FIRST LEGO League Oregon Champs: Announcement 2 - What to Prepare

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon Championship Teams,

In this post you will find:

1. Update on the team assignments (4 MORE teams needed to volunteer to move to Sunday)
2. Core Values Posters
3. Robot Design Executive Summary
4. Notes from Head Referee Tom Mosher
5. Payments - Due January 4

1) Update on the team assignments (4 MORE teams needed to volunteer to move to Sunday)

Team assignments will be posted on www.ortop.org (on the google spreadsheet) by 5pm on Friday. At this time, I still need 4 teams who requested Saturday to switch to Sunday. If I do not have any more volunteers teams will start to be contacted by email to be notified they are to have a switched day, even if that means their whole team will not be able to attend. Our tournaments must balance at 60 teams per event, with absolutely no wiggle room.

If your team requested Sunday, you can be very confident they will be competing on Sunday. Unless your team registered for Saturday by 5:05 pm on Tuesday, I can't guarantee anything at this time.

2) Core Values Posters

Core Values Posters are required for all teams at the Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Championship Tournament. Your team should create a poster that reflects the guidelines laid out on pages 4-5 of the ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge Guide. These posters will be taken into the Core Values judging room and the team should be prepared to talk about them for no longer than 1 minute after the Core Values' Challenge Activity. 

3) Robot Design Executive Summary

Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Championship Tournament Robot Design Judges will expect your 10-minute interview to begin with a concise 1-minute Robot Design Executive Summary. For advice in crafting your 1-minute presentation please see page 25 of the ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge Guide. Your presentation should naturally segue into the question and answer section of your team interview.

4) Notes from Head Referee Tom Mosher

Mission Notes:

1. Per R11, the Shark and Tank (M01) can only be loosely combined. For example, after the match if the ref gently shakes the Tank, the Shark should rattle around. R11 also applies to M10 with regard to the Bee model.
2. Teams who perform the Animal Conservation mission (M03) are expected to exhibit Gracious Professionalism and to not use a non-cooperative strategy. If a team uses a strategy that intentionally prevents the other team in the match from completing this mission, the referees may submit a Core Values Observation.
3. On the Panda slider model (M07), the location of the palm tree shown in the Challenge Guide (page 23) is incorrect. The palm tree will be positioned as shown in the kit Build Instructions (Bag 3, see page 1 and 31) - the palm tree will be placed and angled away from the red axle.

Variability:

The Refrigerator (from M04) is a good example of a model that can exhibit a lot of variability. For example, operating the Refrigerator by pushing on the plunger on the North side of the model may or may not result in the door re-closing as quickly as you expect. The behavior of the door is influenced by a lot of factors, including how far and how quickly the plunger is pushed and released. Robots that use a robust method will be rewarded with more consistent results.The refrigerator door is a very simple mechanism - so a model malfunction ruling is extremely unlikely.

Additionally, teams should expect similar mats to those they encountered at the Qualifying Tournaments. These mats are being stored in a rolled configuration to prevent ripping in storage and transit. The mats will be laid flat on Friday evening after the basketball game at Liberty High School, nothing will be added to the mats to help them flatten other than gravity and smoothing by hand; as per the setup directions in the 2016/2017 Robot Game Field Setup Guide.

Storage area at the competition tables:

Teams may either bring a small table or cart with them to the competition tables for their off-Field storage, or teams may use a 3rd team member to act as a table. The 3rd team member can only hold a container for the team - they cannot act as an additional Technicians. For safety reasons, nothing may be placed on the floor in the competition area.

Smartphones and Bluetooth:

Coaches and mentors are advised against smartphone and tablet use in the Pits, Practice Tables, and the Competition area. The use of smartphones by adults must be limited to such apps as running a stopwatch, taking pictures, or emergency communication. Specifically, the use of any bluetooth-enabled Mindstorms programming application is prohibited under the "no touch" rule, unless the team members are doing the work. Violating the no-touch rule may result in team disqualification.

"We do the work" and the no-touch rule:

The ORTOP "Core Values Observation Policy" includes the following statements (with some paraphrasing):

- We do the work with guidance from our coaches "We" here means the team members, not any adults or teen mentors.

- The team adults are to serve as mentors, not implementers

- Giving team verbal directives on programming and building, or during table competition, is a violation of the "no touch" rule.

- A single flagrant violation of the "no touch" rule - including programming the robot or giving direct instructions to the team during table competition - is basis for award demotion - including disqualification.

These guidelines apply not only at the tournament - they apply during all your team activities during the entire FIRST LEGO League season. 

5) Payments - Due January 4

Payments for the Championship were updated on the website yesterday. If your team does not have a green YES, you need to complete your team's tournament payment before January 4, 2017. Submit your payment by credit card, check, or purchase order from this website. 

Best Wishes,

Loridee

The 2nd Weekend Tournaments Are Coming!

