable battery pack. Other kits may require replacing batteries.

See also fundraising and team scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for frequently asked questions about kits together with answers.

Links

Materials from CMU

Carnegie Mellon University has a great web site featuring LEGO robotics:

LEGO has a good web site for its Mindstorms product line.

INSciTE, the organization that runs FIRST LEGO League in Minnesota. They have a have a great web site. They have created manual materials including a great table of gear ratios possible with LEGO gears. They have also created some great reference and teaching materials. (These are large files.)

Tufts University, the inventor of Robolab, has useful curriculum material.

Another great resource is an article by Fred G. Martin of MIT called The Art of LEGO (file is about 1 megabyte). This is a great resource for RCX robots.

For a summary of the recommendations of four successful coaches from the 2002 season see Best Practices 2002.

For hints on printing programs from the Mindstorms RIS software (RCX) see the end of the Frequently Asked Questions page

Dale Yocum's NXT Tutorial - A Great self guided tutorial for NXT Programming.

LEGO Robotics Day Camp Curriculum - based on the LEGO Robotics Day Camp for Girls developed by Jo Oshiro and Cathy Swider. Primarily for RCX the camp includes lots of teamwork, problem solving and critical thinking materials.

SuperQuest LEGO Robotics Curriculum Support Site - Lots and Lots of information, videos, Dale Yocum's RCX and NXT tutorials in English and Spanish, curriculum, other great resource links. Funded by a generous grant from the Oregon Engineering Technology Industry Council.

Books

NXT for FLL Books reviewed by Dale Jordan, ORTOP Training Committee and former FLL Coach.

Engineering with LEGO Bricks and Robolab
This book is intended to be used by first-year engineering students, although others may find it is useful as a ROBOLAB reference guide. The authors tried to think up design challenges that have no ceiling. Their concept is that you can accomplish the tasks with a moderate amount of effort or you can make it as complicated as you wish.

Dave Baum's Definitive Guide to LEGO Mindstorms
This book describes how to design and build several robots from Lego Mindstorms Invention System. It also includes a CD-ROM which contains NQC compiler and sample programs. (Note, however, that NQC is not allowed for programming FLL missions.)

Extreme Mindstorms: An Advanced Guides to LEGO Mindstorms
This book is a sequel to Dave Baum's Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms. Baum brought together a team of Mindstorms experts to create this book.

Lego Mindstorms for Dummies with CD-ROM
This book uses simple examples to convey complicated ideas. In contrast to Extreme Mindstorms, this book starts with the basics.

The Unofficial Guide to LEGO ® MINDSTORMS
This book covers instructions on building various robots from Lego Mindstorm Invention System. It also describes alterative programming languages for Lego Mindstorms.

Joe Nagata's LEGO Mindstorms Idea Book
This book shows how to build ten RCX robots and discusses the basic robotics principles needed to create variations.

Building Robots with Lego Mindstorms by Mario Ferrari, Giulio Ferrari, and Ralph Hempel
 This book is described as the ULTIMATE tool for Mindstorm Maniacs. This addition is for RCX based robots. Hopefully the next addtition will include NXT.

Creative Projects with Lego Mindstorms with CD-ROM
This book describes how to build

ORTOP Grants for FIRST LEGO League Teams

A limited number of team grants that cover from $50 to $800 of team costs are available through ORTOP. Applicants must complete the ONLINE Grant application to be considered.

Thank you to all of our sponsors for making these grants possible.

Who should consider applying? Schools, Community Organizations, After-School Programs and individual coaches are encouraged to investigate and apply for an ORTOP grant to assist in paying for FLL Tournament Registration fees, Tournament materials and a NXT robot kit. Team grants are awarded to teams demonstrating a strong financial need and barriers to other funding resources. Grant consideration is also given to students who might not otherwise participate because of cultural or social barriers. These students include girls and minorities underrepresented in Oregon's technology workforce. New Teams and Returning teams can apply.

NEW TEAM ORTOP Grant Application Steps

1) Read ORTOP Grant Information 2008 to understand what is expected of ORTOP Grant Coaches

2) Download and PRINT the ORTOP 2008 Grant Worksheet to see the information necessary for application.

3) Complete the ONLINE Application for NEW TEAMS!

4) The ORTOP Grant Committee will review your grant application and contact you by email.

If you have questions please contact us by sending an email to scholarships@ortop.org or by calling 503-725-2920.

Fundraising

Each new team will need $740 or more for registration fees, kits, and related costs. In addition they will need transportation to the tournaments. See the sample team costs for details. Costs for returning teams will be less because most of their materials from the previous year can be used again.

Teams will often use a combination of approaches to underwrite their efforts.

ORTOP FIRST LEGO League Workshops for Adults

General Information / NXT Workshop Info / Workshop Registration / Workshop Class Descriptions / Workshop Calendar /Other Workshops

General Workshop Information

ORTOP FIRST LEGO League WORKSHOP Registration is now open. Below is information about our workshops.

