Competing Against Yourself

This week’s Coach Tip comes from a coach in the Washington, DC area.

“(My team) realized early on that the competition wasn’t really against the other teams: it’s against themselves and their robot. So they never really cared how other teams did, just whether THEY felt that THEY’D done their best. Essentially, the FLL Challenge is a mountain that nobody is supposed to climb all the way. Some teams are GT 8th graders with no extracurriculars who live in the same neighborhood and spend many, many hours every day; other teams are full of busy 5th graders who meet once a week for an hour and everything in between. 

So sure, there might be some “keener” team at a tournament clicking off high table scores. But that’s only 25% of the overall evaluation. I’ve seen teams advance to State who did poorly on the table; I’ve seen teams NOT advance who did GREAT on the table.
I have yet to see a team NOT have fun at a tournament. I like to tell the story of having only ever seen ONE kid crying in eleven years of coaching and judging, and there was clearly a lot more going on there than just unhappiness over performance. Compare that to ANY sport your kids have participated in. 

So…worry not. Tell them to do their best, and enjoy the ride. And when they get together this week and complain that “NOTHING IS WORKING AND WE AREN’T READY AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO THERE’S NO POINT…” -- deep breath, help them figure out what DOES work, and don’t even let them THINK about not coming. They’ll have a blast!”

I find a lot of truth in this.  The kids are learning to listen to each other.  They are learning the iterative process.  They are learning to fail; something most other sports do not teach with their participation awards.

We will keep on practicing and working on the challenge, the rest of the month and maybe through the spring for some workshops.    The important thing is to not give up, keep on trying, and keep on learning.

STEManiacs Scrimmage Results

Green (Monday) Team

Winner of best robot design

Blue (Sunday) Team

Winner of best research project

Sunday Team Field Trip

The Sunday Team has decided to study landslides/mudslides and went on a field trip last week with our expert Dr. Carlos Robles.  Below are some notes, graciously taken by Jim Venezia, that will help focus the students as they think of their innovative solution.

Summary

We call mudslides debris flows because it's not just mud, it's going to have bushes in it, trees, fragments of vegetation, rocks with the mud in a great huge porridge. 

Debris flows are the result of this sequence of a events:

1) Rain allows brush to grow

2) Hot sunny dry weather dries out plants

3) Fire accompanied by wind burns brush off the hillside

4) Heavy rain saturates the soil to the point where it gives way and causes a debris flow

1934 New Years Day Disaster in LA Crescenta

NE corner of Rosemont and Fairview

On New Year's Day, 1934 a debris flow destroyed an American Legion outpost. It was raining so hard that some people came to a public building that seemed so sturdy and warm and inviting to shelter from a heavy rainstorm. 12 people where killed at this location, as well as several dozen in La Crescenta. The flow came out of Shields and Goss Canyons in La Crescenta. Heavy rains in preceding days saturated the ground in the hills to the breaking point. When the ground on the hill it had all it could take, it unleashed a catastrophic debris flow that rumbled down the mountain with tremendous force destroying whatever lay in its path.

After this event, The Army Corps of Engineers and other civil engineer groups worked to create a runoff system to help prevent these mud and debris flows.  Channels where created to collect the water and control its flow and take it away into a larger drainage network that leads to the ocean. Debris basins, perhaps the most important stop gap, collect the largest objects in the debris flow and strain the water out of it. The water then is directed into channels that follow the natural direction of the canyon slope. Once the water is strained out of that mud porridge, the porridge itself becomes solid and doesn't move thusly removing the threat to life and property.

But in 1978 and 2010 heavy rains produced debris flows that overwhelmed these debris basins. Both events where preceded by fires which took out vegetation that held down the soil. So the debris basin and drainage network is not a perfect cure. Think of ways you can improve this system.