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this post you will find:

1. Winter Is Coming - the ORTOP Cancellation Policy
2. Some Statistics and Advice from 1st Weekend Events
3. Winterhawks Tickets - Celebrate the season!
4. Call for coaching/team stories

1)  Winter Is Coming - the ORTOP Cancellation Policy

NO EVENTS ARE CANCELLED at this time.  ORTOP and the tournament directors are currently watching the weather very closely. Not only by watching the snowflakes out my window, but also by using weather websites; particularly NOAA and ODOT. We believe them when they tell us that Friday will bring warmer weather that will change our snow to rain and make the roads safer.  If that turns out to not be the case, here is what we will do:

ORTOP Inclement Weather and Event Cancellation PolicyThe safety of the team members and our volunteers is the most important consideration. The FIRST LEGO League Operational Partners for Oregon use that consideration to guide all decisions when deciding to cancel or delay an event.Oregon's FIRST LEGO League Affiliate Partners will cancel or delay an event using information from the US Weather Bureau to help us forecast if it would be safe for a majority of the teams/volunteers to travel to and from the event. If the site host closes their facility because of weather, health, and emergency related reasons, the event will be canceled.Coaches and parents must always assess their own travel route for safety and make their own decision to travel. Keep it in perspective. The safety of the kids is the most important consideration. Official information site for tournament cancellations or delays .In addition, ORTOP and Qualifying Tournament Directors will email to both the primary and emergency contact email addresses with notification or updates.The third method of contact is by phone using the emergency phone number provided by the coach.If any of this information has changed since October, please update your Qualifying Tournament Director.Please note: If an event is canceled it is impossible to reschedule it. Site hosts have booked their facilities months in advance. There is no time to reschedule prior to the Championship. State Championship slots left open by an event cancellation will be assigned by lottery from teams affected by the cancellation. 

2)  Some Statistics and Advice from 1st Weekend Events

The first weekend of events went well. Awards have been posted on the Oregon tournament page. 

We witnessed at some tournaments that the refrigerator model and the animal conservation model were stiffer than teams anticipated. This means that a well-used refrigerator from practice may close faster than a new refrigerator on a competition table. Your team should prepare for this!  With the conservation model the problem came with table bumping. If an excited team bumps into or pushes on a table it can make the gears bind. Please be mindful of the table so that this model functions correctly.

We also saw scores that varied greatly from last year. We learned that Animal Allies is a low-score game. 30 points is a good score for a team. That doesn't mean high scores are impossible. Last weekend G.E.A.R.S. set a high score of 235 points.

Other things we saw: 

• Teams did not read the new Interruption rules (D09 CORRECTION - R14 IS THE RULE, D09 IS THE DEFINITION), items being transported by the robot when the robot is interrupted will become the possession of the referee and removed from play and scoring.
• Teams forget that you can not reset the field nor touch ANYTHING outside of base except to interrupt your robot. If the field is not set how you think it should be, talk to your referee. Do not return objects your robot has moved in a previous launch, they must stay where they stop.
• Don't forget to put the wheels on the pet - and please leave the wheels (and all other table elements) at the table when your match is over! One event lost 3 sets of wheels and we do not have extras.
• Don't forget to load the Animal Conservation model, even if both teams are not going to attempt this model it gets a big item out of base to give your robot more space.

If your coach has not done so already, make sure they read the checklists and the It's Tournament Week! blog post.

3)  Winterhawks Tickets - Celebrate the season!

Celebrate all your team has accomplished with their families at a Winterhawks game!  We are thrilled to have these tickets donated for Oregon's FIRST teams to use. Join the fun as the Winterhawks take on TriCity!  Where your team shirts or tournament buttons so teams can find each other!

Request your ticket vouchers here

We also are happy to be able to include our volunteers in this activity! If you volunteer with ORTOP, please join us at the game.

4)  Call for coaching/team stories

While many of you are preparing for the end of the season. At ORTOP I'm thinking ahead to next season. That especially includes more resources for coaches. As you reflect on your team's season, please send me stories and advice that got you through. What surprised you? What really worked with your team? What inspired you to get through the challenges? What challenges nearly made you want to stop? I will use your emails along with a soon to be sent coach survey (please look for that to complete in the next few weeks) to add materials to the coach training workshops, prepare materials for future blogs, and to help all coaches who ask for help. New coaches, I especially need your insights! We only start once and it is new coaches who contact me most often. 

Good luck to all the teams competing this weekend!

Best Wishes,

Loridee

What to Expect at Your Qualifying Touranment

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

This weekend and next we will have ALL of the Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournaments. For a list of events please see our events page.
Today we will talk about:

1. What to expect at an Oregon Qualifying Tournament
2. Volunteers still needed at some events
3. Presentations at OMSI
4. Celebrate the Season wth the Winterhawks
5. FIRST 2017 STEM Equity Community Innovation Grant
6. Correction in the Coach Checklist *5 bonus coach points

1) What to expect at an Oregon Qualifying Tournament

The tournament will look different for the three different groups who are in attendance, spectators, volunteers, and teams.

Spectators

Spectators will enter the school and be guided by signs to the arena. This is the primary public area of the event. Here the family, friends, and invited guests of the teams will watch all of the teams compete in the robot table competition. The spectators will see each team compete in the robot game three times throughout the day. Their view will be of an 8' x 8' box which has two back to back ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge tables. Every few minutes 2 teams will approach the tables, one on each side. The teams will have 2.5 minutes to manipulate the models on the table to score points. The 2 teams may work together on one model that exchanges animals. The referees will talk with the teams. There may be a game announcer or emcee that explains the action, there may not. Spectators may also have access to a few other areas of the event, although this is not always the case.

Spectators make the table game fun for the teams. They are encouraged to cheer and celebrate all of the teams. Some teams are not able to bring their supporters as they have to travel or have parents who work on the day of the event.

