Transcript First Annual Oregon Robotics Tournament

FIRST LEGO League
2014 FLL World Class Challenge:
The Project and the Game
Tim Ewers
Associate Professor
University of Idaho Extension 4-H
[email protected]
208-885-4080
Will Boyd
4-H Science Extension Associate
University of Idaho Extension 4-H
[email protected]
208-885-6299
Idaho ROKS
(Idaho Robotics Opportunities
for K-12 Students)
Inspiring and fostering interest, achievement, and
commitment in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics among Idaho youth.

Idaho ROKS™ is the official FIRST®Partner responsible for
managing FLL & FTC programs in Idaho.

We promote, support, and manage a continuum of educational
robotics including WeDo Robotics, FLL, FTC, Jr. FLL, Junk Drawer, and
Platform Robotics

A program of the University of Idaho Extension/4-H Office

We rely on generous volunteer support from around the state
Today’s Goals
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Explanation of the Project and Robot Game components of
the FIRST® LEGO® League Program.
Logistics for getting started
Best practices and suggestions for effectively facilitating these
equally important aspects of the program.
Team Management tips
Reinforce Core Values
NOTE: the full project and game are not revealed until August
26th.
I hope you leave:
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Feeling more comfortable about your role
Having some more tools in your bag of tricks
Understanding better what it takes to solve a challenge.
Having gotten your questions answered
Have some fun!!
Program Structure
Idaho ROKS is a
program of UI
Extension/4-H.
University of Idaho
Extension/4-H is the
Operational Partner
with FIRST for these 3
programs.
UI Extension/4-H
has also developed
its own series of
educational robotics
programs.
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Progression of FIRST Programs
For children ages 6-9, Junior
FIRST® LEGO® League (Jr.FLL®)
captures young children's
curiosity and directs it toward
discovering the wonders of
science and technology. This
program features a real-world
scientific concept to be explored
through research, teamwork,
construction, and imagination.
Guided by adult Coaches, teams
use LEGO®bricks to build a
model that moves and develop
a Show Me Poster to illustrate
their journey.
Introduces younger
students to real-world
engineering challenges by
building LEGO-based robots
to complete tasks on a
thematic playing surface.
FLL teams, guided by their
imaginations and adult
coaches, discover exciting
career possibilities and,
through the process, learn
to make positive
contributions to society.
FTC is designed for students in
grades 7-12 to compete head to
head, using a sports model.
Teams are responsible for
designing, building, and
programming their robots to
compete in an alliance format
against other teams. The robot
kit is reusable from year-to-year
and is programmed using a
variety of languages. Teams,
including coaches, mentors and
volunteers, are required to
develop strategy and build robots
based on sound engineering
principles.
FIRST LEGO League is one of
four programs that makes up
FIRST
The 2014 FLL Challenge is
“World Class”
“Learning Unleashed.”
What is the future of learning? FIRST® LEGO®
League teams will find the answers. In the 2014
FLL WORLD CLASS℠ Challenge, over 230,000
children ages 9 to 16* from over 70 countries
will redesign how we gather knowledge and skills
in the 21st century. Teams will teach adults
about the ways that kids need and want to
learn. Get ready for a whole new class – FLL
WORLD CLASSS
The FLL Team Experience
Miniature
8
engineering project team stressing

Creativity and teamwork

Engineering principles: requirements, alternatives, rapid
prototyping, testing, …
Hands-on
Context
problem solving
is a real-world situation
Illustrates multiple roles: Designers, Builders,
Programmers, Sales and Marketing
Insights
into possible careers
The youngsters
Core Values
do the work: FLL Coaches’ Promise and FLL
What Is an FLL Team?
2-10 youngsters each
 Ages 9-14
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Led by coach and mentor (at least 2)
 Coach – adult with overall
responsibility for the team
 Mentor – technical expertise
Sources of teams
 Schools
 Community groups

Neighborhoods
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FIRST LEGO League has Three Components
What We Do
How We Do It
Design, Build & Program
Autonomous Robots
Test, Learn and Improve
Problem Solving and Critical
Thinking
Explore Real World
Problems
Research the Challenge
Topic
Identify a Problem
Develop Innovative
Solutions
Share Your Findings
Teamwork
Good
Sportsmanship
Cooperation
Respect
Team Spirit
Gracious
Professionalism™
Team Tasks
Your FLL team will spend 8-12 weeks working on:
Project
Project research, presentation
preparation, practicing
Robot
Game
Robot design, programming,
construction, and testing
Core
Values
Learning FLL Core Values, team
building, and organizing
Logistics for Getting Started
Logistics for Getting Started