Cycles and conditions for debris flows

Vegetation in our community

On our tour of Deukmejian Wilderness Park, we learned that the vegetation in this community burns regularly. Every 15-35 years it will burn right to the ground. It's biology has adapted to allow it to spring back to life very fast. The Station Fire happened only 4 years ago, but if you look around, unless you were really looking for the charcoal, you wouldn't know there was a recent fire here. The plants in this location a primarily brush. Their distant ancestors may have originated in the tundra or tropics. Thru migration they found themselves here in a common environment. Perhaps 20 different species, that end up looking pretty much the same. It is difficult to tell one from the other as they have similar forms. All the plants have small grey leaves, no big tree trunks, they are all really drought resistant so their leaves get leathery. So when we have different species from different origins that originally looked very different but when they are in similar environment and they all wind up looking the same, we call it convergent evolution. The Mediterranean has a climate just like ours. If you are in Italy or Southern France, it looks just like this! Even though they came from different origins, they converge on a similar form (convergent evolution). In winter, when there is lots of water thats when the growth happens. In summer there is no water and they stop growing. These plants are adapted to drought with small tough leaves. But they are also prone to fire. The leaves contain an oily resin that protects the plants from insects and mold. But it is very flammable, and explodes during fire!

How do these plants come back so quickly after a fire?

Nutrients that where once in the leaves return to the soil in the ash

Dormant buds are present in the base and under ground. Heat from fire knocks out chemicals that have been keeping the buds in suspended animation, and they sprout up immediately after the fire.

Dormant seeds have a similar chemical that keeps them from sprouting. They also contain a proteinaceous compound that is denatured by heat, thus allowing them to sprout. So the seeds may sit on the ground for 4-5 years and do nothing, get switched 'on' by a fire, and as soon as there is a rain they sprout.

Wildfires

The way the fire propagates is thru the wind. It starts to burn as an intense hot fire, and this whispy vegetation sends up sparks and 'Fly Ash' (burning parts). The heat creates a huge updraft that carries these fragments of burning vegetation and ash with them off and other fires start on the next ridge. With wind fires are capable of moving up to 25-30 mph. Fires can leapfrog out running even fire vehicles. This makes these fires very dangerous to fire fighters, as sometimes they are not aware that the fire has moved putting them in danger. 

Is there a way to warn fire fighters the immediate location of the fire and their position?

Ariel evacuation?

Heat sensors?

Thermal imaging?

Could ariel drones play a role?

How do we communicate real time information to the fire fighters on the ground?

Wildfires take out the vegetation on hillsides, leaving the soil vulnerable to mudslides and debris flows with the right amount of rain.

Mudslides and Debris Flows

Mudslides and Debris Flows happen after certain conditions. First a wildfire removes vegetation, then heavy rains saturate the soil. When the right amount of water loads in the soil, a mudslide or debris flow may occur.

How do we know if we are at risk for mudslides?

What does the community to warn people about mudslides?

Is there any way of knowing a mudslide is imminent?

In the tsunami world, if there is a submarine earthquake, immediately the international tsunami warning system measures where it is, measures its size and estimates the potential for a tsunami and sends out warnings.

Is there anything comparable where we know the state of a hillside and whether a mudslide is imminent?

If there is, how do we get the warning to people?

This is something you need to research.

If you guys can think of a good technical solution, we could know when the mud is about to give way and send people a warning.

Cameras in the hills?

Seismic activity?

Sensors to measure moisture content in the soil?

Check out this Lego team doing their presentation:

http://www.schooltube.com/video/80a8ee69a79c404e8d9d/

Important Resources

Below is a list of favorite links and resources to be used at home or during practice to learn more about Natural Disasters and Roboting.

Nature's Fury Challenge

Project FAQ

Robot Game Updates

ESRI
Find great resources to real-life disasters including before and after photos

FLL Tournaments
A list of upcoming scrimmages and Qualifying Tournaments.  I am hoping we can attend the La Canada tournament on November 24th.  I won't be able to apply for our tournament choice until October 1st.

Scrimmage Rescheduled

Scrimmage has been rescheduled to 
Saturday, October 12, 8-5 pm at Roosevelt Middle School

Please let me know if you will be able to be in attendance and what times.  I know most of us have soccer, please tell me when you are able to be at Roosevelt so I can schedule the children appropriately.

Second Meeting: The Project

For this meeting we are going to break into groups of 3-4 and rotate through three 55-minute sessions (fewer for the Monday team).

Robot station will spend time working on roboting; specifically programming the robot to move on the field.


Project Intro station will be introduced to the Project through a series of videos and questions:

Videos from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9GU_TMN_-Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccUzkKHBVqw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOboTGXdNY4

Overview of this years challenge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNa4perHN5c

Read the project guidelines and discuss so that each team member understands the entire scope of the project.