Volunteers

Volunteers will be greeted upon arrival and directed to their assignment. If they did not complete their FIRST Volunteer registration including the background check (ran out of time) they will need to fill out a Walk-on Volunteer form.  Morning volunteers who arrive early may have time for a coffee and treat. Volunteers will spend most of the day "behind the scenes" in their role at the event. Judges will see every team and interact with them in their judging specialty. Referees will support teams and record all their robot accomplished during the match. Scorekeepers will record the referee sheets to give teams their score for each robot game round. Practice table volunteers will make sure all teams get the time they need on the practice tables to improve their robot throughout the day. Runners will get teams from place to place. Judge door queuers will help keep the entire tournament running on schedule and get to greet all of the teams as they arrive for judging. Regardless of their role, all volunteers will play a critical role in making the event truly remarkable for the teams.

 Teams

 Teams will be exposed to every aspect of the tournament. Teams will be greeted by Team Check-in volunteers who will make sure their team name and all of their information is correct. They will give the team their packet of information for the day which includes that team's specific schedule. Teams will set up their pit and go to the Opening Ceremony. After the ceremony the team will follow their specific schedule to attend a judging session and their first robot round. In the judging session the team will meet 2-3 judges and share all the hard work they've completed this season. In the arena teams will have their robot inspected and join another team at the competition table. In between activities, the team will work on improving their robot, meet other teams in the pit area, and practice for their judging sessions. The team will attend 3 different judging panels, one in each aspect of FIRST LEGO League; robot design, project presentation, and core values. The team will also enter the arena 3 times during the day. Once in the morning, once mid-way through the event, and one final afternoon run. After all of the judging and robot rounds have finished the teams will pack up their pit area, and return to the arena or designated space for the Closing Ceremony. During the closing ceremony the day will be recapped for the teams, volunteers, and spectators, awards and advancement will be distributed and the hard work and accomplishments of all of the teams will be celebrated. 

2) Volunteers still needed at some events 

Many events are still looking for volunteers across the state! All volunteers are registering using the FIRST volunteer system. If you are over 14-years-old and would like to help at a tournament please register today!  If you need help getting through the FIRST registration process, or can't find the event you are looking for please call ORTOP (503-486-7622) or email Loridee for help. Coaches may volunteer at events where their team is not participating. Parents and Coaches should list their team number on their profile to avoid conflict of interest at events. Parents may volunteer at any event!

3) Presentations at OMSI

OMSI is opening their lab to FIRST LEGO League Oregon teams again this weekend. Two time slots are still available if your team would like to use this opportunity to share their project solution with more people before their tournament. This is also a great opportunity to see the solutions created by other teams and to support other teams in our community by coming to watch!

4) Celebrate the Season with the Winterhawks

For many teams the competitive season will be ending in the next 2 weeks. That makes this next opportunity extra exciting! All Oregon FIRST teams have an opportunity to see the Winterhawks on December 28th! Tickets do need to be reserved in advance. Your team will receive vouchers that need to be exchanged at the Winterhawk ticket office in Portland to attend the game. This would make a wonderful end-of-season team activity for FIRST LEGO League teams.  If your team would like to attend the game please fill out this form. Join Oregon's other FIRST teams as we watch the Winterhawks take on the Tri-City Americans. Team shirts are encouraged. 

5) FIRST 2017 STEM Equity Community Innovation Grant

FIRST is looking for communities that are eager to expand FIRST for all students. Collaborations that would like to work to include more underserved students and/or minority students should send their letters of intent by January 20. Please see the press release for all of the details.  All organizations are encouraged to apply, non-profits and school districts especially.

6) Correction in the Coach Checklist *5 bonus coach points

Because many years the same things are needed for events I do make use of the email archive to make sure I don't forget to tell teams something very important. Yesterday's coaches' checklist still contained one reference to TRASH TREK, last year's FIRST LEGO League theme. It has been corrected on the blog to avoid confusion, but if you saw this "typo" consider yourself a skilled reader! You may have 5 bonus coach points added to your checklist total.  Don't know what coach point is, make sure you read yesterday's blog. Please be assured that all projects will involve ANIMALS as outlined in the ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge and Updates.

It's Tournament Week!!!

Greetings Oregon FIRST LEGO League! Oregon Qualifying

Tournaments begin this Saturday! 11 Tournaments will take place this weekend!

This special edition of the FIRST LEGO League Oregon Update is for current coaches. Please use this email as a check list to determine your team's readiness for their tournament either this weekend or next!

Whether your tournament is this week or next many teams are starting to panic about the upcoming deadline. This is a great time to set your goals for the tournament DO NOT INCLUDE AN AWARD IN YOUR TEAM GOALS - this sets a negative mindset that the team will fail if they are not the best at something at the event, and is ultimately beyond their individual control. Awards have as much to do with who else is at the tournament as with what your team accomplishes. There are so many good teams in Oregon not all of them will receive adequate recognition at their events. Many coaches have contacted me worried about the readiness of their team. In every case the team is more prepared than the coach thinks.

Please Remember:

• The Challenge table is designed to last the best of teams 8 months before mastering, your team has had 8 weeks. 
• The Project Challenge is something adults struggle to accomplish so fast.
• Even if your robot is nothing but a pile of bricks there are many teams who will be at the tournament that can help your team make changes throughout the day - this is Coopertition!
• Your team will finally apply all the things you've been wanting them to do when they see how it works at the event, even the best teams do this!
• HAVE FUN!!!

The Coach's Tournament Week Check-off List
Each Item you check off more than 5 days before your tournament is worth 5 Coach Points*, for every item you check off by team check-in you receive 3 Coach Points.

