Thank you, James, for sharing this. This is a great note for all. As a rookie coach last year, I found it challenging to get the team to focus on all the wonderful aspects of FLL during our weekly 1.5 hr meetings over several weeks. Somehow, it all worked out and we had a lot of fun in the process, especially discovering the great energy that all the teams and volunteers brought to our first tournament. What an experience! It reminds me of this bit from Shakespeare in Love:

Philip Henslowe: Mr. Fennyman, allow me to explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.

Hugh Fennyman: So what do we do?

Philip Henslowe: Nothing. Strangely enough, it all turns out well.

Hugh Fennyman: How?

Philip Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.

:)

And thank you, also, for the ideas of what to do in the off-season. Will look into these for this winter/spring.

Emily
Ancient Androids


On Tue, Oct 28, 2014 at 11:19 AM, Joan Harper-Neely <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
My team loved putting the board together. They displayed great team work and problem solving skills. 
Programming is not their strength right now. It is something that will improve with lots of opportunities and time. 

On Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 2:30 PM, Dale Glass <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Thanks for this reassurance, James! We too are a school-based team and don’t really start until late Sept after returning from outdoor ed.  We meet 1x week for 40 minutes as an after school class, so we’re struggling with time.  The kids are learning a lot and having fun, so it’s a complete success, whatever happens at the tournament.

 

-Dale Glass

NPS Cardinals

 

 

 

From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of groverf
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 1:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Project presentation

 

From the CyberTigers #5234,

Robot Bill is spot on with his comment.  We are a school based team that doesn't really get going until mid-September.  We meet twice a week for 2 hours and never have enough time to do "everything" to prepare for competition.  This is my fourth year coaching, and every team has been different--even with a 90% return rate year to year.

After the competition is complete, we move on to other activities that help teach the basic prinicples associated with programming, robot design, strategy, and just about anything else the team may be interested in.  Last year, after the season, we participated in the Hour of Code, held our own SumoBot competition, SpeedBot competition, and the ultimate challenge of Capture the Flag--RobotStyle.  The last challenge, without a doubt, was the favorite of every student.

Remember, what we discover is more important than what we win, and you'll be fine.

Best wishes for a great experience.

v/r,

James Garner
Coach and Pizza Delivery Guy for the CyberTigers
Team #5234

-----Original Message-----
From: Robot Bill <[log in to unmask]>
To: VADCFLL-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wed, Oct 22, 2014 9:23 am
Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] Project presentation




I'd like to add a footnote to this conversation if I may. Please don't fret too much over how much your team does or does participate in the off season.


The teams in FLL compete at all different levels. There are rookie teams and veteran teams. Some teams can compete at the qualifier-level, some at the state championship level and some at the World Festival level. They are ALL great teams.


Please do not compare your teams by how much you participate and how far you go in FLL. As long as your teams are having fun and learning, your seasons will be successful.

I am concerned that there might be rookie teams on this listserve who are reading these comments and *fretting* over how much they are doing with respect to the other teams in FLL. Do not worry. Do your best this year and try to learn from the others to prepare for next year. All teams had to be rookies at one time and they all go through the same growth process.


Do well, have fun and we'll see you at the tournaments!


Bil

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.



--

Joan Harper-Neely
National Board Certified Teacher
Technology & Children's Engineering Teacher
Cooper Elementary Magnet School for Technology
Google Voice Phone 757-255-8111

----
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:  This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the
intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential and/or exempt from
disclosure under applicable law.  If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, disclose
or distribute this message or any of the information contained in this message to anyone.  If you are not the intended
recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of this message and any
attachments.  Hampton City Schools may monitor e-mail messages to and from the Hampton City Schools
network.   Unintended transmission shall not constitute waiver of any privilege or confidentiality protected under
federal statutes, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act or any applicable laws.
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.