Research session will start researching and learning more about one particular natural disaster.

Pick from the list below:
Avalanche or landslide
Tornado or cyclone
Earthquake
Tsunami
Flood
Volcanic eruption
Hurricane
Wildfire
Storm (wind, sand, blizzard, or rain)
- See more at: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/projectfaq#sthash.MCddgzQc.dpuf

National Geographic

NOAA

ESA Kids


WRAP UP:
Present to the whole group your favorite Natural Disaster.  Group will vote on chosen Natural Disaster to focus on for the rest of the season.

Discuss Core Values and give example of a Core Value you saw this week.

First Meeting Post-Release

First meeting after Challenge Release

The first few meetings after the Challenge Release are "work meetings"; lots of rules, reading, discussing, learning, and deciding.  No robots.  This part surprised the kids.  But we can't very well program a robot until we know the objectives, we know the game plan for achieving those objectives and we form small groups to achieve the individual challenges.

We spent the entire meeting time reading through the documentation, asking questions, finding the loop-holes, manipulating the LEGO pieces and discussing.

Then the students made groups of 2-3 to discuss what challenges they would like to work on.  These were temporary groups for just the day.  The goal was for them to digest the information, think about how to manipulate the robot and challenge, and then start the early stages of planning.  In addition, it was important for them to practice recording their thoughts and ideas.  A scientific journal is an important tool in any innovative project.

Next week we will discuss the project portion of the Challenge (whole group) - Natural Disasters, focusing on a particular disaster.  FLL has several good documents and videos that we will make use of.  The students will take notes and choose a focus as a team.

 If you want to do some homework check out the video below and read through the project documentation.

Nature's Fury Challenge

Download the Challenge  and more information in the Topic Guide.

We have decided to focus on Wildfires since we have had to contend with Wilfires in our community.  We will also have a fire helicopter mechanic come and speak with both teams.  If you have contacts to anyone else who would be able to talk to us about wildfires please let me know.

We will start by focusing on these questions:
• How could this force of nature cause a natural disaster in your chosen community?
• What problems would it cause? Would it harm people, property, or both?
• Is the community always at risk? At risk only during certain times of the year? Is the risk predictable?
• How do people prepare?
• How are people warned?
• Who provides emergency food, water and shelter ? How?
• Who clears the debris and rebuilds? How long does it take?

Your challenge is to create an innovative solution — one that makes life better by improving something that already exists, using something that exists in a new way, or inventing something totally new. 

We will work on building the field this weekend.  Read the missions below and start thinking about how what missions you want to complete.  

MISSIONS

SUPPLY TRUCK
Condition visible at the end of the match:
— The supply truck is touching the mat in the yellow region.
(Note that the LT blue region is in the yellow region.)
Value: 20

EVACUATION SIGN
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— The sign is obviously up (it doesn’t need to be vertical), held in place only by the slider’s friction with the mat.
— No part of the sign model is being touched by the robot, or any strategic object.
Value: 30

CARGO PLANE
Condition visible at the end of the match:
— The plane is in the yellow region.
(Points are given for yellow and not LT blue, or for LT blue, but not both.)
Value: YELLOW AND NOT LT BLUE… 20 -OR- LT BLUE… 30

TREE BRANCH
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— The east tree branch is closer to the mat than the electric cables are.
— The tree and the electric cable models are upright, touching the mat.
Value: 30

TSUNAMI
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— All three waves are touching the mat.
Value: 20

AMBULANCE
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— The ambulance is in the yellow region.
— All the ambulance’s wheels are touching the mat.
Value: 25

RUNWAY
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— Nothing except wave water and/or the plane is touching the mat anywhere on the runway.
Value: 30

CONSTRUCTION RELOCATION
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— There are no gray building units anywhere in the LT green region.
Value: 20

BASE ISOLATION TEST
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— The west tan building is undamaged: Four segments, 90° to mat, and "perfect" alignment.
— The east tan building is obviously damaged.
— *Nothing is touching either building except the rolling frame.
— *Nothing ever touched either building except the rolling frame.
— The damage was caused purely by movement of the rolling frame.
(*Exception: Fallen segments from the east building may touch the mat and/or the west building by chance.)
Value: 30