1. Your Official FIRST Team Number!  This should be easy points! Just like in every communication with ORTOP, your official team number is how your team will be tracked at your tournament. Make sure you and your team members know their correct team number! Not sure what it is? Check it by logging into your FIRST account!
2. Know YOUR Tournament LOCATION and DATE!  Many tournaments are hosting more than 1 day. While most teams are competing at their first choice tournament not all are! If you show up on the wrong day there will not be a space for your team to compete - or their might not even be an event! One event was canceled for lack of interest this year - although it nearly filled! Please check your tournament assignment HERE - you will need your team number!  Want to know who else will be at your tournament, select your tournament tab!
3. Print Your Completed Team Roster.  Many of you have had parent nights or otherwise have done an excellent job of helping the parents on your team register their students online. You've even gone back in and accepted the team members to your team! Excellent work! Make sure every student shows up on your team Roster either by accepting them to your team online, or printing your online roster and adding them by hand and collecting a paper Youth Team Member Form filled out and signed by a parent or legal guardian. Remember younger team members may be blocked from registering for FIRST LEGO League. In those cases they need to have a paper form and can not use the online system.
   -Your TEEN MENTORS need to be on the roster! They MUST be over 14 years of age, otherwise they are considered a TEAM MEMBER!
   -Use this blog post to help you navigate completing your team roster
   -Make sure both coaches and your chaperone/mentor appear on the Team Roster - your team may have up to 3 adults accompanying it at the tournament. All of these adults need to appear on the Team Roster. If an adult needs to use a paper form, please download and use this form. For adults who use the paper form, write their names as Mentors on the Team ROSTER!
4. Have the TEAM Complete and Print Their Team Introduction Pages (3 Total!)  You team should bring the appropriate introduction page to each of the judging sessions! Team Introduction Pages are available on the Tournament Website and below. Including a current team photo will help the judges remember details about your team!
   -Team Introduction Pages as a Doc File
   -Team Introduction Pages as a PDF
5. The Team Shares Their Project Idea BEFORE the Tournament Starts! Every team must share their project idea, preferably with an expert or organization that can use their ideas PRIOR to the Qualifying Tournament. Not only is this a required part of the FIRST LEGO League Project, this is a wonderful opportunity to for the team and the community to benefit one another. Teams are welcome to continue sharing their ideas after the tournament and can tell the judges if they already plan to do so, but their project is not complete unless they have already shared PRIOR to the tournament.
6. Print the Robot Program - Do this at the last meeting before your tournament! No matter which robot system you are using, your team will have the ability to print their code. The robot design judges need to see the team's code to properly evaluate the team's programming ability. The team should be prepared to talk about a sample of their code and demonstrate the knowledge of how their robot uses it's programs to complete the challenges. DO NOT BRING ENGINEERING NOTEBOOKS. Your code should only be a couple pages of paper. The judges will not have time to look at pseudocode, code updates, or notebooks. Please leave these items in your pit to share with other teams!
7. Know the FIRST LEGO League ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge! Make sure your team is up to date with the ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge and the Updates! If it's been a month since your team last looked over the challenge documents and updates, it is a good idea to review both of these documents before the tournament.
8. Know the Tournament Specifics for Your Venue! Make sure you have read and understand all of the documentation from your tournament director AND on the tournament website (find your tournament website from the list on this page. This documentation changes for each venue and each year, please make sure you have read THIS year's information!
9. Invite Friends, Family, Sponsors, Teachers and More to See the Event! This is your team's time to shine! Make sure you share it with everyone they are close to, and your sponsors. Make sure everyone knows they can watch the robot game throughout the day, and can especially attend the award ceremony! This is a great opportunity to share with teachers, principals, and neighbors all that your team has accomplished this season.
10. Set Your Team Goals for Tournament Day! Teams that set individual goals have a better time at the qualifying tournament and leave with an immediate sense of sanctification and success, regardless of what happens in the awards ceremony. Team goals will be very specific to your team and their strengths. Some example goals for a rookie team might be:
    -Have a successful table mission just as it ran in practice (one single launch from base, not the whole 2.5 minutes)
    -Don't have to grab the robot off the table more than 3 times in a match
    -Remember to shake the judges hands after at least 2 judging sessions
    -Have each team member answer a question from the judges fully and confidently (over all the judging sessions!)
    -No one drops the robot and even if they do, it doesn't break into a dozen or more pieces (yes this does happen!)
    -Make it on time to each judging session and robot game match
    -Make friends with someone on a different team
    -High five 3 teams when they leave the competition tables and congratulate them on their run
    -Thank at least 4 volunteers
    -Spot one outstanding example of Gracious Professionalism - bonus if it's from a team member
11. Don't Forget Lunch! Some tournament venues will have a food option, some will not. Make sure your team knows what you are doing for lunch! Double check your coach letter to know for sure where food is allowed at the tournament.
12. Think Power! Make sure your team has a plan to keep their robot fully charged and have access to a working laptop for last minute programming changes. Power will be available at your event, but recharging a dead laptop, or robot may prevent your team from operating at their best! Your schedule will be very busy, so it's best to plan ahead and start with a full charge.
13. Practice the Tournament Environment! Running the robot with 5 minutes is a lot different then running one 2.5 minute competition match. Adding in penalties and not allowing "do-overs" can drastically affect the team's score and strategy. It is best to practice using the standards of the competition so the team knows what decisions they want to make if the worst happens during a robot run. If you are changing drivers during the match, practice tagging in and out. Keep the clock running when team members struggle to change attachments. Don't forget to practice judging as well! Parents make excellent stand in judges and can use the same rubrics the judges will use at the event to help the team notice if they missed anything. Being practiced and prepared can help the day go smoother for everyone!
14. Have FUN! FIRST LEGO League wouldn't be the same without you. Take a moment to recognize all the wonderful things you have helped your team to accomplish this season. They really aren't the same kids that were at the first meeting, are they? Now they are a team, and you deserve some credit for facilitating that transition. Great job coach!