This is a project oriented program
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Parents and team members need to understand the
commitment required

Team members need to be available on a consistent basis
to move their parts of the project forward from the first
meetings through the season-end tournaments
Coaching: Nuts and Bolts
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Time commitment
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Time vs. progress
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Most progress is made in the final couple of weeks. Expect
to expend more effort towards the end.
Get out there
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Meet with your team twice a week for about 2 hours.
Adjust as you see fit. Read the Coaches Manual thoroughly
and revisit it often.
Get the students into the field to meet professionals and
tour facilities
Attend seminars, visit other FLL teams
THE KIDS COME FIRST

Remember the kids are the ones learning by doing. Let
them solve the problems. Your role is guide and director.
Team Experience

Some of your kids may be experts at LEGO, some
may like to draw, others just like to talk

Focus their natural tendencies onto FLL

Talkers lead the presentation content
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Builders lead the robot
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Artists make presentation props
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Mix experienced kids with younger students
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Be sure everyone is involved and participates in
some part of the robot and presentation
Physical Logistics
Coaching: Screws and Nails
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Construction
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Get LEGO storage bins. There are hundreds of little pieces

Find someone who likes carpentry, you need to build a playfield
Facilities and Tools

Computer (WinPC or Mac)
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Internet connection
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Robot work area
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Space for 4’x 8’ playfield
(classroom, conference
room, etc.). The playfield
‘Table’ is a 4’x8’ sheet of plywood with a 2’x4’ border

Playfields need legs, buy work stands or find sturdy tables or use 2’
high cardboard boxes

Storage for the FLL mission assemblies
Where to Meet
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Large enough space to handle the number of
youngsters on the team
Space for challenge field setup – 4’x8’
Access to a computer
Storage space between meetings
 Challenge table
 Partially built robot
 LEGO parts
Team size

High initial interest may fade

Sub-teams of 2-3 can work in parallel
 Experiment
 Learn
 Work
with prototypes
programming techniques
on the project

Maximum team size allowed is 10

5 to 7 team members is probably ideal
Team Uniforms??

Many teams do something for the
tournaments
 Team
shirts, hats, etc
 Theme
clothing

Team sponsor advertising on a T-shirt, etc.
is OK

Helps adults keep track of team
You Need Adults, Too!
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Coach – The person in charge
 Organizes the team
 Does not need to be a techie
Mentor – The technical guru
 Provides technical advice
 Provides the technical basics
One person can play both roles
 But, don’t go it alone
 Recruit other adults to supervise sub-teams
Go Coach!
Coach – The Person in
Charge
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Single point of contact for team
Understands the FLL and Idaho ROKS
programs
Management expertise more important than
technical expertise
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Point of contact for FIRST® and Idaho ROKS info
Recruits the team
Registers the team
Arranges for equipment
Schedules meetings
Sets the philosophy and instills team spirit
Is a good role model
Coach – Need to know
Responsible for ensuring the Team knows the rules and
requirements for the current year’s Challenge
 Details on FIRST® website:
http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/thechallenge
 Be sure you access the following key elements:
 “Robot Game”
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Includes Field Setup, Missions, and Rules
“Robot Game Updates”
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Provides detailed interpretations and rule changes for missions and
game rules.
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Updated frequently throughout the season, until Friday of Tournament
weekend.
Project
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Generate and share an innovative solution to the Challenge theme
Core Values
 Judging rubrics

Coach: Set Team Goals
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Scale to experience level of team
 Samples

 Learn
to program (...learn to use subroutines)
 Learn about (topic of year)
 Participate in tournament
 Complete at least 1 mission (more for
experienced teams)
 Everyone participates
 HAVE FUN!
Mentor – The Technical
Advisor
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Technical Advisor to assist the coach
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Facilitates both robot design and programming skill sets
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Helps set achievable goals
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Encourages structured problem solving
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Follow typical engineering project models
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Experiment with one variable at a time
Graduates of FLL can work as mentors
The Robot Game
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Minimum Resources to
Start
A robotics kit
 A computer with Windows XP, Vista, or
Windows 7 (with Windows 7 use the latest
NXT software V2.1)
 A place to meet and practice