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General Information / Workshop Registration / Workshop Class Descriptions / Workshop Calendar /Other Workshops

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Workshop Calendar - Please Register at least 48 hours before each workshop!

Date

Workshop

Location

6/5/08

I. Introductory Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

6/10/08

I. Introductory Workshop

Capital Center - Beaverton

6/12/08

II. Coaching/Mentoring  Techniques Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

6/17/08

II. Coaching/Mentoring  Techniques Workshop

Capital Center - Beaverton

6/19/08

III. Robotics Techniques Workshop

Capital Center

6/24/08

III. Robotics Techniques Workshop

Capital Center - Beaverton

7/10/08

I. Introductory Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

7/17/08

II. Coaching/Mentoring  Techniques Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

7/24/08

III. Robotics Techniques Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

8/7/07

I. Introductory Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

8/12/07

I. Introductory Workshop

tentative - Intel Jones Farm

8/14/07

II. Coaching/Mentoring  Techniques Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

8/19/07

II. Coaching/Mentoring  Techniques Workshop

tentative - Intel Jones Farm

8/21/07

III. Robotics Techniques Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

8/26/07

III. Robotics Techniques Workshop

tentative - Intel Jones Farm

9/4/08

I. Introductory Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

9/9/07

I. Introductory Workshop

tentative -  East Mult Co. TBD

9/11/08

II. Coaching/Mentoring  Techniques Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

9/16/07

II. Coaching/Mentoring  Techniques Workshop

tentative -  East Mult Co. TBD

9/18/07

III. Robotics Techniques Workshop

Capital Center -Beaverton

9/23/07

III. Robotics Techniques Workshop

tentative -  East Mult Co. TBD

Our workshops are conducted by volunteers and open only to adults. Our plan is to hold workshops in June, July, August, and September. With some exceptions the minimum number of adults per workshop is 8 and the maximum is 16.

We value our volunteers' time. If you register for a workshop and find you cannot attend, email workshops@ortop. org 24 hours in advance.

ORTOP FIRST LEGO League WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

ONLINE FIRST LEGO League WORKSHOP REGISTRATION LINK

Workshop Descriptions

OPEN TO ADULTS ONLY, no team members.

ORTOP provides free workshops for prospective coaches and mentors starting in June and running through September. If you would like to be on the email list to receive announcements about workshops and similar topics, please send a note to workshops@ortop.org

2Learn 2 Learn TEAMWORK Workshop

Schedule for 2008 2Learn2Learn Teamwork Workshop to be announced.

We have heard from our coaches, “Yes, it is great to learn how to build and program a robot but how do I communicate this information to the kids? How do I get kids to work together? ”. This workshop is designed to give you strategies for communication and teamwork. This document explains the workshop details. There are two parts to this workshop. Part I is to listen, participate and learn the material. During the last half hour, Part II, our workshop creators would like your feedback.

Return to Workshop Calendar

Introductory Workshop for NXT & FIRST LEGO League

The purpose of the Introductory Workshop is to explain the Lego Robotics program run by ORTOP to adults who are curious to learn what this program is all about. It is not designed for Junior FIRST LEGO League coaches. We explain our motivations for the program, what we hope to achieve, and why young people in the 9-14 year old age group have so much fun and reap so many benefits. We explain the roles of both FLL (FIRST Lego League) and ORTOP, and we describe the tournaments that ORTOP puts on around the state, which provide our youngsters with the opportunity to show off what they have learned. Our goal is to have you want to get involved in some form, perhaps putting together a new team, helping us staff our tournaments, or even providing financial support. After about an hour discussion, we break into teams to build a basic LEGO robot. We introduce you to programming your robot with the NXT software, which is a very simple way to direct your robot to complete a few illustrative tasks.

Return to Workshop Calendar

Coaching / Mentoring Techniques Workshop for NXT

Attendees of the Coaching/Mentoring Techniques Workshop have typically made the decision that they want to lead an ORTOP/FLL team. It is not for Junior FIRST LEGO League coaches. This workshop helps these new coaches and mentors understand how to succeed with their teams. We address forming a team, registering a team, outfitting a team, and managing a team. After a discussion that lasts about an hour, we break into teams for some hands on exercises. We use robots built in the Introductory Workshop and focus on the next level of programming using the NXT software.

Return to Workshop Calendar

Robotics Techniques Workshop for NXT

The Robotics Techniques Workshop is aimed at those who have already completed the prior two workshops or are experienced coaches or mentors who may be feeling a little lost. We focus on activities that coaches and mentors can use with their teams to help them build more rigid and robust structures, to help them use gears effectively, and to help them understand the many ways in which sensors can be used to help solve the missions that their robots face. As with the previous workshops, about two-thirds of the time is spent in hands-on exercises. We again use the robot built in the earlier workshops and enhance both its structure and programs in a way that provides coaches and mentors with several examples that they can take back and immediately put to use with their teams.