Give yourself 20 bonus points just for reading the WHOLE email!

*Coach Points are redeemable at your Qualifying tournament in the form of smiles from your team and a general sense of well-being throughout the event, they will not directly impact your team's robot score or judging sessions, however; I feel, their indirect value will be obvious!

Take a few moments to help your team see all they have accomplished in this short time. It really is amazing! They've created something innovative for their project, they've built and programmed a robot made of plastic bricks to move and manipulate a game table. It may not be perfect, and there is definitely a lot more that could be done, but that is where EVERYONE is right now! Your team should be very happy with all they have accomplished. The Qualifying Tournament is to celebrate that!

Great Job Coaches!

Good luck at your upcoming tournaments!

Loridee

November Mission Model Discussion: PENALTIES

Score: -6pts

Penalties will be recorded by the Referees for actions committed by the team during the 2.5-minute robot round. Penalties are recorded by the referee by placing one of 5 Manure Samples in the corner of the mat. These Manure Samples may not be touched and are not available for the team to use for scoring.

The only rule that includes a penalty is:

R14 - Interrupting - a Penalty is received if the robot is not completely in Base.

To interrupt your robot is when a team member stops or otherwise interacts with the robot. The robot can then be picked up and transported by hand to the Base for a relaunch. If the robot is already completely in Base, no penalty is incurred. If the robot is outside of Base, the team may relaunch the robot, but will receive one of the 5 penalty markers. If the robot is transporting an object and it is not completely in Base the object is given to the referee, even if this makes a mission impossible to complete. If the object is completely in base the team may keep it.

In FIRST LEGO League Transporting is defined as: If the Robot is in contact with something for the obvious purpose of taking it, changing its direction, or releasing it.

Discussion: Interrupting a robot and taking a penalty can be a strategic method of play. In what situations is taking the penalty to return your robot to base worth it for your team?

November Mission Model Discussion: M15 - ALL SAMPLES

Manure Samples

Required for Scoring: At the end of the match ALL 7 Manure Samples are in the Training and Research Area

Conditions: Conditions for M09 Apply: Only 1 Manure Sample may be Transported at a time.

Score: 5pts (in addition to points earned in M09)

Note from Oregon Head Referee Tom: An official Rule Update says there are seven Manure Samples (not twelve).

Real World Impact: Some data is good, but a complete data set allows scientist to have an accurate consistent picture on what is happening in the world. Fecal samples are a treasure trove of information waiting to be understood. With consistently, delivered samples scientists can build a timeline for change in the health of an individual animal or an entire population. Having quality information can be rare in field research making this type of collection worth more than just points in the real world.

Discussion: Because each Manure Sample must be transported one at a time this mission can be time-consuming. What strategy is your team using to efficiently deliver the Samples to the Training and Research Area?

November Mission Model Discussion: M14 - MILK ON RAMP

Ramp Model

Required for Scoring:  At the end of the match, All 3 Milk must be completely supported by the Ramp (scoring conditions vary).

Conditions: Scores have various conditions.

Score:

2pts - all 3 Milk supported by the Ramp.

3pts - all 3 Milk supported by the Ramp & are the only things touching the Ramp

4pts - all 3 Milk supported by the Ramp, are the only things touching the Ramp, & all are standing upright.

Milk Model

Note from Oregon Head Referee Tom: For Options 2 (3pts) and 3 (4pts), it is OK if the East or West edge of the Ramp is touching the Mat. The Mat does not count as a “thing”.

Real World Impact: Animal products are only useful if they can get to the people who need them. The more accurately and efficiently this process can work the better it is for the product (so it doesn’t spoil) and for the people who use it. Robots are being added to many parts of this process.

Discussion: Is the ramp a crucial access point for your team? Does putting milk on the ramp create more problems than the points are worth?

Deep Dive into Core Values

If there has been a topic that has been asked about the most in November, it's FIRST LEGO League Core Values. Today's blog post is going to be dedicated just to addressing questions that have been asked this month on the topic.

1. What Are FIRST LEGO League Core Values?
2. Will Core Values Really Matter at the Tournament?
3. Computer Issues at Events, What to Do?
4. Core Values Poster 
5. Core Values Activity, What's That?
6. Ways to Improve Team Core Values

1) What Are FIRST LEGO League 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!

Get All the important details in this PDF or in your Challenge Document.

2) Will Core Values Really Matter at the Tournament?

Yes! ABSOLUTELY!!!!  Not only is Core Values one of the three major components of FIRST LEGO League, the FIRST Core Values are applicable in EVERY aspect of the event. The how we do everything we do is just as important as the things we accomplish. In FIRST LEGO League, the tournament takes this into account. Teams who demonstrate exemplary Core Values will be recognized for such. At the same time teams or their parents, who violate the FIRST Core Values will have these issues addressed and it may impact their final rankings, even in robot performance! Teams who are masters of the FIRST Core Values will have a better time in all of their judging sessions and a more positive tournament overall. Teams that have used Core Values all along have more productive meetings, complete more tasks , and have a more positive overall experience.  They are THAT important!