 Classroom
 Family
room
 Garage
 Community Room
Additional Materials
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2014 “World Class” Field Setup Kit (FSK) (only
available from FLL)
Each team must have access to a FSK
Mission Model Set
 Field Mat
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Practice table (design on FLL website)
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http://www.firstlegoleague.org/media/twocol.aspx?id=247
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Click on Field Setup link
4’x8’ bottom
 2x4 railing (for teams in Idaho this year) around the
sides (extra 2x4 thickness on one side for some Field
Setup kit models)

Robotics Kit Info

NXT-based kits
 $435
if ordered during FLL registration
 Ship to registered teams starting in
mid-May
 OK to purchase a retail kit or order
directly from www.legoeducation.us

EV3-based kits
 $499
if ordered during FLL registration
 Available from LEGO and retail as well
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Robotics Kit Info – NXTBased
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FLL NXT -- $435
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LEGO Education NXT Base Set -- $294.95
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Only from FIRST®
Complete kit with two tubs and sorting trays
NXT software
http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product/lego_mind
storms_education_nxt_base_set/2095
Fewer parts with one tub and sorting trays
No software
LEGO Retail -- $279.99

http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=8547

Fewer parts with no sorting trays
Includes NXT software

Robotics Kit Info – EV3Based

FLL EV3 -- $499
 Available
from LEGO Education
 Complete kit with two tubs and sorting trays
 EV3 software

LEGO Education EV3 Core Set -- $339.95
 Available
from LEGO and via retail
 Fewer parts with one tub and sorting trays
 No software

LEGO Retail – no information available
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Differences between NXT Kits
Part
FLL Kit
Retail Kit
Education Kit
NXT Brick
1
1
1
Motors
3
3
3
Touch Sensors
2
2
2
Light Sensors
1
0
1
Sound Sensors
1
0
1
Distance Sensors
1
1
1
Color Sensors
0
1
0
Rechargeable Battery
Yes
No batteries
Yes
NXT Software
Yes
Yes
No -- $80
Sorting Trays
2 boxes
No
1 box
Part Count
1,000+
612
431
$435
$280
$295
Price
Differences between EV3 Kits
Part
FLL Kit
Education Kit
EV3 Brick
1
1
Motors
3
3
Touch Sensors
2
2
Light Sensors
0
0
Gyro Sensors
1
1
Ultrasonic Sensors
1
1
Color Sensors
1
1
Rechargeable Battery
Yes
Yes
Mindstorms software
Yes
Sold separately; $99.95
2 boxes
1 box
??
Probably about ½ FLL Kit
$499
$339.95
Sorting Trays
Part Count
Price
Limits on LEGO Parts
(based on the 2013 season)
This is the list for Brick (1) – May be RCX,
NXT, or EV3
 Motors (4) – Any MINDSTOMS motors
 As many sensors as you like but only from
this set – touch, light, color, rotation,
ultrasonic, or gyro
 They must all be LEGO-manufactured
MINDSTORMS sensors
 Note: The HiTechnic color sensor is not
allowed

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The Game
 Table
 FSK: Mat and
Mission Elements
 Build instructions
online
The Game
Tournament Time
3 Game Rounds
2.5 minutes each
Best score of three
How many missions can you accomplish:
strategy, cost-benefit
(Approx) Field Challenge
Timeline
Assume 12 week season (24 meetings)

4 weeks: Build Foundation
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6 weeks: Complete Challenge
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2 weeks: Practice / Minor changes

You may need to adjust these
suggestions based on the time you have
available to meet with your team
Build a Foundation
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Introduce techniques and concepts
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Build or bring demos
Discuss advantages and disadvantages
Let kids figure out how to apply concept to
Challenge
One approach: use 5-10 minutes at start
of each meeting to introduce concepts
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Pick 1-2 subjects per session
Can be more for first meetings / new teams
May stop about ½ way thru season –

A bit late to incorporate new concepts unless they
are stuck
Foundation: Sample
Concepts

Pick one or two new subjects per
session
 Structural
strength: bracing vs.
snapped pieces
 Gear
ratios: torque vs. speed
 Traction:
 Friction:
tracks vs. wheels
tires vs. skids
 Programming
techniques: linear vs.
loops vs. subroutines
Foundation: Mechanics

