1. SWCS Robotics
Club
An Introduction to First Lego League

2. Programs from FIRST®
• FIRST = For Inspiration and Recognition of
Science and Technology
"To create a o Jr.FLL (Junior FIRST ® LEGO® League) 6-9 year-olds – initial
world where ORTOP pilot in 2006
science and
o FLL (FIRST ® LEGO® League) 9-14 year olds – started by ORTOP
technology
in 2001
are
celebrated.. o FTC (FIRST ® Tech Challenge) for high school students – initial
where ORTOP pilot in 2006
young o FRC (FIRST ® Robotics Competition) for high school students –
people not an ORTOP program but active in Oregon
dream of
becoming • ORTOP = Oregon Robotics Tournament &
science and Outreach Program
technology
o Organizes FLL tournaments
heroes"
o Oregon University System program
2

3. First Lego League
• For 9-14 year-olds (as of Jan 1, 2012)
• Mini engineering problem based on real world
problems
o 2012: Senior Solutions
o 2011: Food Factor
o 2010: Body Forward
• Two main parts
o Robot game
• A series of technical challenges for a Lego NXT robot to complete
o Research project
• Propose a solution to a real world problem and present it

4. The FLL Team Experience
• Miniature engineering project team with
o Creativity and teamwork
o Engineering principles:
requirements, alternatives, rapid
prototyping, testing, …
• Hands-on problem solving
• Insights into possible careers
• Illustrates multiple roles:
Designers, Builders, Programmers, Sales
and Marketing
• Coaches & mentors offer advice but
The youngsters do the work 4

5. Timeline
• August 28: Senior Solutions Challenge is released
• September 8: SWCS Robotics Club first meeting
• September 22: commitment date
• September, October, November: Develop solutions
• Early December: Qualifying tournament
o Attend one of ~25 tournaments, 15-20 teams each
o Total of ~450 teams, 3200 youngsters
• January: State tournament
o If qualify, attend one of 2 tournaments, ~60 teams each

6. Tournaments are
all-day events!
• Demonstrate robot on the Challenge playing
field – 3 opportunities
• Interaction with Robot Design Judging Panel
• Presentation to Project Judging Panel
o General presentation area specified by FLL to
enhance learning about the year’s theme
o Requires research by the team
o Develops presentation skills (the opportunity for
the developing sales and marketing youngsters)
• Core Values Judging Panel
6

7. Tournament
Awards
• Highest level awards (the Champions Awards)
and invitations to Championship Tournaments
require good results in Robot Design, Project,
Core Values, and Robot Performance
• Other awards also recognize outstanding
performance in each of the 4 categories
• ORTOP Young Team and Rookie Team awards
are given at Championship Tournaments
• Participation awards for all teams
7

8. FLL Team Costs
• Yearly Costs
o FLL Team Registration Fee: $225
o Oregon Qualifying Tournament Fee: $75
o Oregon Championship Tournament Fee: $50
o Field Setup Kit: $75
o Misc. including batteries, shipping: $50-$100
• Total: $425-$525
o Team member dues ~$50 each
• Due at commitment Sept 22.
o Fundraising and team sponsors may defray cost
8

9. FLL Core Values
• We are a team.
• We do the work to find solutions with guidance from
our coaches and mentors.
• We know our coaches and mentors don’t have all the
answers; we learn together.
• We honor the spirit of friendly competition.
• What we discover is more important than what we
win.
• We share our experiences with others.
• We display Gracious Professionalism™ and
Coopertition™ in everything we do.
• We have fun.
9