Transcript Slide 1
(501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization)
Igniting young minds.
Teaching life skills.
Nurturing passions for science and technology.
Practicing “Gracious Professionalism™.”
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
It’s a competitive sport.
It’s a life experience.
It’s opportunity.
It’s community.
It’s amazing.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FIRST learning…
… never stops building upon itself, starting at age six and
continuing through middle and high-school levels up to age
eighteen. Young people can join at any level. Participants
master skills and concepts to aid in learning science and
technology through robotics.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
✔ Introduction to science and technology
✔ Design and build challenge-related model
using LEGO components
✔ Create a Show-Me poster and practice
presentation skills
✔ Explore challenges facing today’s scientists
✔ Discover real-world math and science
✔ Begin developing employment and life skills
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
✔ Real-world science and technology challenges
✔ Strategize, design, build, program and test LEGO
MINDSTORMS®-based robots
✔ Research challenges facing today’s scientists
✔ Develop employment and life skills
✔ Discover exciting career possibilities
✔ Become involved in their local and global community
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
✔ Head-to-head competition using sports model
✔ Teams design, build, program robots on
engineering principles
✔ Students learn, use sophisticated hardware
& software
✔ Mentored by professional engineers
✔ Awards for competition, community outreach,
design
✔ Qualify for >$7 million in scholarships
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
✔ Varsity Sport for the Mind™
✔ Strict rules, limited resources, time limits
✔ Students mentored by professional engineers
✔ Teams learn, use sophisticated hardware and
software
✔ Build and compete with robots of their own
design
✔ Qualify for >$12 million in scholarships
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen
Devoted to helping young people discover
and develop a passion for science,
engineering, technology, and math.
2010/11
250,000+ students
90,000+ mentors and volunteers
More than 50 countries
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Who is it for?
For students (ages 6-18):
the hardest fun you’ll ever have.
For mentors, coaches, volunteers:
the most rewarding adventure
you’ll ever undertake.
For sponsors:
the most enlightened investment
you could ever make.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
What is FLL®?
“I want to build things nobody else has
even thought of yet.”
Charles Peterson, FLL Team Member (10 years old)
FIRST ® LEGO® League
Helps children, ages 9 to 14 (9 to 16 outside the US
and Canada), discover the fun in science and
technology while building self-confidence, knowledge
and life skills
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
What is FLL?
An international program created
through a partnership between
FIRST and The LEGO Group
INSPIRES children, ages 9 to 16* (Grades 4-8),
to participate in science and technology
ENGAGES children in playful and meaningful
learning
PROVIDES a fun, creative, hands-on learning
experience
CHALLENGES children to solve real-world
problems using robotics
TEACHES children to experiment and overcome
obstacles
BUILDS self-esteem and confidence
*9-14 in the U.S. and Canada
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
What is FLL?
How It Works
PROBLEM SOLVING AND CREATIVITY
Present children with a real-world problem
New scientific theme each year
TEAMS OF CHILDREN AND MENTORS
Work as a team
Learn with adults and mentors
DO IT ALL IN 8 WEEKS
Building, programming, testing, investigating solutions
May choose to participate in an Official Tournament or local event
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
What is FLL?
FLL Teams
APPLY math and science concepts to research,
design, build and program autonomous robots
USE LEGO MINDSTORMS® technologies
GAIN hands-on experience solving real-world
problems
• Robot Game
• Research Project
LEARN from and interact with adult mentors
WORK as a group to overcome obstacles and
meet challenges
ENGAGE with their community
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
What is Jr.FLL™?
Junior FIRST® LEGO® League
INTRODUCES 6 TO 9 YEAR-OLDS to the fun of
science and technology
MINI CHALLENGE based on annual FLL
research project
EXPLORE, investigate, design and build model
made with LEGO bricks & moving parts
CREATE “Show Me” poster depicting team’s
experience
LEARN from and interact with adult mentors
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
2010 Challenge
Engineering meets medicine
Through the 2010 Body Forward® Challenge, FLL teams will
explore the cutting-edge world of Biomedical Engineering to
discover innovative ways to repair injuries, overcome genetic
predispositions, and maximize the body's potential, with the
intended purpose of leading happier and healthier lives.
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FLL impact: growth
2010 Season Projections
Team Growth
17,100 teams
171,000 middle-school students
More than 50 countries
111 Championship Tournaments,
540 Qualifying Tournaments
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Jr.FLL impact: growth
2010 Season Projections
1,800 teams
Team Growth
10,800 6 to 9 year-olds
U.S., Canada, Belgium, Israel,
Netherlands, U.K.