Robot basics: have team build 2-3
different robots with instructions
 e.g.
one per meeting
 Discuss “+”, “-” of designs
 Team
decides/combines for challenge robot
 Gives team general robot building and design
tradeoff experience

Build Field Kit
 Dedicate
1 meeting, divide up elements
 Ad hoc extra meeting for leftovers
Foundation: Divide and
conquer

Three basic robot functions:
 Locomotion:
how the robot moves
 Concepts:
motors, gears/pulleys,
wheels/tracks, friction, steering
 Navigation:
how it knows where to go
 Concepts:
time, sensors (rotation, touch,
light, ultrasonic)
 Robotic
Action: function it performs
 Concepts:
dumping
pushing, grabbing, lifting ,
Foundation: Programming

Introduce basic programming
 Next
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week’s 2 training sessions!
Introduce sensors
 If
meetings start before Challenge is
announced, can use mini-challenges
to introduce concepts
 Calibration
of light sensor
Address the Challenge

Team must learn mission and rules:
 Send
home copy and learn missions and rules
 Discuss
and test understanding at later team
meetings
 Can
 You
overlap with ‘build foundation’ meetings
might want to find a “rules expert”
among your team members
Get It Done
Considerations:
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Introduce “design rule” concept
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Shared, agreed upon design constants e.g.
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Motors B/C drive and motor C is on right
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Which end is ‘forward’
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Light sensor is always in port ‘3’
Programs need to share inputs/outputs
Attachments need to go together

Base robot with quickly interchangeable attachments,
or
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Attachments can’t interfere with those for other
missions
Target being done early (time for debug/rebuild)
Address the Challenge

Have team group missions
 Members brainstorm/generate
prioritized list:
 Can prioritize group by ease,
location, or points
 Can group by program or trips out
of base
 Individuals present and team selects
which to start with
 Refer to team goals for how many
to try
 Can add more if finish 1st set and still
have time
Practice Like the
Tournament
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Field Competition Runs (tournament rules)
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Start with individual missions/groups, then all together

2 ½ min, 2 members at the table at once
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Practice working under time pressure
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Switching between missions, programs
Try to limit big last minute changes to missions/robot
Managing Your Team
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Meeting Organization
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How often and how long to meet
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Most teams meet 1-3 times per week
After school, evenings, weekends as team desires
Some add extras as get closer to end
> 1 hr (set up and take down)
< 3 hrs (attention span)
At least 2 adults present during meetings –
can use parents who take turns
Set ground rules -- E.g. don’t turn kids loose to
walk home by themselves after dark
Refreshments / snacks ??
Team Kick-off Meeting
Every child brings parent/guardian
 Set expectations with both
 Send kids off to build with LEGO parts
 Get assistant to help
 Build with instructions, like the
Constructopedia or ORTOP assembly booklet
 Something they can all do at once
 Explain the real situation to the parents

Parent Involvement
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Explain program/FLL philosophy
 Success = Participation
Explain team rules (attendance, respect,
...)
Discuss participation commitment for kids
Review costs and funding sources
Communicate about tournaments
Solicit help
You Have A Team, Now
What?
(Time Management)

Divide the season
 Build
A Foundation
 Address
 Get
the Challenge
It Done
 Practice
like the Tournament
Address the Challenge

Pick up all information about the challenge from
FIRST® website when details announced on
August 26th
 Missions
 Rules
 Field setup
 Game Updates (grows during the season)
 Project
 Core Values
Address the Challenge

Team decides how to divide
responsibilities
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A) Builders / Programmers
B) Mission based (build/program by mission)
C) ??
Need duplicate coverage for illness/absences
Probably want area specialists (build,
program, research, etc.) BUT
Recommended ground rule: Everyone
contributes to all aspects of team’s work
The Project
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Research
Project Timeline (Approx.)
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1 wk: Basic Research
2 wks: Narrow and Select Project Topic
1 wk: Focused Research
6 wks: Conduct Project / Prepare Presentation
2 wks: Practice and Present to Others
These tasks run concurrently with the Field
Challenge Timeline on the previous slide
Foundation: Structured
Problem Solving
Teach them elements of structured
approach to solving large problems

Defining problem

Brainstorming

Evaluating alternatives

Choosing alternative

Implementing

Evaluating & testing
Practice Like the
Tournament

Judging Panels (Robot Design, Project, Core Values)

Use Coach Handbook rubrics

Parents as judges

Work on smooth, clear delivery

Ask a variety of questions

Practice teamwork exercises
Final Advice:
Set Expectations For a Positive Tone

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Encourage risk taking
 It’s OK to fail – they are learning
opportunities
 Key is to manage the risk
Encourage experimentation
Expect failure – focus on what is learned
as a result
Problem solving takes time – Edison’s
experience with light bulb filament
With All the Focus on the
Robot and the
Challenge…
Don’t Forget the Judging
Robot Design Judging

Panel of “experts” interviews teams
 Robot
design: Creativity and robustness
 Programming: Creativity and robustness

Prepare the team to:
 Give
a 1 minute overview of their robot design
noting “sources of inspiration” (Under review)
 Answer questions about the design of the
robot and its program
 Demonstrate at least one mission on the
challenge field

Bring a printout of the program
65
Project Judging

Another good learning opportunity
 Research
skills and presentation skills
(remember the marketing kid? )
 Good engineering requires research and
communication
Must be a live presentation
 Format – includes setup time

5
minute presentation, 5 minute interview
 Posterboards, skits, models, Powerpoint (not the
best format, can waste time with setup), . . .
Core Values Judging
A separate 10 minute judging session
 Teams will do a surprise teamwork activity
 Teams will bring a Core Values “tri-fold” or poster
with them and give a short, less than 2 minutes,
presentation on the contents
 Judges interact with teams to evaluate how the
teams meet the FLL Core Values

Core Values Poster
FLL Core Values Team
Observations

Tournament officials observe teams during
tournaments at all activities

Looking for exceptional positive or negative
demonstrations of FLL Core Values throughout
the day

Observations can impact a team’s score either
positively or negatively
FLL Core Values Best
Practices

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Youngsters design, build, and program their
robots
Youngsters are responsible for project work
During tournament, two team members are
at the table; no adults
During tournament, team members confer
with referees to discuss issues; sign off on
scoresheet; no adults
Tournament guidelines should be in effect at
team meetings.
What if …?

Teams may use software or mechanical
designs that they find on the Internet

Good engineers build on the design work
of others and don’t reinvent the wheel

We encourage the use of our building
instructions to get your team started with
its first robot

But, there are responsibilities that go with
this!!
Use of Third Party Materials



Team decides what to use and why they want to
use it
They must be able to explain how the software
or mechanical design works and why they
included it
They must give credit to any such third party
material that they use (Bring your “sources of
inspiration” list to the Robot Design judging)
Final Advice

Keep Meetings Fun


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Usually means hands on LEGO building every meeting
Be flexible

Help keep them on task, but ultimately it is their project

The journey is as important as the result
Watch for teaching moments

Engineers need ‘hard skills’


Mechanical Design, Programming, Analysis, Problem
Solving, Experimentation, and Documentation
AND ‘soft skills’

Timeliness, Teamwork, Tact and Compromise,
Confidence, Courtesy, Perseverance, and Planning
Final Advice: Budgeting
Resources


Physical resource effectiveness limits:

No more than 2 (3 max) at one keyboard

No more than 2-3 building one item

Can’t research presentation and program robot on
same computer at same time
Consider time sharing

2 computers, one robot kit; divide team

1/3 building, 1/3 programming, 1/3 researching

Rotate during meeting
What’s Next?!
•
Pull together a team
•
Get registered:
https://my.usfirst.org/fll/tims/site.lasso
•
Download the Coaches Handbook:
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamreso
urces
•
Pages 6-9 give you a nice to do list for the summer
•
Attend the two introduction to programming
webinars next week with expert Greg Greer!
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Important Websites
• FLL Coach/team Resources:
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/t
eamresources
• UI Extension Idaho ROKS FLL hompage:
http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/4h/roboti
cs/rob9-14
• Team registration:
https://my.usfirst.org/fll/tims/site.lasso
• 2014 FLL WORLD CLASS Challenge:
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2
014fllworldclass
76
We’re glad you’re jumping
into FLL!
•
I am here to serve you all and
help you as you take on this
program!
•
Please feel free to email with any
questions regarding FLL, the
season, getting started, etc.
•
Good luck!
•
Have fun!
Web site:
http://www.uidaho.edu/extension/4h/robotics
Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
(208) 885-6299
77