CODE CONSTRUCTION
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— A multi-story building is in the pink region.
— The building is made of building segments only.
— The finished building does not rely on strategic objects or the robot in any way.
(Perfect nesting and alignment are not needed for this building.)
(If there are multiple buildings, only the highest score-worthy one scores.)
Value: 5 EACH SEGMENT OF HEIGHT


OBSTACLES
*Condition visible DURING the match:
— The robot has crossed completely over the west line of the noted region, from the west only.
(This mission involves exceptions to the Rules...)
(This mission may be repeated as desired, in hopes of improved results.)
(Points given are permanent unless a better result replaces them later in the same match.)
(Points are given only for the best result achieved.)
(The robot may be rescued from this mission as needed, successful or not, without penalty.)
(Points given are permanent even if the robot later leaves or is rescued from the region.)
Value: DK BLUE…10 -OR- DK GREEN…16 -OR- PURPLE…23 -OR- RED…31

HOUSE LIFT
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— The house is locked in its high position.
Value: 25

PROGRESS
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— The pointer has reached colors as a result of red lever motion only (moving left in the picture).
(Points for this mission are awarded to both teams, no matter who operates the model.)
(No points are awarded if this model has not been operated.)
Value: COLORS REACHED…2 EACH

FAMILY
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— At least two people are together in any colored region.
(Points are awarded for 2, or 3, but not both.)
Value: 2…33 -OR- 3…66

WATER
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— At least one person is together with (bottled) water in the same region.
Value: PEOPLE WITH AT LEAST 1 WATER…15 EACH

SAFETY
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— At least one person is in a region colored red or yellow.
(Points for people in red and people in yellow are combined.)
Value: PEOPLE IN YELLOW…12 EACH, PEOPLE IN RED…18 EACH

PETS
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— At least one pet is together with at least one person in any colored region.
Value: PETS WITH AT LEAST 1 PERSON…15 EACH

SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— At least one non-water item is in a region colored red or yellow.
(12 Possible: 2-way radio, battery, generator, 2 fuel, grain, bread, medicine, boom box, flashlight, dirt bike, helmet)
Value: ANY IN YELLOW…3 EACH, ANY IN RED…4 EACH

SAFE PLACE
Conditions visible at the end of the match:
— The robot is in the red region at the end of the match.

Value: 25

Nature's Fury Challenge Release

Tuesday, August 27th at 9:00 am PST

Go to http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2013naturesfury

You will be able to download the Nature’s Fury Challenge as well as supplemental documents to help you get started.  I encourage you to read the Challenge and think about which missions you would like to tackle.

There is a Challenge Release workshop on August 31st, 9-11 am locally.  Please let me know if you would like to attend.  It will be great for us to hear first hand about the particulars of the Challenge.

Meeting #2: Moving Basics

We were doing some research about how to best teach new students the basics of programming and moving the robot.  In our reading we discovered that the EV3 software comes with tutorials for the students to complete.  Those tutorials teach a majority of the basic moves and most students just skip that part of the instruction.

Not the STEManiacs!

Open EV3 software and go to Robot Educator --> Basics --> Tank Move

The students can work in group of 3-5 to practice their self-learning; reading through the slides, copying the given code, and seeing the results.  Just the practice of following directions, checking their work is valuable.

After each iteration of programming the group moved the robot to the mat to test.

Each group had 5 roles; programmer, assistant programmer, robot wrangler, recorder, supplies.  We gave each child a clothespin with their role on it.  After each visit to the mat they rotated clothespins to ensure each team member was doing each job.

It was interesting to watch the kids participate in the self-learning process.  By really limiting their roles and ensuring that each child participated it kept students from blending into the background and it kept other students from overtaking the mission.

 Once the students achieved the tank move tutorial they moved on to the move object tutorial.  There are a total of 9 tutorials and the kids only completed two of them.  Its a really easy pre-challenge activity for the kids to take part in.

SUCCESS!!!

Practice FLL Tournament

We got invited to a FLL practice tournament!

