View source for Starting a FIRST LEGO League Challenge Team in Oregon

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Starting a ''FIRST'' LEGO League Challenge team will help children your world receive the [https://ortop.org/about-us/our-impact benefits of a research-proven program] including developing both technical and "soft" skills like project management and communication. This page is being developed to help you understand what you need to do get started.

=''FIRST'' LEGO League Challenge program=

* Targets 4th through 8th graders

* Each season there is a new robot challenge and a new innovation project challenge

=The Robot Challenge=
* Involves a set of missions on a 4-foot by 8-foot mat that sits on a [https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/first-forward/fll-challenge/fll-challenge-robot-game-table-building-instructions.pdf table with walls].
* One of the team's coaches orders the challenge set when the team is registered with ''FIRST''. 
* The team will set up the playing field with the help of adults by building the mission models from bags of LEGO parts that come with the challenge mat.  
* The team members design, build and program a robot that can achieve some of the missions.
* The robots are built from LEGO robotics kits.  
** Current recommended kit is the [https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-spike-prime-set/45678#spike%E2%84%A2-prime SPIKE Prime Set] and the associated [https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-spike-prime-expansion-set/45681 Expansion set]
** The [https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/robot-inventor-51515 LEGO Robot Inventor set] is also allowed although it has somewhat different parts
** With some exceptions, teams can add additional LEGO parts.  See page 21 of [https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/first-forward/fll-challenge/fll-challenge-cargo-connect-robot-game-rulebook.pdf Robot Game Rulebook] for details.
** Older LEGO robotics kits are also allowed although are no longer sold by LEGO
*** Mindstorms EV3 Set
*** Mindstorms NXT Set
*** Mindstorms RCX Set
* In addition to a LEGO robot set, the team will need access to a computer.
* They will load free [[FIRST_LEGO_League_Challenge_Programming#SPIKE_Prime_Software|programming software]] on the computer and use it to program their robot.

=The Innovation Project Challenge=
* Is a real-world topic.
* The team will
** research the topic and what problems exist
** choose a particular problem with in the topic area
** do research on what solutions are already available for the problem
** propose an improved or new solution to the problem
** develop a presentation about their solution
* The Innovation Project can include creating a "prototype" which may involve LEGO parts but this is not required.
* The team receives details of the annual Innovation Project challenge after they register.

=What is a ''FIRST'' LEGO League Challenge Team?=
* 3 to 10 children per team
* Grades 4 to 8, approximately ages 9 to 15.

=Who leads the team?=
* There must be at least two adults who serve as coaches
* These coaches register with ''FIRST'' and complete a background search.
* One of the coaches may take a non-technical role, registering the team, organizing the kids and communicating with parents.
* The one coach may serve as the "technical mentor", teaching the kids about robotics at least until they are ready to explore and learn on their own.
* Other divisions of responsibilities are fine.
* Other adults can play a supporting role
* Teachers can be coaches or simply provide space and let parents do the coaches.
* Key principle: The kids do the work!

=Sources of teams=
* Schools
* Community groups
* Neighborhoods

=''FIRST'' Core Values=
* Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
* Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
* Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
* Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
* Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
* Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

=The FIRST LEGO League Team Experience=
* Miniature engineering project team stressing
** Creativity and teamwork
** Engineering principles: requirements, alternatives, rapid prototyping, testings, improving, ...
* Hands-on problem solving
* Context is a real-world situation
* Team members can cycle through multiple roles during the season: designers, builders, programmers, researchers, communicators, ....
* See [https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/first-forward/fll-challenge/fll-challenge-participation-rules.pdf Participation Rules] for additional information.
* Again: The kids do the work!

=Typical Season=
* Teams form in summer or early fall.
* Most of the work is done September through November.
* Can be two or three afternoon meetings a week or perhaps a longer meeting on the weekend.
* Teams try work on both their robot and their innovation project each week.
* Teams attend a Qualifying Tournament during one of the first two weekends in December.
* Teams that do particular well at a qualifying tournament are invited to a state championship in January.

=Team Costs=
* Start-up Costs
** ''FIRST'' LEGO League SPIKE Prime set with Expansion Set: $450
** Materials for [https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/first-forward/fll-challenge/fll-challenge-robot-game-table-building-instructions.pdf table]: $50 to $100
* Yearly costs
** ''FIRST'' LEGO League Team Registration Fee: $250
** Season Challenge Set: $95
** Team shirts or hats: $40 to $100
** Oregon qualifying tournament fee: About $200 but discounts available
** Championship Tournament usually involves an additional fee

=''FIRST'' FLL Challenge Registration Fee=
* Official ''FIRST'' LEGO League Challenge team number
* Printed copies of the Team Meeting Guide, Robot Game Rulebook and Engineering Notebooks
* Ability to register and compete in ''FIRST'' LEGO League Challenge events.
* Access to the ''FIRST'' storefront to purchase the Challenge Set and discounted LEGO Robot sets.
* Access to team roster to register team members including mentors and participants.

=Possible Sources of Funding=
* Team member dues
** Having some portion of costs picked up by team members' families gives a sense of commitment, but can be a barrier to participation.
** Provide an easy, private way for students in need to request a discount or waiver.
** Make sure your approach is consistent with policies of any affiliates like a school.
* Fundraising activities
**Car washes, bottle & can drives, etc. can be good ways to raise some money
**Help students make sure it is well organized
**Make sure your team is following applicable laws regarding raffles, etc.
* Team sponsors
** Good way to teach fundraising skills and build student confidence in speaking to others.
** Provide sponsor recognition on T-shirts, web, etc.
** Students can follow up with 
***thank-you notes
***demonstrations of their robot 
***presentation of their innovation project
* ORTOP Team Financial Support 
** [https://ortop.org/for-teams/team-support/ Application process] typically open in June.
** Rolling awards are made during the summer.
** Final deadline usually in mid September.
** Includes funding from ORTOP sponsors.
** Read the application process for additional requirements.

= Registering a Team =
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXA4_xESx8LlYzqCOe-W8tIjWSYYbZtf/view?usp=sharing Registering a Team with ''FIRST'']
** During or after registering a team with ''FIRST'' you can access the storefront to order a robot set and a season challenge set
* [https://ortop.org/season-registration/ Registering a Team with ORTOP]