Core Values don't just apply to the way your team treats one another, but also how they interact with the other teams. Whether they are at the competition table working together on the cooperative model, or sitting in the stands teams are expected to demonstrate FIRST Core Values in everything they do. Parents should also be briefed on the FIRST Core Values before attending our event. While it is rare, parents who behave inappropriately in the, heat of competition, can reflect poorly on a dedicated and hard working team. 

3) Computer Issues at Events, What to Do?

Part of "kids do the work" is that they are the only ones who touch the computer or robot at an event. However, computer failures do happen. Weird technical glitches that defy logic seem to crop up only when the pressure is on. Sometimes our team members just do not have the skills to troubleshoot the non-robot, non-programming issue (or maybe you just forgot to turn your password off or log out properly before giving the team the laptop). The problem is, you can't touch that laptop! or the robot if it's decided to go wild. All is not lost!

TAKE EVERYTHING TO THE PIT ADMIN. Explain your situation and let them watch as you quickly enter your password, or work on the complex troubleshooting that has less technical folks on the phone with tech support. Or maybe you are on the phone with tech support too!

Do not sit at your pit table and work on the laptop. Every year, a coach will be mistaken for working on the programming when they are trying to get the software unfrozen. These reports have to be taken seriously by the tournament directors and while efforts will be made to determine how much computer work, building, and programming is done by the coach instead of the team no system is perfect. Please help us to maintain the integrity and fun of our events with this simple solution!

4) Core Values Poster 

On page 4 of the Challenge Document, all teams were informed that the Core Values Poster is not required in all regions. If you've had an Oregon FIRST LEGO League team before you know that they were not permitted at the Qualifying Tournament in the judging room. This year that's changed. This year, if your team brings a Core Values Poster to the Qualifying Tournament they may share it with the judges.

Core Values Posters are NOT required.  They are optional for your team.

Benefits of creating a Core Value poster:

• They help your team understand how the Core Values have affected their season
• Teams have a visual reminders of things they'd like the judges to know about their Core Values
• Teams can show pictures of how their team experience
• If your team advances to state the Core Values poster is REQUIRED at the State Championship.

Reasons not to worry about it:

• It is less than 2 weeks to tournament day, it's not a high priority if your team has lots to do.
• It's one more thing that can be forgotten on tournament day.
• If too hastily assembled it may reflect poorly on your team. 

Do not feel like your team needs a Core Values poster. Even if your team makes a poster they are under no obligation to bring it to the tournament or use it in the judging room. If your team does decide to bring a Core Values Poster into the judging room they should prepare to only talk about it for a minute. This will take time from the questions session with the judges.

5) Core Values Activity, What's That?

In the Core Values Judging Session your team will be given a Core Values Activity to do. This activity is scheduled to last 4 minutes, your team may or may not finish the activity in that time. Completion of the activity does not affect their judging results. Core Values activities are a fun way for the judges to witness the way your team works together. Is there a leader? What kind of leader are they? How does the team solve a challenge together? Does the team recognize each members strengths? Does everyone try to do everything? Does the team use FIRST Core Values? These are all questions the judges hope to answer through their observations of the team.

The team will not have any pre-knowledge of the activity before they walk into the room. Coaches should just stand back like they do in any other judging session and let the team's core values skills come through. Since the same core values activity is used for all teams we ask that no teams share the activity outside of the judging room. 

6) Ways to Improve Team Core Values

It can take 3 years working with a team before the FIRST Core Values become a natural part of every team meeting and every interaction. This can be frustrating for coaches who would like to focus on the more technical aspects of the competition. It is very important to take time at each meeting to identify the FIRST Core Values and how the team can improve their implementation of them. Especially for new team members who may have never encountered and environment like a FIRST LEGO League team using the FIRST Core Values before.

The Core Values are so much more than just good sportsmanship. Many team members have never used anything like them. After all, how often do you help, mentor, or advise a team you are competing against in any other sport? Despite this there are many great team building activities your team can try. I highly recommend at a minimum that teams start by identifying Core Values when they see them and discussing the Core Values throughout all team meetings.

If your team is looking for activity ideas, this thread in the FIRST LEGO League forums has several links with suggestions.

As much fun as designing, building, programming, and innovating are - how we do things really is just as important as what we accomplish.

Best Wishes,
Loridee

November Mission Model Discussion: M13 - MILK IN BASE

Milk Models

Required for Scoring: At the end of the match ALL three milk models are in base

Conditions: NONE

Score: 1pt

This is an all or nothing mission. 1pt is available if your team has all the milk in base.

Real World Impact: The milking barn is only the first stop for milk on it’s trip to being used by people. Collecting and transporting for refinement or further shipping is an important step in the process.

Discussion: Does your robot have a good way to consistently collect the milk from the carousel? Is one point enough to make it worth doing?

Tournament Info, Project Sharing, & Status Check

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this post you will find:

1. Where to Find Information Specific to Your Tournament
2. Space sSill Available to Share at OMSI 
3. What You Should Have DONE
4. Volunteers Needed!
5. 4H Program Looking to Purchase NXT Systems

1) Where to Find Information Specific to Your Tournament

Information about all of the tournaments, teams, and assignments are posted on the Oregon website. Here is where you find everything you need to know! *note your assignment does not appear on your Dashboard, this has to be done manually for every team we have 440 teams participating in events in Oregon.

