Welcome to the new format for team messages. On the blog, you will find a long format version of the email with lots of details. This format will make past emails easier to search for and replace the clunky table of emails on the website. You will still get emails, however; when I need to go into detail you will be referred here.
Welcome new coaches! All FIRST LEGO League coaches in Oregon are automatically added to this mailing list each week. This is the primary way we will keep you up to date with what is happening in Oregon!
In this update you will find:
- Coach, Mentor, & Parent Workshops - FINAL SERIES and ONE DAY events!
- Last Call for Team Financial Support!
- National Registration with FIRST
- What does my team need to compete in FIRST LEGO League?
- ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge Documents and Official UPDATES!
- Tables & Supplies Available - EMAIL ONLY
- Dates to Know!
The last two FIRST LEGO League Coach, Mentor, and Parent Workshops series begin on Thursday, September 8 at Beaverton High School (continuing on September 15, 22, 29) and on Tuesday, September 13 at Hillsboro High School (continuing on September 20, 27, October 4). We will also have a few more One Day Workshops: September 17th at Hood River OSU Extension Office, September 24th at Garmin in Salem, PCC-Southeast in Portland, and Malheur ESD in Vale, October 1st at Eastham Community Center in Oregon City, and Sherwood Elementary in Pendleton.
To attend a workshop please register online at: www.ortop.org/fll/resWorkshops.htm
To attend the VALE Oregon workshop please register online at: https://goo.gl/forms/W5ksXfA9gYUkDzWf2
Not able to attend a workshop? You can also find all of our printed materials and slides on the website: www.ortop.org/fll/resWorkshops.htm
2) Last Call for Team Financial Support!
ORTOP has been fortunate to connect with sponsors who are interested in supporting teams who would not be able to participate without financial assistance. These sponsors are willing to pay your national registration, your LEGO kit, and part or all of your team's tournament registration fee. If this is your team, or a team you know, please have them apply for last chance funds at www.ortop.org/fll/resTeamSupport.html
If you have applied and are still waiting to hear back, please check your spam filter. Many teams have been awarded, some applications are still in process. Every application must be reviewed by two independent reviewers and taken under financial consideration. Last chance applications will go to reviewers on September 18! Teams will receive payment on their behalf or product, they will not receive a check! Do not pay your team registration if you are waiting for team financial support! Teams that do not make the current threshold for funding will be considered in the Last Chance.
ORTOP has been fortunate to connect with sponsors who are interested in supporting teams who would not be able to participate without financial assistance. These sponsors are willing to pay your national registration, your LEGO kit, and part or all of your team's tournament registration fee. If this is your team, or a team you know, please have them apply for last chance funds at www.ortop.org/fll/resTeamSupport.html
If you have applied and are still waiting to hear back, please check your spam filter. Many teams have been awarded, some applications are still in process. Every application must be reviewed by two independent reviewers and taken under financial consideration. Last chance applications will go to reviewers on September 18! Teams will receive payment on their behalf or product, they will not receive a check! Do not pay your team registration if you are waiting for team financial support! Teams that do not make the current threshold for funding will be considered in the Last Chance.
3) National Registration with FIRST
Your team will want to finish their National Registration with FIRST by October 5! This requires both coaches to accept the team and sign this year's terms and conditions. Tournament registration opens on October 5 and if you do not have a registered team, you will not be invited to apply to a tournament in December.
If you had a team last year, please use your team number again. Not only will it be easier for you to remember when you need to get a question answered from me, it will be easier when you register, and it helps me identify rookie coaches and new teams at existing programs. It can also affect your eligibility for rookie awards if you have a lot of teams registered in the past that you do not pay for this year.
If you had a team last year, please use your team number again. Not only will it be easier for you to remember when you need to get a question answered from me, it will be easier when you register, and it helps me identify rookie coaches and new teams at existing programs. It can also affect your eligibility for rookie awards if you have a lot of teams registered in the past that you do not pay for this year.
4) What does my team need to compete in FIRST LEGO League?
Every team needs specific items each year to participate in FIRST LEGO League. Here are the minimum items your team needs this year:
5) ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge Documents and Official UPDATES!
Every team needs specific items each year to participate in FIRST LEGO League. Here are the minimum items your team needs this year:
- 1 LEGO EV3, NXT, or RCX Robot Kit with working motors
- The only kit your team can purchase from a retailer is the EV3, but if your team has an NXT, or even an RCX they are legal robots. ORTOP highly recommends each team have 1 NXT or 1 EV3 robot to use and that they do not switch between the two, as they follow their programming in slightly different ways.
- Teams will not be permitted to bring multiple robots into the competition arena
- Please review the rules for allowed sensors and motor restrictions!
- This kit can be reused year-to-year!
- 1 LEGO Challenge Kit - ANIMAL ALLIES
- This kit changes each season. ORTOP estimates that up to three teams may share a kit at the same time/location. If teams do not meet at the same time more may be able to share this kit.
- 1 4'x8'x2" FIRST LEGO League Table - See Challenge Manual for description
- 1 Laptop, Chromebook, or tablet to program the robot (Chromebook and Tablet only work with the EV3 robot system).
- 1 copy of the LEGO MINDSTORMS software - this is the only permissible programming language; unless your team has blind members - then contact Loridee-Wetzel@ortop.org for more information.
- 1 National Registration and accompanying official team number
- 2 Adult Coaches (minimum) More adults can always help as mentors and advisors
- At least 1 topic expert - this is not a team member, but someone your team consults about their innovative solution! The more the better.
- 3-10 team members. Teams MAY NOT have alternates. Team members may join at any time. Everyone who contributes to the robot or project is a team member! Coaches and Mentors do not contribute to these items, they facilitate.
5) ANIMAL ALLIES Challenge Documents and Official UPDATES!
Here is the link to the official document's page for the 2016 season!
http://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/fll/animal-allies-challenge-updates-and-resources
Please Note! There are already rule updates for the Project AND the Robot Game.
6) Tables & Supplies Available - EMAIL ONLY
Some teams have moved on from FIRST LEGO Leauge and have tables available. Please see the email copy of this email for details. For safety their contact information is not posted online.
One team is looking for a new home for their NXT robot. This is a complete FIRST LEGO League competition set. The NXT is still a valid system, but it is not the newest LEGO robot system.
7) Dates to Know!
Mark your Calendars! Here are dates you need to know.
Best Wishes,
Loridee
http://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/fll/animal-allies-challenge-updates-and-resources
Please Note! There are already rule updates for the Project AND the Robot Game.
6) Tables & Supplies Available - EMAIL ONLY
Some teams have moved on from FIRST LEGO Leauge and have tables available. Please see the email copy of this email for details. For safety their contact information is not posted online.
One team is looking for a new home for their NXT robot. This is a complete FIRST LEGO League competition set. The NXT is still a valid system, but it is not the newest LEGO robot system.
7) Dates to Know!
Mark your Calendars! Here are dates you need to know.
- September 10 - FIRST Tech Challenge Kick-off - (locations)
- Is your team entering 7-8th grades? It may be time to look at the next level! Kick-off is a great way to meet teams and talk to coaches about what happens AFTER FIRST LEGO League.
- October 5-12 - FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournament Registration
- Your team will need to register for their December Qualifying Tournament during this time. Registration is only available to nationally registered teams!
- We are hoping to host Qualifying Tournaments in Portland, Hillsboro, McMinnville, Salem, Corvallis, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Bend, Hood River, The Dalles, and LaGrande. We would love to add an event between Irrigon and Hermiston - if you would be willing to help with the search committee please email Loridee-Wetzel@ortop.org
- October 11 - FIRST LEGO League Jr Info Night
- Does your team have younger siblings not old enough for FIRST LEGO League. Does your school have K-4th grades? Come learn more about this youngest age FIRST program!
- December 3, 4, 10, &11 - Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournaments!
- January 14 & 15 - Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Tournament presented by Rockwell Collins at Liberty High School, Hillsboro - 1/3rd of Oregon FIRST LEGO League teams will participate! All may attend!
Best Wishes,
Loridee
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