2008 2009
40+ Jr.FLL Expos
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FLL impact
Coach Perspective
In a 2004 evaluation of FLL, Brandeis University found:
94% of coaches reported an increase in students’ understanding
of how science and technology can be used to solve problems.
Among participants:
93%
Want to learn more about computers and robotics
88%
Want to learn more about science and technology
Increased interest in science/technology-related jobs
0%
20%
40%
60%
77%
80%
100%
Source: FLL Program Study by Center for Youth and
Communities, Brandeis University, May 2004
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FLL impact
Student Perspective
In the 2004 evaluation of FLL, Brandeis University also found:
Increased knowledge of:
93%
Use of school subjects in solving real-world problems
Importance of science and technology in everyday life
95%
Use of science and technology in real-world problem-solving
97%
90%
Science and technology careers
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Source: FLL Program Study by Center for Youth and
Communities, Brandeis University, May 2004
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FLL impact
Student Perspective
98% reported had fun working on
their FLL team
93% rated their experience ‘good’
or ‘excellent’ (31% good, 63%
excellent)
82% plan to participate again
(11% will be too old; 5% report no
time)
Source: FLL Program Study by Center for Youth and
Communities, Brandeis University, May 2004
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: FLL teams
Organizations
Any group can create a team: schools, community
groups, churches, neighborhoods
Up to 10 children, ages 9 to 16*, and at least
one adult coach
Cost
$800 for new teams; $500 for returning teams
Season
May – September …………….On-line registration (subject to availability)
Early September ………………Challenge is revealed
October – November ….. …….Build & research
November – January …………Tournament season
April ……………………………..World Festival
*9 to 14 in the US and Canada
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: Jr.FLL teams
Organizations
Any group can create a team: schools, community
groups, churches, neighborhoods
Up to 6 children, ages 6 to 9, and at least one adult
coach
Cost
$150
Season
August – June ……...………....On-line registration
Early September ….…………..Challenge is revealed
October – November …………Build & research
November – June ……………..Expo season
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: sponsors
FIRST Sponsorship
FIRST Sponsorship:
Builds technological literacy in youth
Strengthens company reputation
in the community
Provides renewed inspiration to
company engineers and employees
Engages employees in volunteerism opportunities
Provides employee team building and training opportunities
Inspires future careers in STEM area
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: sponsors
FIRST Sponsorship
Become a Sponsor:
Provide financial support to teams
Involve employees as mentors, coaches
and/or volunteers
Provide equipment, facilities and/or training
Help host a tournament for your community
“FLL enables us to be a player in the community. The kids
enjoy it and our employees get a kick out of it as
volunteers. The feeling is that we’re all in this together.”
Tom Pirelli, Chairman, ArialPhone Corporation
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: volunteers
FIRST Sponsorship
Become a Volunteer:
Help children discover the fun in science and
technology
Have a positive impact on the lives of children
Help celebrate science and technology
Network with like-minded professionals
Be inspired and energized through your
participation
Have fun
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: volunteers
FIRST Sponsorship
Volunteer Opportunities:
Coach or Mentor a team
Coordinate a team
Help with fundraising
Recruit new teams
Volunteer at an FLL or Jr.FLL event
e.g. Judge or Reviewer/Referee
“There’s something about changing a young person’s life
and giving them direction that keeps me going.”
General Motors FIRST Volunteer
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: mentors
FIRST Sponsorship
Become a Coach or Mentor:
Empower children with a sense of
accomplishment
Provide valuable one-on-one interaction
Be respected and admired by team
members
Be inspired and energized through your
participation
“I love working with these kids! I’m amazed and inspired
by what they can accomplish, and their enthusiasm and
energy is contagious.”
Kristen Kelso, FLL Coach and Judge, former FIRST Robotics Competition participant
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: schools
FIRST Sponsorship
Opportunities:
Spread the word about FLL and Jr.FLL
Encourage parents to form teams
Provide space for teams to work
Be a tournament site
Help mentor/coach a team
Bring FLL or Jr.FLL into the classroom
“I have been teaching for 31 years and this is one of the
best programs I have ever seen!”
David Mills, Technology Education Teacher
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Get involved: universities
FIRST Sponsorship
Opportunities:
Host an FLL tournament or Jr.FLL expo
for the community
Recruit students to mentor/coach teams
Recruit volunteers
Contact local elementary and junior high
schools
Get the word out to alumni
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
More information
On the web
www.usfirst.org
www.firstlegoleague.org
www.juniorfirstlegoleague.org
Call 1-800-871-8326
W W W. USFIRST . O R G
800-871-8326
FOR INSPIRATION AND RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY