our team is back to the nano technology this year- foregoing several concrete options- isn't nano tech so much more interesting at this age?- pains me- but what they want to do- only one kid kind totally understood the tech last year- they all agreed to do last year- and all participated- we even as a brand new first team did all four components- if you are going to do it - do it all- the kids will feel better. My kids didn't have the best innovative solution last year- but they thought they did- they learned a lot and had fun- do the research- it doesn't have to be as big a deal as one might make it- mine worked hard last year but they chose a tough topic (and apparently plan to again)- and the judges are excessively kind and make the kids feel good- they might not "win" but they experience a presentation- they worked hard and they own it. I also noticed mine last year got their presentation done in the last 3-4 weeks- the kids will not leave feeling badly- judges give great positive feedback and also make suggestions (which are helpful)- I honestly never thought to "not do the whole thing." It denies the kids the experience and says you're not ready to "present." Our project last year although they put a ton of time into it and was somewhat mediocre per the rubric- they were proud of it and learned a lot. they still feel really good about it- and I shared the judges feedback with them. Why would some teams do half of the program- many of us are new! We are second year- love my kids- but they are once again off on a tough subject- may not be their strength- maybe they will surprise me- they will learn no matter what- Laura second year coach On Oct 5, 2010, at 9:37 PM, Stuart & Lori Roll wrote: > Another thing to keep in mind is that the research project judging > is done privately with only the kids, the coach and the two judges > in the room. It is about as un-intimidating and un-embarrassing as > it can be made. Even if their project is incredibly bad (as my > first team's was - ten 4th graders that just didn't get > nanotechnology) no one else will know and the kids will have grown > through the experience. > > The alternative is to say it's okay to just "give up" which isn't > ever a good model to teach the kids. > > Good luck! > > Stuart > > From: Donna L. Cornwell > Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 9:13 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] rookie coach and team looking for some help > > The first time I coached, I asked one of my team parents to come in > and work with kids on the research project. Two or three kids took > the lead on the project and did the research and wrote a rap song > and a presentation. They taught the other kids about the subject > and gave them roles in the presentation. I had the build/design > group teach the research project kids about what they were doing and > the research project kids spent some time solving a couple of > missions, but were not involved in building the base robot. We only > had one mindstorms kit and with a large (9 or 10 kid) team, the > research project made it so that I could keep everyone busy during > the meetings. > > I urge you to do the research project; I expect you will find at > least one team member who really gets excited about it and takes a > lead role. > > Donna Cornwell > Coach, The FEPs > > On 10/5/2010 7:34 PM, Jasmine Geddis wrote: >> >> I would encourage your team to still attempt to do a research >> project. It is part of the whole experience. Our first year as a >> rookie team we were not ready at all and probably had a weak >> research project but the team still presented it with enthusiasm. >> They still remember how unprepared they were but each year they >> improve and comment how it was a learning experience. >> >> Jasmine Geddis >> Team #2423 Wii Bots >> On Oct 5, 2010, at 7:09 PM, Adam Coonin wrote: >> >>> A quick question, and sorry if it is obvious to everyone. Can our >>> rookie team enter a tournament and not present a project? the >>> team is very new and is much more focused on the robot game >>> without much time for the project in the rookie year. We know we >>> would not be eligible to win the tournament. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> Adam >>> >>> 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-ADMIN-L. >>> Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-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-ADMIN-L. >> Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-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-ADMIN-L. > Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-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-ADMIN-L. > Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-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-ADMIN-L. 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