• www.ortop.org/fll - the main page! Everything is linked from here.
• http://www.ortop.org/fll/overviewEvents.htm - All the information specific to your tournament, copies of the coach and parent letters, links to judging information, robot game information, etc.
• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12bHCKY-eGxXDNVtxL7UbnbQMNq9EE3JvYIGsMcByTlk/edit?usp=sharing - the ugly link that leads to the Oregon Team Status spreadsheet; assignments, payment status, advancement status (coming in December), etc. Tabs on this sheet list teams at EACH tournament so your team can see who they will be competing with. 
• http://www.ortop.org/fll/QT-ALL_Judging.html - details about Qualifying Tournament Judging in Oregon. Also includes information about awards.
• http://www.ortop.org/Documents/OR-FLL2016_TeamIntroductionPage_QT.pdf or http://www.ortop.org/Documents/OR-FLL2016_TeamIntroductionPage_QT.docx - Team Information Pages, your team needs to bring a copy of these filled out for each judging session - they are available on your tournament website and on the judging page.
• http://www.ortop.org/fll/QT-ALL_RobotGame.html - information about how the robot game will be done at the tournaments - not season specific!
• http://www.ortop.org/Documents/QTCoachesChecklist2016.pdf - checklist of things you need for the tournament for your team!
• http://www.ortop.org/Documents/FLL_2016_CV_ObservationsPolicy.pdf - The FIRST Core Values and how observations will be reported at your tournament (good and bad)

Additionally, please watch for and respond to any communications from your tournament director. Especially weather and venue information as we approach tournament day.

2) Space sSill Available to Share at OMSI

OMSI still has one space this weekend (November 19) and two on December 3rd, for a team to share their Innovative Solution to this year's challenge. Every team MUST share their project before it is considered complete. It must be shared with people outside of the team, ideally, individuals who can use the idea or provide feedback to it's development.
Signup on Google Calendar

3) What You Should Have DONE

From today's mail bag, coaches are requesting another accomplishments list. Here is a mid-November list for your team, these items should be done or near done:

• Your team should have shared their innovative solution with someone who can provide feedback on their idea - or at least have that scheduled to do BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT
• Robot should be built and programmed for at least 1 mission.
• All parents have either paper Youth Team Member Forms to fill out, or have been invited to use the online Team Member Registration System. 
• Parents know which tournament their child is attending. 
• The team has a team identity, it could be based on the team name, a logo, or a way of doing things - the team should be more than just a bunch of kids with LEGO pieces.
• If asked each team member can give a personal definition for Gracious Professionalism and Cooperitition. BONUS: Team members can list ALL of the FIRST Core Values
• Teachers, School Administration, Scout Leaders, and Sponsors have been invited to your tournament as appropriate.

4) Volunteers Needed!

All of our tournaments are still looking for volunteers! Parents are welcome to fill in on non-judging or referee roles. These roles can be judge door queuer, scorekeeper, check-in, hospitality, pit or practice fields, runners, and other day-of logistic roles. Coaches and Mentors are invited to volunteer at events where their teams are not competing. Volunteering can be a great way for anyone who is interested in learning more about FIRST LEGO League in Oregon.

All Oregon events are using the FIRST volunteer system. Please create your account and apply for an event (If you have any FIRST account that will work with the volunteer system). Volunteers will be asked to complete a free online background check which stays in the system for 3 years. If you have any challenges with the Volunteer system please contact ORTOP, we will do our best to help you.

5) 4H Program Looking to Purchase NXT Systems
Long time FIRST LEGO League coach Brenda and the Clovernauts are looking for additional NXT robots to use for workshops. If your team has upgraded and no longer uses their NXT. The Clovernauts of Clark County 4H would be interested in purchasing your old kit. Please contact them at: 4-H Clovernauts cc.4h.robotics.club@gmail.com

Best Wishes,
Loridee

November Mission Model Discussion: M12 - SEAL IN BASE

Seal Model

Required for Scoring: At the end of the match, Seal is completely in Base

Conditions: Seal can not be broken

Score: 1 pt

Real World Impact: Sometimes research animals need to be brought in after being monitored in the wild. Most often samples are collected in the field. Samples may include fur, feces, blood, scales, and a variety of measurements. If while collecting samples or retrieving monitoring hardware, like the camera or a radio collar, a problem is noticed with the animal biologists will make the call to bring the animal in. Sometimes the animals can be rehabilitated and returned to the wild. Other times, their conditions are permanent and the decision is made to introduce them to research and outreach programs. These animals often become ambassadors for the problems affecting their species.

Discussion: The seal is at the far Southeast end of the board, does the single point make this mission worth it for your team?

November Mission Model Discussion: M11 - PROSTHESIS

Prosthesis and Pet Model

Required for Scoring: At the end of the match the Prosthesis is fitted to the Pet (pig) OR the Prosthesis if fitted to the Pet AND the Pet is completely in the Farm Target

Conditions: NONE

Score: 9pts for the Prosthesis fitted to the Pet OR 15pts for the Prosthesis fitted to the Pet AND in the Farm Target

Real World Impact: Sometimes animals do not have the use of all of their limbs. In some cases the lives of these creatures is benefited when replacements can be created. This model shows the increased mobility and quality of life for a pet who is missing functional hind-limbs. By providing a wheeled brace the pet is now able to explore the world. Engineers face unique challenges when designing artificial limbs for animals. Animals won’t stay on smooth paths. They don’t use their limbs the same way we do. Also there are many challenges with how to attach the limbs to ensure they are comfortable as the animal uses them daily.