Saturday, October 5th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Because of the tremendous growth of LEGO Robotics in our District, Roosevelt Robotics is pleased to host a Practice Tournament for all of the Glendale based teams. We will follow a traditional tournament schedule consisting of three judging sessions (Robot Design, Research Project, and Core Values), 1 Robot Performance Practice Round, and 3 Robot Performance Rounds for score. The judging sessions will be evaluative and educational. Our judges will help your team prepare for the Qualifier Tournaments held in November.
After the official Robot Performance Rounds are over, we will provide each team with 3 additional Robot Performance Rounds, but with technical assistance from our group of Mentors. (During an actual tournament, Coaches and Mentors are not allowed to talk to the robot drivers.)
We won't have an actual schedule until we know the exact number of teams, but the day will start at 8:00 am and end at approximately 5:00 pm. Traditional FIRST LEGO League awards will be given. Watch for updates as we approach the tournament date.

~~~~~~~~~
PARENT VOLUNTEERS:

• We will need parents to help coordinate transportation for kids (who aren't able to attend with their own parents).
• Spirit Wear will need to be distributed before this meeting.
• Signage - we need some fun signs to root on our team and signify a meeting place
• LUNCH - we are going to need sustenance and although each child will be responsible for their own food, having a parent designated as the food provider will be helpful.

Meeting #1

The official robot season has begun.  We met several times over the summer with various team members to learn some basics of the robot, FLL and programming.  This week we started our real practices with the correct team members.

This weeks challenge was to build the basic robot kit (directions that came with the EV3) and then program the robot to drive in a straight line to get as close to the wall as possible without hitting the wall.  Students could choose between degrees, rotations etc to make the robot move.

We had difficulty with our battery packs.  I am thinking we got two of the defective EV3 battery packs.  LEGO Mindstorms has been very accommodating in providing us replacement batteries at no cost to us.

Once they succeeded in the first challenge they completed the same challenge using the ultra-sonic sensor.  Some teams were able to move even further in the challenge and use the color sensor to make the robot stop and go.  The trick the students discovered is that the "coast" command was very useful.

The laptops that came with our robots were very helpful for the students.  It was great letting them be in charge of the programming and not worrying about damage.  These laptops are tough-duty and made just for kids (which makes it difficult for my old eyes to read).

 At the end of practice the students all mentioned a core value that was demonstrated that day.  It is important for students to be able to understand the core values and what they look like in a real team meeting.  They will be questioned on the FLL core values during the competition.

Teams are FULL

Congratulations!!  Both the Sunday and Monday team are full.  Over 30 students contacted us and tried out the team.  We have whittled it down to 20 students who are interested in science as much as we are.

Its going to be an exciting few weeks as we learn, build, create, and design while working together as a team.

Parents, its time to volunteer.  What will you be doing for the STEManiacs this year?  We need to following jobs filled:

• Research Project Coach (training provided)
• Assist in meetings (training provided)
• Snacks and refreshments
• Transportation to tournaments
• Fundraising
• Team T-shirts
• Building FLL Table
• Photographer
• Team Spirit

Finally, there will be a Challenge Release workshop offered Saturday, August 31, 9:00-11:00, Montrose  (Presenter: Tony Ayad).  I would like it if the STEManiacs had a presence at the meeting and we already have one parent who has volunteered to attend.  Please let me know if you are able to attend and learn more about the specifics of the Challenge.  

Challenge Build

We had a great group of STEManiacs help us build the challenge pieces.  We were able to try out our new LEGO laptops - designed specifically to be kid-safe and guarantee no issues in compatibility with the EV3s.

It was fun trying to guess where the challenge pieces should be placed on the field.  We talked about the color-coded indicators on the mat.  We also took guesses as to how the challenge would be structured and which items were to be manipulated versus obstacles to avoid.

Our robots are here as well.  Next week will be our first meetings Sunday, August 18, 3-6 pm or Saturday, August 19, 5-7 pm.  We will practice building a stock robot and programming it.  Since we have 2 robots we can split into teams of 5 on both of those meeting dates so we have more robot time.

Tuesday August 27th we will know what the challenge is.  

Check the FLL website from home to find out the Nature's Fury Challenge.  

LEGO Build Workshop

The LEGOs are here!  The LEGOs are here!

