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First Lego League in Virginia and DC

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Sender:
First Lego League in Virginia and DC <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 28 Oct 2015 14:54:45 -0400
Reply-To:
Frank Levine <[log in to unmask]>
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From:
Frank Levine <[log in to unmask]>
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To: "Stuart F. Rawlings" <[log in to unmask]> cc: "<[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]>
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Also, set expectations properly.  Last year, I was very upfront about the
fact that advancing out of the regional round is hard.  My team knew it,
and so did the parents.  Remember that "what we learn is more important
than what we accomplish".  If your kids are learning, you're doing it
right.  We didn't advance, and everyone left happy.

Regarding core values, just start doing teamwork exercises with the team.
Some that we have done:

* For all of these, observe the team and fill out the core-values ruberick
that is available from FLL - that's exactly what the judges will be doing.
After they finish, ask them a few questions about how the team worked
together, etc.

* Take a pile of Lego's (maybe 100) and have the team sort them into 4
catagories.
* Give them a box of toothpicks and mini-marshmallows and have them build
the tallest structure they can
* Do the "lost at sea" challenge (
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__insight.typepad.co.uk_insight_2009_02_lost-2Dat-2Dsea-2Da-2Dteam-2Dbuilding-2Dgame.html&d=BQIBaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=J5fb0ELkRoh7TzAGYz99sSMvB-c7i4AC0HDT2OVPrww&m=4FOzIz9NkfXgoUkWgsdwV-aQd1XkMWHr1nCdJKCkGWc&s=SQZeyeWPsoniVPC-2wo8DY2ciEQ5lHDhZM_tmo-lzTs&e= 
)
* Do the "lost on the moon" challenge (
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__insight.typepad.co.uk_insight_2009_02_moon-2Dlanding-2Da-2Dteam-2Dbuilding-2Dgame.html&d=BQIBaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=J5fb0ELkRoh7TzAGYz99sSMvB-c7i4AC0HDT2OVPrww&m=4FOzIz9NkfXgoUkWgsdwV-aQd1XkMWHr1nCdJKCkGWc&s=uhmExt8_IS7HbtQb9TOBxyX3yBliuEMKBE0Pr4Iizms&e= 
)

The tournament challenge won't be known until the day of the tournament, so
there's only so much you can do to practice.

Hope this helps,
Frank

On Wed, Oct 28, 2015 at 2:39 PM, Stuart F. Rawlings <[log in to unmask]
> wrote:

> 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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