Discussion: What is the most challenging part of combining the Pet and the Prosthesis for your team?

Filling Team Rosters - Electronic or Paper?

This post is dedicated just to answering all of your questions regarding STIMS and your Team Roster. Every team MUST turn in a printed Team Roster from the FIRST website at the check-in for their FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournament. This must be done even if all of your team members use paper forms.

1. Using the Electronic Student Registration System
2. Using Paper Forms
3. Printing your REQUIRED Team Roster
4. What About Chaperones?

1)  Using the Electronic Student Registration System

Coaches you may invite each parent to the FIRST system to add their child to your team roster. Coaches do this from the FIRST Dashboard, by logging in to www.firstinspires.org. 

Parents may complete the electronic student information system by a link in that email or they can simply go to the FIRST website: www.firstinspires.org  Even if parents are not invited by coaches they can easily use the electronic system for their child. 

• Parents need to go to www.firstinspires.org (or use the link in their email from their coach)
• Parents who used the electronic form last year, volunteer for FIRST, or otherwise have made an account with FIRST use the login option in the upper right corner.
• Parents who have never used the FIRST website before use sign-up in the upper right corner and create an account for themselves.
• On the Dashboard - Make sure you see a - next to I Want To (if it is a + click the +)
• Select Complete Youth Member Registration from the bottom middle option box (2nd to last option on a mobile device).
• Update your information for any children you had in the system last year who are participating this year, or Select Add Youth from the bottom of the screen.
• After you have created or updated your child's profile and school information Select Apply to FLL Team
• Enter your team number (2-5 digits provided by your coach or student). As you enter your team number make sure the information that appears is correct before you select apply.
• Before you go anywhere, Sign the electronic Consent Form!

Coaches: You must accept the students to your team before they will show up on your roster. You can do this from the Dashboard!

2) Using Paper Forms

Paper forms are great for students whose parents don't have an email address or whose first language is not English. Paper forms are REQUIRED for team members who were not 9-years-old prior to January 1, 2016. Each team member must have their own form COMPLETELY filled out by their parent or legal guardian. Even if team members are twins, each is required to have a complete form!

English Language Youth Team Member Form

Spanish Language Youth Team Member Form

The completed form which includes information about the student AND a signed consent form must be stapled to the back of the back of the team roster and the student's name added in pen to the team roster. Please try to be legible, it helps our volunteers. 

If you are printing the forms for your parents, you may duplex page 2 & 3 of the above links and make sure they fill out both sides. The instruction page does not need to be turned in at the event, but can be helpful for your parents.

3) Printing your REQUIRED Team Roster
Whether your team uses paper forms OR electronic, you MUST print your Team Roster to bring to the tournament. This can only be done by Lead Coach 1 or Lead Coach 2. This can not be done by a Mentor, School Contact, or Team Admin.

• Login at www.firstinspires.org
• Go to Manage Team Contacts and accept all the youth who are on the team.
• Once all coaches/mentors and all team members that are using the online/electronic consent have completed their part,  Print the Roster
• Hand write any team members or Chaperones who are using paper forms onto the team roster
• Staple all paper forms (both pages) to the back of the roster. It helps our volunteers if they are in the order the names appear on the roster.

Known bugs: Some regions report better success with printing to a pdf rather than straight to the printer. On Windows 10 computers using Firefox the system has difficulting printing and printing to PDF. If you can not print your roster please email your tournament director AND Loridee.

4) What About Chaperones?
Your team needs to have at least 2 adults with the team members at all times during the event. If your team has more than 6 members they may have an additional chaperone. These adults need to appear on the roster, or they can not have access to the pit area. The easiest way to get them on the roster is to invite them as Mentors from your Dashboard.

If they do not have an email address they may use the paper volunteer consent forms. If they use the paper form their name must be hand-written on the team roster and the consent form stapled to the back.

These forms will be needed again at the State Championship if your team is one of the 27% of teams who advance in December!  We highly recommend photocopying any paper forms used so they do not need to be collected again.

Best Wishes,
Loridee

November Mission Model Discussion: M10 - BEE KEEPING

Bee Model

Honey Model

Required for Scoring: At the end of the match the bee is on the beehive and the honey is not in the beehive or is in base.

Conditions: NONE

Score: 12pts if bee is on beehive and the honey is NOT in beehive OR 15pts if bee is on the beehive and the honey is completely in BASE

Note from Oregon Head Referee Tom: In the Challenge Guide, the caption for the picture on Page 24 “Training & Research Area” only applies to the left side of the image; the Beehive is not part of the Training and Research Area.

Beehive Model

Real World Impact: Many species of bee were recently added to the US Endangered Species Act, citing significant population decline due to human impact. One of the biggest concerns is colony collapse all of the causes of which are still not fully known, although crop monocultures, disease, and pesticide use may all be factors. At this time bees, provide the most of the crop pollination for food production. Also, bees produce honey, which most people agree is a pretty great thing. Honey in addition to being a shelf-stable sweetener, has many unique chemical properties. Beekeepers have a long history of supporting bee and local food production.

Discussion: Will your team pick up the bee to place on the hive? Do you collect the honey after you do this?