If your kids had already started the competition training-
research, some robot design, contemplating the missions, etc. I would
take them to the tournament. Nothing deflates a child like wasted time
and effort when it involves work.
My advice to
the team below to "not enter" was based off of a team that had not
started anything yet- no robot, no training field, no research project-
with 2 weeks to go.
If you have
something- anything-, let them hash it out in front of the judges. They
will better understand what needs to happen next year. My kids were far
more self driven and seemed more in command of this year's team with
the experience they got with just one year's competition under
their belts.
If your research got
derailed for any reason, get them to practice telling the judges what
they learned from their research journey; how it changed and why, and
what research would still like to do. It's kinda like a science fair
project in that respect- the projects that turned out as the hypothesis
predicted don't always win. Sometimes the kids who figured out they
needed more input, but can explain what they learned so far, are the top
dogs in the race. At the end of your presentation practice time, have
mock judges; yourself, parents, siblings, and always get the kids to
speak up if they aren't asked, "what did you learn from your research?"
They should volunteer the best tid bits if they aren't directly asked
about it.
Perhaps go in with the attitude
that is a trial year and expect your team to uphold
the FLL core values. Anything can happen as far as awards, but for us,
that wasn't the point of our first competition and the kids came away
with a greater understanding of the general experience, a good attitude and a drive for this year's competition.
Good luck to your team,
Brandy
From: Brian Hardy <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 9:58 AM
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Very new team
Hi all,
I saw this response to Rajesh's book question and now I have
doubts about competing this year.
We are a
division I completely rookie team - we've had our robot kit a couple
week longer than Rajesh, but that's about it. The team is getting into
the project and has just started building a robot, but neither is
approaching presentable as rapidly as would be necessary to do terribly
well (the project has had to take a radical turn, as they'd chosen a
food and factor that don't often combine in a way that causes
contamination - both have issues, just not with each-other - They COULD
have a robot in time, but only if everything they try works the first
time - Did I mention they and I are complete rookies? I'm not holding my
breath).
So, we're registered for a local
tournament (on 11/12), should we take whatever we have at that point, or
go as spectators? (If spectators, some guidance on how to cancel would
also be most
helpful).
And,
thanks to all of you who take the time to answers all these newbie posts
- I've found them all to be most respectful and extremely informative.
Brian
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