Return to Workshop Calendar

Expanded Workshop for NXT

These workshops present the three 3-hour workshops described above in a single 1-day session. The all-day format is most applicable to new coaches and mentors who have not been a part of the FLL program in the past but those with some experience should consider coming for some or all of the afternoon session. Experienced coaches and mentors will most likely be quite familiar with the material presented in the Introductory Workshop. The same is likely to be true with the Coaching/Mentoring Techniques Workshop, although coaches and mentors with limited experience in prior years may find the material helpful. The most useful material for coaches and mentors who have worked with FLL teams in prior years is found in the Robotics Techniques Workshop. The general workshop schedule is shown below. Attendees should feel free to arrive for those parts that would be most useful to them. When you register, please tell us at which point you expect to arrive.

(Start time may vary for each expanded workshop - check Calendar for specific start and stop times)

9:00 – 10:00        Introductory Workshop Presentation
10:00 – 12:00      Build NXTbot and practice programming
12: 00 – 12:30     Lunch break
12:30 – 2:00        Coaching/Mentoring Techniques Workshop Presentation
2:00 – 3:00          Practice programming with NXT

Return to Workshop Calendar

General Information / NXT Workshop Info / Workshop Registration / Workshop Class Descriptions / Workshop Calendar /Other Workshops /2Learn2Learn

LEGO ROBOTICS ORTOP TRAINING DOWLOADS & OTHER WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

ORTOP WORKSHOP MATERIALS

COMING SOON! ALL MATERIALS USED IN THE 2008 ORTOP FLL WORKSHOPS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD.

General Information / NXT Workshop Info / Workshop Registration / Workshop Class Descriptions / Workshop Calendar /Other Workshops / 2Learn2Learn

Videos

FIRST LEGO League, Jr.FLL and FIRST Tech Challenge on YouTube.com

There are lots and lots of FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge videos posted at www.youtube.com . Use these links: FIRST LEGO League, Power Puzzle, Nano Quest, LEGO Robotics, FIRST Tech Challenge, Quad Quandry, Junior FIRST LEGO League.

PCMTV NanoQuest Challenge at the 2006 State Championship at Liberty High School.

Watch a video of a NanoQuest table run from the Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League 2006 State Championship Tournament featuring The PIGMICE and ROBOTECH . The Pigmice won the 1st Place Champion's Award at the Oregon State Championship and the 2007 FLL World Championship.

Tualatin Valley Television (TVTV)

2002 Oregon CitySights Season Digital Video

This 6-minute clip captures the scope and excitement of the annual state tournament and quickly demonstrates the kinds of learning and accomplishments achieved by more than 1,000 9-14 year olds across Oregon in the 2002 season. Using lego® robotics kits, team members took on the roles of city planners and engineers, studying, designing, building, and programming their robots to meet the official challenges of the FIRST national program, culminating in playoff and state finals competition. To download this video, right click one of the three hyperlinks below and select "save target as" or "save link as" to download the file.

Every computer is configured differently, so we don t know which file will play best on yours. The files are designed to play on both PCs and Macs. They play with QuickTime and RealOne media players, as well as others. If a compatible player is not already installed on your computer, free versions of QuickTime and RealOne are easily downloaded and installed by choosing one of the following links and selecting the free download

2001 Downloadable Digital Video

This video captures the tournament day's energy and broad participation, while demonstrating how kids creatively designed their robots to meet the official "Arctic Impact" challenges. This is an excellent introduction for prospective team members, coaches, mentors, volunteers and sponsors for the 2002 season; also parents and teachers.

If you right click on the links below, your browser may be able to invoke a "plug-in" that will play the video in "streaming mode." In many cases the quality will be poor, however. You should have more consistent and better results by downloading the whole file before playing it. To do so, right click one of the three hyperlinks below and select "save target as" or save link as" to download the file. You will be prompted to supply a file name and the subdirectory on your hard drive where you want to store it. (If you're using a standard telephone modem, the download will take a while.) The file utilizes a common format that plays on most video viewer programs, e.g., Windows Media Player. (The latest version of WMP can be downloaded at no charge.)

Once you have finished downloading the file, you can load your copy of Windows Media Player or equivalent and play the file you've downloaded by selecting it from the directory where you saved it.

LOCATIONS AND DIRECTIONS TO ORTOP TRAINING WORKSHOPS

Map to the Capital Center

Address: Capital Center, 18640 NW Walker Road, Suite 1065, Beaverton, OR 97006

Parking: Park in lot on Walker Road side (North Side of building, east of Entrance A) Do not park in the Wm. Barnhart Parking lots! , Use Entrance A,follow yellow signs to Suite 1065