After you register, they will send you a welcome kit that includes a coach's handbook and a nifty pin :). The Coach's handbook is spot ON in scheduling and can provide a sign of relief in trying figure out what you're suppose to be doing when. That usually arrives in late May or early June.
If you're able to keep up with it the first year, you'll be on the ball. Our first year, we weren't able to keep up with their schedule because of design and robotic programming set backs, so failing to be super at all parts, the kids focused more on one part than the other 3; competed, learned a ton, had a great time, and came away with a renewed vigor for the following season.
The challenge is "seniors", and there are no other focuses of research except that broad topic. The kids will have to research and brainstorm an idea that they invent, improve, or re-purpose to help and aid seniors in their lives. Know that you do not have to physically invent the product, you just have to conceive of the idea. (The first year, when my team won the regional research award, they "invented" a mutated gene therapy concept for a prenatal condition.) However, as you make it higher and higher up the tournament circuit, the products actually invented receive preference. But don't focus on that. You can start on the researching/brainstorming and team work exercises today if you feel like it. :) I actually felt like it helped us a great deal our second season to have spent less time on the research, which was already 3/4 done by the time season started.
Regards,
Brandy
________________________________
From: Jeff Lavezzo <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2012 9:04 PM
Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] Charlottesville?
Thanks everyone! So encouraging. One of the problems I've had is not knowing what the 'season' is. When do people get teams together, plan, etc? When do challenges come out and how do you know how to be prepared for the challenges?
I'd be happy to here more about the possible used NXT kits.
I'd thought about starting a team last fall and realized I just missed the competition time, and besides that we wouldn't have had training time to be ready for the competition. I didn't find this email list till yesterday. I have a feeling that it's going to make the difference between feeling like I'll be making everything up as I go along (with the possibility of being all wrong) and everyone feeling successful.
Cheers!
Jeff
On Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 9:21 AM, Sonya Shaver <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Yes, I totally second that! I started a team four years ago for my child and it has been the best experience! If you can start now by getting together, coming up with a team name, and doing some practice and tutorials with the programming and building, you will be way ahead of the curve in the fall. There is a lot you could do now. Good luck!
>
>
>Sonya in Harrisonburg
>
>
>
>On Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 6:00 AM, Steve Ruwe <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> 5 kids, 4 parents and a sponsor. Sounds like a team to me. I would suggest going to www.usfirst.org and under the FLL header review "Team stuff- Start a team"
>>
>>During my 7 years as a coach, we had to start teams from scratch 3 times (kids aging out, kids changing schools, etc)
>>
>>Best of luck
>>
>>Steve
>>
>>
>>________________________________
>>
>>From: "Jeff Lavezzo" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 9:21:19 PM
>>Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Charlottesville?
>>
>>Hi folks,
>>I'm totally new to mindstorms and am looking for a FLL group in Charlottesville for my 12 yr old daughter. I'm a software engineer and am glad to help with the team. Additionally, my company will sponsor a FLL team if I'm involved.
>>
>>
>>I think there are at least 1 other parent and 12 yr old daughter that I know who would join up and at most 2 other parents and three 11-12 yr old boys who would join.
>>
>>
>>Anyone know of FLL teams in Charlottesville?
>>
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Jeff Lavezzo
>>________________________________
>> To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".
>>VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to subscribe.
>>
>>________________________________
>>To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".
>>VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to subscribe.
>
>________________________________
>To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".
>VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to subscribe.
________________________________
To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".
VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to subscribe.
-- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".
-- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-ANNOUNCEMENTS-l.html to subscribe.
|
