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?

November Mission Model Discussion: M09 - TRAINING AND RESEARCH

Trainer & Dog Model

Zoologist Model

Required for Scoring: At the end of the match, the Dog & Trainer model, The Zoologist, and/or Manure Samples are completely in the Training & Research Area.

Conditions: Only one Manure Sample may be Transported at a time.

Score: 15 pts for the Zoologist, 12 pts for the Dog & Trainer, 5 pts for each Manure sample up to 7 samples.

There is no additional condition for transporting the Zoologist and the Dog & Trainer Models.

Important Updates: Update 5 MO9 clarifies that Manure Samples transported correctly will still count even if some Manure is not transported correctly.

Update 1 corrects the total number of Manure Samples from 12 to 7, as 5 will be used as penalty markers by the referees. Penalty markers can not be moved by the team.

Note from Oregon Head Referee Tom: For purposes of Transporting (D10) the Manure Samples, “contact” includes indirect contact. If A touches B, and B touches C, then A is touching C.

Manure Sample Models

For example, if the Robot moves multiple Manure Samples to the Training and Research Area by using a container, the “More” rule for M09 is not met (because the Robot was in indirect Contact with multiple samples while Transporting them).

The “More” rule for M09 applies whenever a Manure Sample is being Transported – not just between Base and the Training and Research Area.

Real World Impact: Trainers not only work closely with their animals, however; they are also responsible for monitoring their health. Zoologists fill a large variety of roles each day. Sometimes they work directly with animals, sometimes they are collecting fecal or hair samples, and sometimes they are doing analysis on information collected. Fecal samples and manure are a tremendous resource and challenge when dealing with animals. It’s important that samples are not contaminated before analysis is done. It is also very important that the researchers stay safe while working with feces. Many diseases can be spread through fecal contact, especially from animals that eat meat, like members of the dog family.

Discussion: These missions are going to involve a lot of robot navigating, with a ramp in front of the Training Area, a Zoologist to collect, and Manure Samples scattered and needing to be transported individually. When in the 2.5 minute run does your team think is the best time to work on these challenges?

November Mission Model Discussion: M08 - CAMERA RECOVERY

Seal with Camera Model

Camera Model

Required for Scoring: At the end of the match the camera is completely in BASE
Conditions: NONE
Score: 15pts

This mission requires the camera resting on the back of the seal to be moved to base by the robot.

Real World Impact: First developed by National Geographic, Critter Cam has opened an entirely new

way to research how species use their environments. Prior to critter cam, researchers had to record chance observations, set camera traps, or tag animals and track them using techniques like radio telemetry. While these systems were good at showing what habitat was used, where animals moved, and how many of a species may be present it was hard to see habitat use in action. With cameras mounted on animals big enough to carry them, more natural behaviors can be watched once the camera is recovered. Now scientists can see how the animals use their habitat and what importance different plants and structures have for them. Especially animals like seals who travel where we can not easily follow.

Discussion: It’s a long way to the beach to get the camera. What route is your team taking across the board?

November Mission Model Discussion: M07 - PANDA RELEASE

Panda Release Model

Required for Scoring: At the END OF THE MATCH, the slider looks fully open clockwise.

Conditions: NONE

Score: 10pts

The challenge here is for the robot to release the pandas, by sliding one-half of the model in a clockwise fashion without damaging the model. This model is very flat to the mat.

Real World Impact: Pandas are solitary animals rarely coming into contact with one another in the wild. Their population significantly benefits from breeding programs, especially those outside Chengdu in Sichuan Province, China. Pandas are not the only species to be helped in this way. Just a few decades ago the California Condor was brought back from 9 individuals, all of which were brought into captivity to a wild population of 248 individuals last year, (over 400 if you count captive birds). While in captivity in addition to health monitoring and breeding programs animals can have a profound educational impact on the people who share a community with them.

Discussion: This model is very fragile, how does your team keep their robot from damaging it during missions?