Transcript S “Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.” E M A A FIRST LEGO League Robotics Engineering our Future NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory.

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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
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FIRST LEGO League Robotics
Engineering our Future
NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
2007-2008 FLL Outreach Goals
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• History: From 2001-2003 a local non-profit
organization held a FLL regional tournament in
Chicago in partnership with Chicago Public
Schools. When funding and support for this
regional ended, most Chicago Public elementary
schools stopped participating in FLL competitions.
• Our Goal: To revive the level of interest and
participation in FLL within Chicago Public
Schools.
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2007-2008 FLL
Outreach Strategies
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Phase I - Our 2007-2008 FLL school based recruitment drive
started at the top:
• Market FLL to administrators (principals, district
administrators)
• Get their commitment
• Allow them to identify coaches/volunteers
• Have them select or identify students for the team
Phase II -Once coach(es) identified by administrators we began:
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Training on the fundamentals and core values of FLL
Explaining the role and responsibilities of a coach
Covering rules of the Challenge
Training on constructing robots and using Mindstorms
software
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
2007-2008 FLL
School, Parent, Community Involvement
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Phase III – Create by-in with FIRST LEGO League Kick-off’s
• Asked each school to hold a kick-off event for their FLL
program by inviting parents, local community members,
potential business sponsors, and the media.
• Explained FLL and the importance of parental involvement.
Assigned interested adults to various roles to support the team.
• Sourced parents, community members, and businesses for
technical volunteers (engineers, programmers, and others) who
could assist with designing and programming the robots.
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2007-2008 FLL
Mentoring
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Phase IV – Weekly mentoring support
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• Scheduled weekly mentoring visits at each school to assist
teams in all phases of the Challenge
• Provided support to coaches in assisting students to problem
solve and find solutions to programming challenges, robot
design and functionality, and basic research skills.
Phase V – Volunteers and other mentors
• Created the High School Robotics Mentoring Program
• Pooled resources from our university partnerships to recruit
faculty and student volunteers from engineering, science, math
and pre-service teacher programs.
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
2007- 2008 Regional Expansion/ Growth
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Current Teams
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• Chicago Public Schools (4)
• Chicago Archdiocese (1)
• North Chicago School District (1)
Chicago
Public
Schools
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New Teams 2008-2009
NASA
SEMAA
Chicago
North Chicago
School
District
Archdiocese
of
Chicago
• Chicago Public Schools (10)
• Museum of Science & Industry (2)
• NASA SEMAA Chicago (1)
• North Chicago School District (2)
• Homewood/Flossmoor School District (1)
• Community Organizations (3)
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
2007-2008 FLL Accomplishments
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• Secured one national (FIRST) and three local
(Motorola) scholarships to assist teams with
purchase of LEGO Mindstorms kits and registration
• Surpassed original goal of two teams by adding three
additional teams resulting in five rookie team
registrations
Turbo Robo a unique team building workshop that:
• Increased teams technical knowledge and skills
• Provided training for coaches and parents
• Demonstrated the importance of teamwork
• Supported peer-to-peer learning
• Secured $10,000 program donation from Discover
Financial Services to support FLL and related
activities
• Integrated NASA educational content in robotics
utilizing the AEL and during team practice sessions
to support all phases of the FLL Challenge
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
2007-2008 FLL Highlights
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Team 6406 the St. Ethelreda Eagle Explosion
qualifed to compete in the Illinois State
Tournament.
The entire Blue Eagle Science club and parents
came out on a zero degree day to cheer on
the team and support their children.
Setting goals and working on a timeline
helped this team successfully extend their
season and participate with 63 of the best
FLL teams in the state.
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
Plan FLL Kick-Off Events
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Eagle Explosion, Team 6406 from St.
Ethelreda School kicked off their rookie
season by having a whole school FIRST
LEGO League assembly followed by an
outdoor balloon launch.
Parents, community members, local political
officials, and the media were invited to share
in the excitement.
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
Develop Sponsorships & Corporate Support
A partnership established between NASA SEMAA Chicago
and Discover Financial Services benefits our FIRST LEGO
League efforts in North Chicago, Illinois at Neal Elementary
School, sponsorship of our annual teambuilding event, Turbo
Robo and hosting rookie resource and help sessions from
other FLL teams in the region.
The entire SWAT
Team from Arlington
Heights, IL made a
special visit to
Pershing West to
provide an afternoon
of technical
assistance, research
presenation advice,
and general tips with
two of our FLL
teams.
SWAT team members give Pershing West Puma’s a short
course in LEGO Mindstorms programming.
