Sarah,
First and foremost- there is no cause for embarrassment. The whole experience is about the kid's learning. Any embarrassment is usually on the part of the adults who have misplaced perceptions of the meaning of the competition(s).
The judging rooms are closed to all except the team members and their mentors. So, no need to worry there.
As to logistics, give them a simple problem to solve and evaluate their experience using the rubric. This takes between 10-20 minutes to practice. Since you already have the challenge under control, you will be prepared! Remind your team that they are judged throughout the competition as to core values. There are judges watching throughout, not just in a little room. Ask them to treat each other according to the ethos expressed in the core values and gracious professionalism and, again, all will be well. Most of all, stress that they are there to learn and have fun.
Hope this helps.
Stuart Rawlings
Technology Education CSMS
Adult Education- GED BCAT
Yearbook Advisor CSMS
Robot Team Coordinator CSMS
Track Coach CSMS
Cave Spring Middle School
4880 Brambleton Ave.
Roanoke, VA. 24018
540- 772-7560
________________________________________
From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Sarah Oden [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 2:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] New Team- HELP prep for tournament
Our team has only been together for 2 months (none of the children knew each other before the team was formed) and has met a total of 10 times (between 1-2 hours each time). We started from scratch with no materials and struggled to raise funds to purchase our robot, field kit and table supplies. Our robot equipment arrived 2 weeks ago. None of the kids had any prior mindstorm experience nor coding knowledge, so they built the base robot according to instructions last week. We have limited availabilty to meet, so each child has taken a turn bringing the robot home and experimenting with the program to learn it. Then they come back and share what they discovered with the team. They are still learning how the program works and have not been able to successfully complete a mission yet.
While waiting for the robot equipment we spent our time working on the project, so we feel confident there.
We haven't done a whole lot with the core values. Our meeting times have been very few and short and I'm concerned bc our "team" hasn't really connected yet. I know that will be blaringly obvious in the core values judging session.
My question- How do we best prepare for the tournament judging sessions?
We have 2 weeks until our tournament and can only meet twice, each time for 2 hours max. (Our library meeting space is very limited and parent schedules have been hard to work with)
HELP! I don't want these kids to be embarrassed or upset when they are on display in front of the judges. How do we communicate our story without giving a lot of excuses but highlighting our struggles in a positive way?
Thanks,
Sarah
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