Friday, August 9th, 4-6 pm we will start building the challenge pieces of our field.  This is an optional activity.  Please bring a snack.  We will have adults available to help supervise the build and parents are welcome to stay as well.

Also, we have two more spots available on the Monday team.  If you know anyone else who wants to join please direct them to the website then have them contact me.  They can come to the build to on Friday to get a feel for the team if they like.

See you Friday!

The LEGOs are here

We got a delivery yesterday in the mail.  A nice long box about 4 feet wide, the perfect size for an FLL competition mat!

Accompanying the mat was lots of LEGOs and no directions.  The directions will be posted online on August 1st.  We can't wait to give the kids an opportunity to build the challenges.  We have a lot of work ahead of us starting with sorting the LEGOs.  

We will meet Friday, August 9th (time: TBD, but likely the afternoon) for an optional build-only workshop.  No roboting will take place at this meeting.  We will have a series of computers set up so the kids can build all of the challenges.  An official email will go out once a time is determined.

Ready, Set, LEGO!

Dine Out to Support STEManiacs

Our very first fundraiser has been scheduled for Monday, July 22nd, 5-9 pm at Straw Hat Pizza on Foothill Blvd.  Between the hours of 5-9 pm Straw Hat will donate 33 1/3% of all proceeds to STEManiacs.  You must bring in the attached flyer though for the funds to be assigned to our organization.  Please forward this to all family and friends.  It will be great to meet for dinner and spend some time socially as a team.

Last Summer Workshop

Our last summer workshop will be Tuesday, July 16th, 9-12 pm.  All interested in FLL are invited to attend including those who are not committed to teams.  You must RSVP via email so we can prepare the appropriate materials and supplies.  If you have an extra NXT robot (just the brain) please bring it so we can have more groups.

All parents are welcome to stay and help and learn more about our team and the FLL process.

SNACKS: We need one parent to bring juice, and one parent to bring some fruit.

95% FULL!

Our Sunday team is full AND paid for.  Great job, Sunday Team!  We will be sending a complete roster out soon via email so you can coordinate with your other team members.

Monday team has only one slot left and three spots are unpaid.  We are definitely a go for both team and will be getting EV3 Robots for both the Sunday and Monday teams (ship date is August 1).

Contact Leslie Dickson if you have any questions about our team or need to contact me regarding payment.  We have a great group of parents and kids for this exciting season!

Filling Up Fast!

We are almost maxed out on the number of students we can accept.  Your spot is only secure if you pay the team fees.  Please contact Leslie Dickson if you are unsure as to the status of your payment.  Beginning next week we will be opening the team up to the wait list.

Thanks for all the support parents!  Its because of you that our team is in such high demand.

Upcoming Robotics Workshop July 1, 9-12 pm

Our second summer robotics workshop is this Monday, July 1st, 9-12 pm.  Even if you will not be joining STEManiacs you are welcome to attend (you must RSVP).  Siblings ages 9 years and older are welcome as well.  If you still aren't sure about robotics please come and take us for a test drive.

Thanks to the parents who are bringing snacks to nourish these hungry children.

RSVP (leslie.dickson@gmail.com)

Upcoming Summer Workshop

Our first summer robotics workshop is this Saturday, June 22, 10-3 pm.  Even if you will not be joining STEManiacs you are welcome to attend (you must RSVP).  If you still aren't sure about robotics please come and take us for a test drive.  

To secure your spot on Saturday:

• RSVP (leslie.dickson@gmail.com)
• Bring a lunch (its a long day)
• Be ready to learn and have fun

Sunday Team is Full!

Exciting news!  The Sunday STEManiacs team is full.  All new members of STEManiacs will be placed on the Monday team, but can opt to be wait listed for the Sunday team.  However, after September 1st all teams will be final.  

Robots, LEGO, Oh My!

A brand new La Crescenta Community FLL team called the STEManiacs is being started this fall.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology) was the brainchild of the well-known inventor and businessman, Dean Kamen, inventor of Segway. In the F.I.R.S.T. LEGO League, student teams are given two challenges. They must design an autonomous robot that gathers points by completing missions on a 4’ x 8’ playing field. They also research and develop a solution to a problem in keeping with this year’s theme--Nature’s Fury.

Teams typically meet for 3-5 hours per week from mid-August to mid-December.  Students, ages 9-14 years, will work collaboratively to do three things; build a LEGO robot, research the project, and focus on working together as a team through coopertition.

Teams are made up of 10 children, ages 9-14 yrs and will meet in La Crescenta on Sundays and Mondays this fall.  If you are interested in applying for the team fill out this form.