Welcome to the Trash Trek season. Everyone is excited about the robot and missions, but that is just part of First Lego League. In addition to robot performance, teams will participate in Core Values, Project/Research and Robot Design judging sessions. These components are a big part of First LEGO League. Here is some information to help you prepare.
Judging Rubric
Judges use a rubric to score teams in the judging rooms. The rubric for all judging rooms can be downloaded at http://www.firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/Official_Event_Info/combined-rubrics-2015.pdf. At the end of the tournament, you should receive a copy of the rubric for your team. To prepare, have your team review the rubric.
Team Information Sheet
For each judging room, have a Team Information Sheet. You can find the template at http://www.firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/Official_Event_Info/TeamInfoSheet-fixed-12-2-11.pdf. The team information sheet helps the judge remember the team. Also, judges love it when teams introduce themselves.
Project Judging Room
For Project, you will have 5 minutes, including setup time, to present your solution. After you present, there will be a 5 minute Q&A.
Robot Design
This is an opportunity for the team to discuss and demonstrate their robot. Plan for a 10 minute judging session. There will be a mission table setup for the team to use. Teams should be prepared to run missions and discuss how they built and programmed their robot. I would highly recommend having some program print outs. Not all of your programs, just what you want to highlight. If your team chooses to prepare a technical notebook that shows the evolution of the strategy, robot and programming, that can be beneficial.
Core Values
For Core Values, teams will be given a challenge and less than 5 minutes to conduct the challenge. After the challenge, there will be a brief Q&A session. There is very high probability the team will be asked about Gracious Professionalism, Core Values and Coopertition™.
Judging Rooms
Judging sessions are closed sessions. The team plus 3 observers (two coaches/mentors and one historian are allowed to observe). You can just send in the team and no observers. To demonstrate core values, teams should be silent while waiting outside a judging room. Judging rooms are typically class rooms. You will need bring in all your presentation supplies. (Note, Robot Design will have a mission table setup. You do not need to provide mission components.)
Helpful Resources
www.eepurl.com/bpeH5j - StartingPoints Weekly Core Values Challenge Newsletter
www.ev3lessons.com – great team resources
www.techbrick.com - worksheets, printable mat and elements images
www.masteringlegorobot.com - Shared lessons and resources from an experienced coach and judge
www.fllstartingpoint.com – Shared lessons and resources from an experienced coach and judge.
www.va-dcfll.org/teams/team-resources - VA-DC FLL Resources Page
I hope you find this information useful. First Lego League is a community of volunteers and there are many people and resources for teams. If you have questions about judging, please contact me at [log in to unmask]. If the answer to your question is likely to benefit the group at large, I will respond via the list serve. I would also encourage you to volunteer at a tournament. Volunteering to judge is one the best ways to learn. Sign-up to volunteer at http://va-dcfll.org/volunteer/volunteer-form/.
Scott Rakestraw
Judge Advisor