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
See The Future….Then Choose
a Way to Shape It
High School Robotics Mentoring Initiative
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Understanding the importance of building STEM
Skills in young adults as well as providing an
opportunity to give back, our NASA program
created a unique opportunity for high school
students to become involved in FIRST robotics
by mentoring FIRST LEGO League teams.
High school students were recruited from our
home base school, Marine Military Academy and other
Chicago Public high schools, Bronzeville Military Academy,
and King College Prep, to mentor and provide tutoring in
math to our five FLL teams.
High School students receive service learning hours for their
participation in the program and travel to local and national
FIRST Robotics events.
Marine Military Academy HS Robotics Mentors
Work with students from Kellman and Pershing West schools
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
Leverage existing partnerships
The Museum of Science and Industry is one of our partner institutions. In
October, our program participated in their annual Fall Fling and displayed
and discussed FIRST LEGO League Robotics as part of our NASA program.
We approached the programming staff in November with the idea of
establishing a FLL team at the museum and providing demonstrations of the
FLL challenge for museum visitors.
Our proposal was accepted and we provide ongoing LEGO Mindstorms
training on Saturdays for the Science Minors, a trained cadre of high school
students that conduct experiments and demonstrations throughout the
museum, to run missions and market FLL. In spring 2008 we will have open
LEGO Mindstorms workshops on Saturdays for the public that will also
include information on FIRST LEGO League.
FIRST LEGO League teams will work and assist students in the Mars
Robotics Rover workshop as part of NASA SEMAA’s Astro Jam event to be
held at the museum in April.
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
Create Cool Events
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2007 Turbo Robo
3,2,1….LEGO!
Imagine…..8 FLL teams + 4 hours non-stop, inter-team
LEGO Mindstorms building, programming, and table runs =
gracious professionalism at its best!
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
Incorporate Technology: The NASA AEL
FLL teams have access to the
NASA Aerospace Education
Laboratory (AEL) a state-of-the-art,
electronically enhanced,
computerized classroom that puts
cutting-edge technology at the
fingertips of middle and high
school aged students.
Students work in the AEL to design,
build and program LEGO
Mindstorm robots for FLL
competitions and simulated NASA
missions to the Moon, Mars and
beyond.
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Create New Opportunities
NASA SEMAA Chicago has provided science programming in the
Chicago Park District’s summer day camp program since 2005.
In the summer of 2008, our STEM in the Parks Program will
expand to five parks directly impacting 150 4th -8th graders and
exposing over 3,000 youngsters to FIRST LEGO League robotics
over a three week period.
Campers will build and program LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots
to accomplish missions from the 2007-2008 Power Puzzle
Challenge. We will end our camp with an inter-park nonqualifying event to be held at the end of July.
The STEM in the Parks program will also be implemented in the
North Chicago Park District in the summer of 2008.
NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
Involve Families: The Family Café
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"We believe that children, parents/families, and
teachers are partners in the educational process,
and must be respected and appreciated for their
individual needs and roles.”
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Parents, family members and community
stakeholders are encouraged to volunteer during
FLL team practices and support sessions by
providing expertise, tutoring and other STEM
and literacy support skills.
They are also encouraged to volunteer at
regional events as needed and assist teams with
fundraising efforts.
Parents of FLL team members assist with programming
during a FLL Family Café Session
NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
FLL Expansion:
Tips for Outreach Success
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Eliminate the Fear Factor
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Become a resource
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Clarify your level of participation/support
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Keep expectations on both sides within reasonable limits
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Work smarter not harder
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Be able to assess/identify challenges that exist or may
arise with potential teams
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
Tailor Benefits you can offer to
New Teams
NASA AEL Mentored FLL Teams
Benefits
 Robotics curriculum designed to meet skill levels
and unique needs of students to ensure success
 Participate in FIRST LEGO League workshops, summer camps, and nonqualifying events with our veteran FLL teams
 Project based learning aligned with National and Illinois State
science, mathematics Learning Standards
 Connect with NASA Robotics Alliance Web resources
 Incorporate NASA educational content and robotics missions
 Link teams to FLL Website and encourage participation in forum discussions
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Use FLL to Increase Science Literacy
and Add Value to Your Community
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FLL team members learn science by doing
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Partner with institutions of higher education,
science centers, and museums to extend value of FLL
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Bridge the participation gap for historically underserved
and underrepresented K-12 youth in FIRST LEGO League
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Include community stakeholders
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Establish ownership of team and instill FLL core values
with students and families
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Increase STEM (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics) literacy in K-12 students. Studies show
students who participate in programs such as FLL score
higher on standardized tests.
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“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”
FIRST LEGO League
“Let your dreams take flight!
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NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory