HD16: Happy Holidays to All

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,



In this update, you will find:

1. Happy Holidays from ORTOP
2. Team in Need of a HYDRO DYNAMICS Kit
3. New Game Update
4. Thank your Sponsors
5. Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League State Championships

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

HD15: Splashdown into Success

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. Good Luck Week 2 Teams and Volunteers!
2. Week 1 Tournament Statistics
3. Take Time to Celebrate YOUR Success
4. Share your Photos!
5. Preparing for the State Championships

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

HD14: Making a Big SPLASH!

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. Good Luck Week 1 Teams and Volunteers!
2. Presentations at Cedar Mill Library
3. Why No Team Is Ever Ready
4. Hands in Pockets
5. Celebrate In Success!

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

HD13: Tournament Week Coach Checklist

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

This special edition of the FIRST LEGO League Oregon Update is for current coaches. Please use this email as a tournament week checklist to determine what you need for their tournament either this weekend or next!  This list is a supplement to be included with the official Qualifying Tournament Checklist you have already received.

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

November Mission Model Discussion: BASE

In this our final entry in the November Mission Model Discussion for HYDRO DYANMICS,  we are going to talk about Base and robot operations at the table. Specifically, what is in Base and how to successfully Launch and the Return to Base. FIRST rules for Launches and Returns change from year-to-year, sometimes it is easy to miss an update, so even if you are an experienced team it is good to review what is a legal launch and what is a legal return, so your team can avoid unnecessary delays and penalties.

November Mission Model Discussion: PENALTIES

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M18 - FAUCET

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M17 - SLINGSHOT

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M16 - WATER COLLECTION

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M15 - FIRE

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M14 - WATER WELL

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M13 - FLOWER

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M12 - SLUDGE

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

HD12: It's All Going Swimmingly

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. Links About Oregon Qualifying Tournaments
2. Robot Game Rule Advice from the Oregon Head Referee
3. Things about Qualifying Tournaments You Already Forgot (according to my Inbox)
4. Team Goals - NOVEMBER
5. Does Your Project Meet the FIRST Requirements?

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

November Mission Model Discussion: M11 - PIPE CONSTRUCTION

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M10 - PIPE REPLACEMENT

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M09 - TRIPOD

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M08 - MANHOLE COVERS

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M07 - FOUNTAIN

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M06 - WATER TREATMENT part 2, Using the Model

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M06 - WATER TREATMENT part 1, Making Sure it Works

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M05 - FILTER

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M04 - RAIN

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: M03 - PUMP ADDITION

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

HD11: Flushing Out Team Rosters - Help, Requirements, and Reference Materials

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. Quick Announcements
2. Two Types of Team Roster
3. Resources For the Online System
4. How to Print Your Roster
5. Using the Paper System for One or All Team Members
6. HELP! I have Weirdness!

This is a special Update that will focus almost entirely on the Team Roster aspect of tournament preparation. 

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

November Mission Model Discussion: M02 - FLOW

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year! This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: MO1 - Pipe Removal

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year!
This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

November Mission Model Discussion: How this works and a list of Rule Reminders

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League HYDRO DYNAMICS game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year!
This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide!

Before we dive into each individual mission lets take a good look at some of the rules and specifics of the game board. This does NOT replace having every member of your team read the Challenge Guide!

HD10: Graciously Dispersed Tricks and Treats

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. Gracious Professionalism and Sharing Opportunities with ALL Teams
2. Volunteer Registration is OPEN for All Oregon Events
3. November Mission Model Discussion
4. Tournament Assignments Are Now Posted (3 days early!)

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

HD9: Eroding the Chaos One Drop at a Time

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. Qualifying Tournament Application Fee DUE October 31st!
2. Last Call for Team Name/Affiliation/Coach Corrections
3. New FIRST LEGO League Project UPDATE
4. Project Demonstrations at OMSI

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

HD 8: Making Use of Greywater

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. Thank You, Intel and Thermo Fisher Scientific
2. FIRST LEGO League Team Information "Typo Form"
3. More FIRST LEGO League Tables Available
4. TWO Coaches are REQUIRED Before You Can Access Your Team Roster
5. Helpful Handouts from Intel and Tualatin Water District

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

HD7: Keeping the Season Flowing Along

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. REGISTRATION For Oregon Teams is CLOSED! - What to do if you missed the boat.
2. LOTS of Opportunities for FIRST LEGO League Teams!
3. Please Respect Our Oregon Water Experts
4. Share your Project at OMSI
5. Table Available in Hillsboro
6. Team Goals for October
7. Getting Everything You Need From Team Parents for the Roster part 1

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

Check Your Team's Status! National Registration and Oregon Event Registration Closes TOMORROW

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

The Oregon FIRST LEGO League region will close for the HYDRO DYNAMICS competitive season tomorrow morning! Is your team ready? Check your team's current status using our handy Google Sheet!

• If your team does not appear at all - you are NOT Nationally registered as of the time of the last update. Please login to FIRST and pay your $225 National Registration (make sure you order the HYDRO DYNAMICS Challenge Kit if you do not have acces sto one!)
• If your team does not have two green yeses you are NOT fully registered to attend a qualifying tournament. 
• Missing the first yes? Complete the application to attend an event in Oregon. 
• Missing the second yes? Submit your qualifying tournament payment.
• Please check the Google Sheet to make sure your team name and affiliation are correct WE WILL NOT UPDATE USING THE FIRST SYSTEM!  Directions to correct spelling errors will come out in this week's update! Please do NOT send them by email.

You do not need to have a complete team roster to register for your qualifying tournament! Please complete the application for each team who will be attending a tournament now.

The Team Google Sheet now lives on the Oregon Hot Topics Page, if you haven't you should probably bookmark this page.

If your team has two green yeses you are done for today. Give yourself 5 coach points (redeemable in smiles from your team at the qualifying tournament).
You can skip the rest of this email/blog.


HELP I'M LOST
If none of this makes sense and you have a team that you are working with right now. Let me help!

What is National Registration?Your team must be nationally registered with FIRST in Manchester NH to be eligible to participate in the current FIRST LEGO League season. This is done from your DASHBOARD on www.firstinspires.org

I was trying to register for an event, but I can't find it on the DASHBOARD? Understandable, Oregon does NOT use the FIRST system for tournament registration because we welcome our teams to choose their event and we use this opportunity to get the information we need to run events and talk with sponsors. To apply for an event you must use the link on the OREGON WEBSITE: https://ortop.org/fll/first-lego-league-qualifying-tournament-registration/

Didn't I already pay for this? The National Registration and the Oregon Qualifying Tournament Registration/Application Fee are not the same things. National Registration is paid to FIRST in Manchester NH and goes to the creation of the FIRST LEGO League program. That money does not cover the program costs for Oregon. ORTOP Sponsors cover many of the program's costs, and some sponsors are ready to help teams who are financially unable to pay the full registration cost. Oregon fees go to make the Oregon program and events possible.

 I received a Team Support Award, but I don't know the number.  The number can be found on the back of the award above the box where you are told what is covered in your award.  Still don't see it? It was also on the email subject line that accompanied your letter.

I'm not going to be ready today/my coach is out of town - Take a deep breath, I have some extensions (not many) that we can use. Email Loridee-Wetzel@ortop.org or call ORTOP before 5:30 today. Please provide your team number (if you have one) and explain what's happening. I don't want any team to miss out!

I have other questions! Please email Loridee-Wetzel@ortop.org. I'm doing my best to help as many of you as I can through this process!

HD6: The Floodgates are Open

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. Oregon Qualifying Tournament Registration is OPEN until October 10!
2. Two Upcoming Water Expert Nights!
3. Coming Soon!

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

LINKS you need to register for an Oregon Qualifying Tournament

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

Please see HD4 and HD5 for a complete checklist of items you need to prepare for Qualifying Tournament Registration. This is just a brief email with some links that your team will need for the Oregon Tournament Registration process.

The SAMPLE Application
Please use this sample application to make sure you have all your information on hand BEFORE you start the actual Survey Monkey application after Wednesday, October 4 at 5pm. This is pretty close to what you will see on Wednesday. We are still tweaking a few things (like setting which Saturday the Parkrose Middle School event will be), but the sample application is very similar to what you will see.

Qualifying Tournament Application Fee
There are three ways to pay your qualifying tournament application fee, credit card, check, or purchase order. All payment options will allow teams in financial need to request a sponsor to automatically cover up to $100 of their tournament fee. To request a discount your team MUST provide a reason why the discount is being requested. Please use our list of reasons, if possible.

If you have any questions about how the sliding scale works or if your company would like to sponsor teams in this way, please email Loridee-Wetzel@ortop.org

Lead Coach 1 in the FIRST system will get the email at 5pm on Wednesday, October 4. This is the ONLY time we use this category exclusively.

A Google Sheet will be added to the ORTOP website later this week with the team information to show who has submitted an application and who has paid. Please be patient as it can take over 24 hours to manually update (still working on better systems!)

Best Wishes,
Loridee

HD5: Filtered Information to Get Your Team Pumped Up

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update, you will find:

1. National Registration Open for another ~10 days!
2. Are you ready to apply for your Qualifying Tournament?
3. Oregon Qualifying Tournament Dates
4. What You Need to Know About Qualifying Tournaments
5. Bring in the Bricks - Things to Know About the Challenge Kit
6. The Deep Dark Pit of Email

Use this link to read this update as a blog post

HD4: Distilled News You Can Tap Into

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update you will find:

1. National Registration - CLOSING SOON
2. Checklist to Register for an Oregon Qualifying Tournament
3. Last week for Adult Workshops!
4. Team Roster Reminder - Still Not Open 😞
5. Hillsboro International Air Show
6. CORRECTION from Last Week!

To read this update as a blog, please click here.

HD3: Getting Into the Flow

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update you will find:

1. Parent Information Night and Building your Roster
2. Project Updates!
3. ¿Su equipo habla español?
4. Coach, Mentor, and Parent Workshops END this month
5. Building a Welcoming Team Environment
6. Looking for something for younger siblings to do? FIRST LEGO League Jr Information sessions scheduled.

To read this update as a blog, please click here.

LAST CHANCE! FIRST LEGO League Team Support Applications MUST be in before MONDAY!

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

If your team is unable to pay National Registration, for the Challenge Kit, for a robot kit (for teams without one only), or for the Oregon Qualifying Tournament Registration Fee please complete your Team Financial Support Application BEFORE 10 am on Monday, September 11. You have this weekend to finish the application through survey monkey. We want to get ALL of the available funds and coupon codes to be used for teams in Oregon! If your program has grown unexpectedly this week, PLEASE APPLY!  Remember each team may only have 10 team members and NO alternates! If 12 kids showed up to practice, you need two teams to fully support them! As long as we have funds and you demonstrate how you are reaching out to members of the community who do not self-select for robotics or may have a harder time joining a team and demonstrate what other fundraising you have done, your application will be considered.

Please remember if you receive a robot kit through ORTOP funds, you are making a TWO YEAR commitment to FIRST LEGO League!

Teams will still be able to use the sliding scale to pay for the tournament registration fee even if you do not submit a team financial support application!

Apply for Team Financial Support Here

HD2: A Sprinkle of News

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

We have a couple quick, but urgent items for your attention today:

1. WORKSHOPS - Need more attendees or they will be canceled
2. TEAM FINANCIAL Support - Last Round September 11th!
3. CORE VALUES - Adult Play and Learn Session - September 11
4. Teams need 2 ADULT COACHES
5. Delays with Coach/Mentor Background Checks
6. HYDRO DYNAMICS Season could close as early as September 30

To read this update as a blog, please click here:

HD1: The Pipes Have Opened!

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update you will find:

1. HYDRO DYNAMICS Important Links!
2. FIRST LEGO League Team Financial Support Status
3. LAST CHANCE - Coach, Mentor, Parent Workshops
4. Free Table
5. What Your Team Should Do in September

To read this as a blog post please click here:

Fresh Washed News for August

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update you will find:

1. New Website News and ORTOP Closed (just one day!)
2. KICKOFF - AUGST 29 - Don't Miss It!
3. Team Financial Support Awards Update
4. Available Practice Table in Hillsboro 
5. Space Available in September Workshops
6. Oregon HYDRO DYNAMICS Schedule of Events

To read this as a blog post please click here

News You can Dive Into

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this update you will find:

1. Oregon Department of Education Funds Available
2. Free Practice Tables
3. Free Tickets to Kick-off!
4. Workshops Around Oregon
5. Fundraising Success in Medford!

Read it as a blog post

JULY NEWS, Summer Research is a Splash!

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this mid-summer newsletter you will find:

1. Coach, Mentor, and Parent Workshops
2. Applying for Team Financial Support UPDATE
3. Teams Needed to Help with Demonstrations
4. Team Members and Mentors are Invited to Join SWE!
5. What Should My Team Be Doing Now?
6. FIRST LEGO League Summer Camps
7. Save the Date! KICKOFF August 29!

Read this email as a blog post

Team Financial Support, Robotics Camps, Adult Workshops, and More!

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this newsletter you will find:

1. Coach, Mentor, Parent, and Teen FIRST LEGO League Workshops
2. ORTOP Team Financial Support 2017!
3. Summer Showcase Teams NEEDED
4. Robotics Camps Around Oregon - for team members!
5. What is the FIRST LEGO League Season Pass, and Who is it for?
6. Old Challenge Sets Are Available at ORTOP

Read this newsletter as a blog

National Registration is Open for HYDRO DYNAMICS

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

Before today's post, here is the link to change your subscription to ORTOP mailings. If your team is moving up to FIRST Tech Challenge, please make sure you read the last few emails as a lot has happened the last two weeks!

In this post you will find:

1. National Registration Now Open
2. FIRST LEGO League Oregon Coach, Mentor, and Parent Workshops
3. Team Financial Support Update
4. Teacher, Principal, and Administrator workshops from LEGO Education and OMSI
5. Summer Outreach Opportunities
6. ORTOP is hiring
7. Save the Date - HYDRO DYNAMICS Kickoff

Read Below or ONLINE

Preparing for Next Season

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this post you will find:

1. Good Luck Oregon Teams Going to the World Festival
2. Good Luck teams participating in Invitationals in May
3. Teams needed to do demonstrations on May 6
4. Getting Ready for Hydro Dynamics
5. DonorsChoose.org and Newscorp Partner for FIRST

1) Good Luck Oregon Teams Going to the World Festival

The FIRST World Championships and World Festival for Oregon teams will be in Houston, Texas on April 19-22nd. 

Representing Oregon will be:

FIRST LEGO League Jr team:

8286 Bumblebee Jr, Friends & Family, Portland - chosen by lottery in January

FIRST LEGO League our first place Champion's Award winners

11687, The Pandroids, Wy'east Middle School, Hood River

1833, The G.E.A.R.S. (Girls Engineering and Robotics Superstars), West Linn/Tualatin neighborhood team, Tualatin 

FIRST Tech Challenge teams:

750, Gears in Motion, Tigard High School, Tigard - Lottery Winner

3525, Dynamite Robotics, Banks High School, Banks - Lottery Winner

4855, Batteries in Black, Washington County 4H, Portland - 3rd Place Connect Award & Winning Alliance

7013, Hot Wired, Westview High School, Portland - 2nd Place Innovate Award

7750, Mechanical Maniacs, 4H, Sutherlin - Highest Ranked Team from Cascade Winning Division

8045, Gromit’s Grommets, Pleasant Hill High School, Pleasant Hill - Control Award Winner & Finalist Alliance

8176, Steelhead, Hood River Valley High School, Hood River - Think Award Winner; 3rd Place Motivate Award

9769, Total Chaos, Total Chaos 4H Club, Portland - Connect Award Winner

10060, Klamath Coyotes, Eagle Ridge High School, Klamath - 3rd Place Innovate Award

FIRST Robotics Competition teams are:
955, CV Robotics, Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis - Alternate
997, Spartan Robotics, Corvallis High School, Corvallis - Rankings
1425, Error Code Xero, Wilsonville High School, Wilsonville - Rankings
1540, Flaming Chickens, Catlin Gabel School, Portland - Chairmans
2990, Hotwire, Hotwire Robotics, Turner - Rankings
3024, My Favorite Team, Ashland High School, Ashland - Engineering Inspiration
4125, Confidential, Umatilla High School, Umatilla - Chairmans
4488, Shockwave, Glencoe High School, Hillsboro - Rankings
4662, Byte Sized Robotics, Scappoose High School, Scappoose - Rankings
5468, Chaos Theory, Summit High School, Bend - Lottery
5970, BeaverTronics, Beaverton High School, Beaverton - Rankings
6442, Modern Americans, Pendleton High School, Pendleton - Rookie All-Star
6443, Falcons, Liberty High School, Portland - Rookie All-Star
6445, CTEC Robotics, Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC), Salem - Rankings
2471, Team Mean Machine, Camas High School, Washougal High School, Hockinson High School, Camas WA - Rankings
3674, 4-H Clover Bots, Team 3674 4-H Clover Bots, Battleground WA - Rankings

2) Good Luck teams participating in Invitationals in May

Going to LEGOLAND's North America Open in May:

FIRST LEGO League second place Champion's Award winners

16182, Brainiacs with Blue, Portland Neighborhood, Portland

6493, Robotek Xtreme, Bethany Neighborhood, Portland

Going to the Razorback Open in Arkansas in May:

FIRST LEGO League third place Champion's Award winners

96, Gears In Motion, Stem4Girls, Portland

6246, Full STEAM, Wilsonville Neighborhood Team, Wilsonville

3) Teams needed to do demonstrations on May 6

ORTOP will be showcasing FIRST LEGO League at 2 different events.
FIRST LEGO League Jr at Evergreen Aviation Museum - two expos are being planned, one from 9:00am to 12:30pm and one from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
Intel Ronler Acres Open House, ORTOP will have a FIRST LEGO League table and space to engage visitors at the Open House. Teams are needed to help from 10am to Noon and Noon to 2pm.

If your team would like to help at any of these events please complete this form.

4) Getting Ready for Hydro Dynamics

As we approach the end of the school year there is a LOT your team can be doing to prepare for next season. I've been thrilled to hear from many new teams that they are already hard at work doing the following things. I hope your team is too!

• Recruit new coach, assistants, and mentors
• Have them plan on attending Coach, Mentor, and Parent workshops hosted by ORTOP starting in June! (schedule to be posted in May)
• Recruit new team members or start a new team that will share your space or that you can help through their first year.
• Fundraise for registration and seasonal expenses - Registration opens in May for Hydro Dynamics!
• Learn to use a sensor, or use a sensor in a new way! 
• Showcase your robot or project at a local event or on the news! - if you do please send articles, video, or photos to ORTOP!
• Start your investigations into the theme of water. What are problems that people are solving that involve water? What happens to the water you use every day? How does it get to your faucet, where does it go when it goes down the drain? What about other parts of the world? We don't know the restrictions on the new theme, but if your team has a good idea of what is happening in the world they will have a good background to choose their problem to solve. 

Even if your team members aren't meeting right now, it's a great time to plan the occassional work day or encourage team members and coaches to come together (even if it's virtually) to think about the new season. If you wait until school starts there will be a lot to do in a short amount of time. It's best to organize as much as possible BEFORE the summer starts!

5) DonorsChoose.org and Newscorp Partner for FIRST

Through a generous donation from NewsCorp in partnership with DonorsChoose.org, funding is available to help start or support a FIRST® team. Funding is available to any educator in a public or public charter school located in the United States, employed full time by the school or school district and works directly with students at least 75 percent of the time. Funding can be used for registration fees, materials, reasonable and customary FIRST team travel costs. Tell the educators in your area to visit www.donorschoose.org/first to get started

Congratulations Champions, Lots of Announcements

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Oregon,

In this post you will find:

1. Championship Recap and Thank you
2. Winners Lists
3. FIRST LEGO League table in Hood River
4. What your team should be doing now
5. Teacher EV3 learning opportunity March 18
6. Photos from the State Championship - NEW LINK
7. ODE FIRST Grant may not be available for 2017-2018

1) Championship Recap and Thank you

Thank you, everyone, for an amazing ANIMAL ALLIES season! We overcame the winter, we built amazing robots, and teams presented remarkable innovative solutions! This all came together at the Intel Oregon Championship Tournaments presented by Rockwell Collins and I am incredibly impressed by all of the teams I have seen this season. Whether your team just figured out how to get the LEGO technic pieces together, or you've been together 5 years building and innovating your way to bigger and newer solutions, it is obvious that we have a lot to look forward to next season!

We had 113 of our 450 FIRST LEGO League Oregon teams compete. Nearly 175 volunteers each day made our event special for everyone who attended. Thank you everyone who participated this season, and especially those of you who helped or participated at the state championships!

2) Winners Lists

Congratulations to all of our award winners!

Saturday

Sunday

Teams 11687 The Pandroids from Hood River and 1833 The G.E.A.R.S. from West Linn/Tualatin will represent Oregon at the FIRST World Festival in Houston Texas, April 19-22nd.
Teams 16182 Brainiacs with Blue, 6493 Robotek Xtreme, 96 Gears In Motion from Portland, and 6246 Full STEAM from Wilsonville have been invited to represent Oregon at the North America Open at LEGOLAND California, The Razorback Open at the University of Arkansas, and the Mountain State Open with NASA at Fairmont University in West Virginia.
Teams 2242 Bananas to Bats and 13557 The Meme Team were invited to submit their innovative solutions to the ANIMAL ALLIES challenge to the Global Innovation Award sponsored by X-Prize.

Good luck to all of Oregon's continuing teams!

3) FIRST LEGO League table in Hood River

Chana, in Hood River, has a table that needs a new team to give it a home. If your team needs a table for the coming HYDRO DYNAMICS season please email -see email for address-

4) What your team should be doing now
Many teams have already started organizing for next year.
Even if your team isn't actively meeting please work on these tasks - you will be thankful in the fall if you do!

• Fundraising - decide who, where, and what!
• Recruiting - both new team members and mentors
• Decide your team structure, some teams are growing and may need to become two or more teams!
• Set a meeting schedule
• Plan to attend an ORTOP workshop this summer, make sure your team parents are invited!
• Learn new programming and building techniques - there are lots of fun challenges around the internet your team can do, or make up your own! Feel free to share it with us in the comments or on Facebook!
• Schools - now is the best time to recruit and get the team member commitment forms (if you use them) sent out for next year's teams!

5) Teacher EV3 learning opportunity March 18

There are still a few spaces for Oregon teachers looking to learn more. This workshop will get you programming the EV3 brick with touch and light sensors.  This curriculum that is working well to teach students programming and incorporate NGSS and other standards. Sign up online with Eventbrite or go to the main page to learn more.

6) Photos from the state championships - NEW LINK
ORTOP recently moved all of the state championship photos to a new service. We are also in the process of closing our account with Zenfolio as we will not need it any longer. Please find the photos at their new home. Better yet, we won't confuse you with new passwords!

7) ODE FIRST Grant may not be available for 2017-2018
For the last several years many of our public school, both after-school and in-class teams have benefited from the Oregon Department of Education FIRST Grant.  At this time, the grant is no longer in the state budget. If your school benefited from this award, or wanted to, please make that known! This document has some suggestions to help you get started.

I know some teachers are counting on this award opportunity, so please be aware this is happening. ORTOP is doing it's best to approach sponsors, both continuing and new, to continue to offer Team Financial Support Awards, however; we do not have promised funds to cover all teams at this time. If your employer or friends would like to support FIRST LEGO League in Oregon, now is a great time to get started!

My apologies for this post being so long. My inbox became very popular this week!

Best Wishes,
Loridee

Oregon Champions Announcement 9: Paperwork, Parking, and Schedules

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Champions,

Please read ALL of these items:

1. Paperwork for Check-in
2. Parking Instructions
3. LIVE STREAM SURVEY
4. Detailed Schedules

1) Paperwork for Check-in

Nothing is ever official without paperwork. For some teams a lot has changed since December, for others, it's pretty much the same. Either way, I need paperwork from everyone! 

At Team Check-in (at 8am) through the Main Entrance of Glencoe High School the COACH needs these items to check-in the team. 

• The FIRST Team Roster - as printed from the online system. This is required even if your team is using paper forms. This must be printed BEFORE your team arrives.
• Additional Consent forms for any Coach/Chaperones and team members who are not in the electronic system. This includes Teen Mentor Helper who have requested a badge. No one will be allowed in the pit without their form turned in!  Paper consent forms must be signed by a parent or legal guardian for all minors.
• Anyone with a paper consent form, must be legibly handwritten onto the the FIRST Team Roster printout.

What if I have different chaperone's, or a new coach of the day?

They must appear on the roster, either through the FIRST system as a mentor, or by being hand-written on and signing a consent form. 

I have a teen mentor helper, but they just turned 14 and FIRST won't let them in as a mentor. 

Any mentor's helper or 14-year-old who works with the team, who was not 14 before January 2016 is a TEAM MEMBER. Even if they are on a FIRST Tech Challenge team. Their role on the team is to lead and mentor younger team members. 

We merged teams, added new members, etc.

New team members need to be added to the Team Roster and have the appropriate consent forms. Your team MAY NOT have more than 10 team members, 11 is too many, 12 is right out.

Ok, I read everything, now where do I get forms?

Your official FIRST Team Roster is available the two coaches only from their FIRST Dashboard.

• As a coach login to www.firstinspires.org (upper right corner)
• Select the team that is going to state (if you have more than one) using the down arrow on the right side of the screen by the team name.
• Go to Team Contacts
• Make sure everything is correct and print the roster (honestly this part is a bit of a mystery to me as I'm not a coach). 

The Adult Paper Consent Forms can be downloaded here

The Team Member Paper Consent Forms can be downloaded here

The Spanish Language Team Member Paper Consent Forms are here

PLEASE MAKE SURE THE COACH IS THE ONLY ONE WHO STANDS IN LINE TO CHECK IN THE TEAM. Team members can wait for their coach to check-in in the hallway or cafeteria. Teams can not go to the pit area until the coach has completed check-in and given each member their wristband and sticker.

2) Parking Instructions

There is a large parking lot at Glencoe High School where team's can park. IT IS NOT on the same side as the entrance. To help make things easier, teams may unload their equipment in the small lot on the Southwest side of the school, but the drivers MUST drive to the North parking lot to park. The Southwest lot will be used by our Sponsors, VIPs and short visit guests. Please respect this request so that we may showcase the team's work to the public, and keep working to keep the cost of the program down for all teams. 

Once you park in the North Parking lot (right across the street from the shopping center) near the tennis courts or the football field, please walk along the West side of the building to reach the main entrance. Parents who drive kids separately are also asked to park in the North parking lot. If you are by the baseball field you are on the South side of the school. Both entrances have a stoplight.

3) LIVE STREAM SURVEY

At this time only 35 teams have replied to the live stream survey. I need 113 teams to reply to authorize a live stream of the event. Having a live stream is beneficial for our teams from South Oregon and Eastern Oregon, as well as team members with family in other states. However, there are safety concerns with having a live stream and our lawyer will not let me proceed without 100% response. Please check with every parent before answering

Please complete this 3-minute survey today!

Thank you teams, 6246, 19025, 19023, 11326, 28895, 26570, 18225, 96, 27480, 24810, 3163, 16188, 26425, 17074, 19940, 14025, 7699, 24456, 2657, 9568, 18585, 21641, 12416, 15769, 8241, 8654, 13557, 27751, 1833, 17659, 28161, 23871, 11687, 28968, and 8317 for responding already!

4) Detailed Schedules

For your team's convenience, Detailed Schedules for both days have been posted BY TEAM NUMBER. You can download them from the Tournament Website. They are pdf files designed to print on very large paper, so you may need to resize them if you want to print them. 

Your team will be given a schedule that just lists their events as part of the team check-in.

This is a great time to give the Project judging to the up to 10 adults (space is limited) who you would like to witness the Project judging, from behind the team. It is also a good idea to plan your lunch break as it will be slightly different for each team. Each team should have one 30 minute break during the day, but it may not be during the traditional lunch time. If you are ordering lunch from Jersey Girl Pizza, make sure you have a parent to pick up the items and that you tell them the time you will be having your lunch break. Parents can walk to Jersey Girl Pizza using the cross-walk by the North parking lot entrance. 

I know this is a lot, and I'm verbose. This is going to be a great weekend. Good luck to all your teams!

Best Wishes,
Loridee

FIRST LEGO League Champions Announcement 8: One Week Away

Greetings FIRST LEGO League Champions,

In this post you will find:

1. Pre-Tournament Letter and Parent's Letter
2. Advice and Reminders for the Head Referee
3. Team Checklist!
4. Jersey Girl Pizza Update

1) Pre-Tournament Letter and Parent's Letter

Both the pre-tournament coaches' letter and an updated parent's letter have been posted on the Championship Information Page. Please take time to read through the coaches' letter. There are MANY things that have been modified for our new venue at Glencoe High School. The team expectations, judging, and core values remain the same, but some of the queuing, permeabilities, and parking information is DIFFERENT!

Big things to be aware of:

• Main doors are for drop-off only NO PARKING IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL!
• No stairs!!!! Everything is on the main floor
• NO FOOD OUTSIDE OF THE CAFETERIA - including the halls, please respect this and make sure your parents know too!  Water bottles are ok.
• Seating during the ceremonies will be cozy. Prepare to make new friends!

2) Advice and Reminders for the Head Referee

Greetings Coaches and Teams! This note includes some new information, along with a reminder of some information that was sent in December after the qualifying tournaments.

Do you have questions? Contact Tom Mosher (Championships Head Referee) at <fll.rules.or@gmail.com>

General Guidance:

Teams may bring a small table or cart into the competition area for their off-field storage. Or, in addition to the two Technicians, teams may have a third team member who acts as a table. For safety reasons, nothing may be placed on the floor near the competition tables.

Remember when you interrupt your robot, any objects it was transporting, that are not completely in Base, will be removed from the table by the referee and not available for a rerun of the mission.  This is a consequence of the "interruption" rule (R14).  Similarly the "stranding rule" (R15) states any objects a robot has stranded that are partially outside of Base will be removed from the table by the referee.  (Note, however, any objects stranded completely outside of Base are left as is and potentially available for the robot to use from there.)  Please review both of these rules in the Animal Allies Challenge Guide.

Field Setup Notes:

1. 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 placed 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 (see the red arrow below):

2) The setup position for the Flamingo should be facing East (this is shown incorrectly in some FIRST sources).

3) The Flamingo and Bat models are shown incorrectly in the Field Setup Guide and the Challenge Guide. They should be built as shown in the Build Instructions - see the red arrows in the images below.

The back of the Flamingo should be inset two rows of studs from the edge of its base.

The Bat should be flush with the edge of its base.

Mission Notes:

M01 Shark Shipment: Per R11, the Shark and Tank can only be loosely combined. For example, after the match if the referee gently shakes the Tank, the Shark should be loose inside the Tank.

M03 Animal Conservation: Teams who perform this mission 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.

M05 Biomimicry: Interrupting the Robot while the Wall is supporting the Robot’s weight will result in an “Interruption” penalty and the loss of any Transported Objects (R15). The Interrupted Robot can be left on the Wall, but these penalties will apply. If the team is attempting M05 at the end of the match, the team may not turn the robot off before the match ends.

M06 Milking: Scoring any points on this mission requires all three Milk to roll out. In addition, if any of the Manure rolls out, the lower point value will be awarded. If all of the Milk and none of the Manure roll out, the higher point value will be awarded.

M09 Training and Research: In the definition of Transporting (D10), we interpret “contact” to include indirect contact. To illustrate, if A touches B, and B touches C, then A is touching C.

For example, if the Robot simultaneously moves multiple Manure Samples to the Training and Research Area using a container, the “More” rule for M09 is not met; the Robot is in direct contact with the container, and the container is in direct contact with the Manure samples. Therefore the Robot is in contact with more than one Manure sample.

The “More” rule for M09 applies any time any Manure Samples are being Transported – not just between Base and the Training and Research Area.

M10 Bee Keeping: If the team combines the Bee model with anything, R11 also applies.

M14 Milk on Ramp: For Options 2 and 3, the East or West edge of the Ramp may touch the Mat.

Variability:
The Refrigerator (from M04) is an 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 during the event setup, and nothing will be added to the mats to help them flatten other than gravity and smoothing by hand.

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 concepts:

• We do the work with guidance from our coaches. Note that "We" 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.

Want a printable version of Tom's advice?

3) Team Checklist!

I have reposted the Checklist for your teams! I know it's been a while since we've had an event. Please don't forget anything critical, use the checklist!

Not on the list, but good to have:

• Core Values Judges are expecting Core Values Posters
• One Extra Robot Design Introduction Page for your Pit Table and the Medal Ceremony

Whatever happens, make sure you have:

• Your team members
• One lead coach for each team (MUST BE OVER 18), must wear nametag with the star at the event.
• The robot
• Your TEAM ROSTER!!!!! and any needed additional consent forms. Even if you turned one in at your December event, your team MUST have a printed forms at this event. ORTOP does not have access to your electronic information in the FIRST system.

4) Jersey Girl Pizza Update

Thank you all teams for your interest in pre-ordering your Jersey Girl Pizzas and Subs! The website is only set-up for day of orders (oops), but the owners assure me that they are MORE THAN HAPPY to take phone orders BEFORE our event. 

Again 10% of all sales for the attendees of the Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO League Championship Tournament will come back to ORTOP for use with the FIRST LEGO League program!

Schedules will be posted mid-week. Please find your largest break to schedule for your lunch.

Sadly, I was not able to reserve a room block with a nearby hotel. I will use your teams' interest to see if we can make this happen for next year's Championships. 

Best Wishes,

Loridee