Fondy Lego Robotics

Coaches: -->Food Factor (R) Challenge is LIVE!Almost 14,000 unique visitors found their way to firstlegoleague.org on Challenge Release Day (September 2nd). Were you one of them? Check here for all the Challenge info: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2011foodfactor -->Challenge Updates and RemindersWe will be posting updates to Robot Game rules on the Robot Game Updates page: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/robotgameupdatesBe sure to check here often. There have 11 updates as of September 9th. Remember, if you have Robot Game questions the first place to check is the Robot Game Field Setup, Mission, and Rules document, then the Robot Game Updates, and finally, if you can’t find your answer, email [email protected] Other important pages: Project FAQ: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/foodfactorprojectJudging FAQ: http://firstlegoleague.org/event/judging --> Robot Game Coach CallOn Monday, September 12 at 7pm ET, FIRST(R) Senior Mentors will be hosting the 4th coach call of the season, “The Robot Game”. You can find the outline here: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresourcesCall In Phone Number: 1-866-951-1151Conference Room: 7052714Each call can hold up to 1000 callers -->In case you missed it…The recording for “Programming Tips” coach call is now posted: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresources. Review what you’ve learned or listen for the first time! -->Are you a “Taker-Aparter”? Do you have a knack for dissembling and rebuilding things? For example, we’ve heard of a person taking apart an old computer monitor and turning it into a functioning fish tank! FIRST wants to know: What have you taken apart and rebuilt? Know of any cool things to make with an old cell phone? How ‘bout a VCR or a remote control car? Your submissions may be featured in the FIRST Newsletter or in other capacities in the coming months. Join the conversation! Share your stories with us at [email protected] by Wednesday, September 14th. Please include a photo of your cool creation, and if you have a team photo, send that along, too! With High 5’s and Admiration,FLL Team Support Stay Connected with FLL!Twitter (@firstlegoleague)| YouTube (youtube.com/fllglobal)|FLL Blog (fllblog.wordpress.com) FIRST(R) LEGO(R) League (http://firstlegoleague.org) | [email protected] | +1 603-666-3906 x0, +1 800-871-8326 x0 | FIRST(R) (http://usfirst.org) - 200 Bedford Street – Manchester NH USA 03101

Coaches:

 -->Basic Programming: Tips, Skills, & Resources – Coach Call (US/CAN TEAMS)On Wednesday, September 7 at 7pm ET, FIRST(R) Senior Mentors will be hosting - “Basic Programming: Tips, Skills, & Resources”. Looking for specific s? When available, outline will be posted: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresourcesCall in Phone Number: 1-866-951-1151, Conference Room: 7052714Each call can hold up to 1000 callers

-->Challenge Releases Friday! (GLOBAL)Don’t forget to visit http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2011foodfactor on Friday, September 2 at 12:00pm ET to download all Challenge-related materials, includes Robot Game, Project, Core Values, and Rubrics & Awards.

-->Make the Connection… (US/CAN TEAMS)…with FIRST TeamUp! If you are interested in finding additional members or mentors for your team OR, you want to connect with others in your area who are interested in FLL (perhaps start a new team?) go to https://my.usfirst.org/FIRSTPortal/login/fc_login.aspx?s=fc. Please note that FIRST does not screen, select, or supervise coaches, mentors or students so it is not in a position to vouch for them. Use common sense and your judgment when selecting and interacting with the volunteers who will be working with your child.

-->New FLL Poll (GLOBAL)We’re trying out some new features on the website. Take the first of many FLL polls/quizzes here: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2011foodfactor. Have any questions you want to see up there? Send them to [email protected] with the subject line, “Poll ideas for firstlegoleague.org”.

--> New Videos – Challenge Experts (GLOBAL)Why do our Challenge Advisory Team members think food safety is important to FLL teams? What do they hope teams will get out of the Challenge? Find out! http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/catWith High 5’s and Admiration,

FLL Team Support

Stay Connected with FLL!Twitter (@firstlegoleague)| YouTube (youtube.com/fllglobal)|FLL Blog (fllblog.wordpress.com)

FIRST(R) LEGO(R) League (http://firstlegoleague.org) | [email protected] | +1 603-666-3906 x0, +1 800-871-8326 x0 | FIRST(R) (http://usfirst.org) - 200 Bedford Street – Manchester NH USA 03101

FLL Coaches,

I have been asked to pass along this excellent season kick-off and socialization event at Watertown HS to all currently registered Wisconsin teams. Paul Mech p.s. I look forward to working with all of you as the new Operational Partner for Wisconsin.

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Dear FLL Coaches,

Would you like to start your team off with a BANG this year? We have just the opportunity for you!!! Please join us on September 2nd, from 6:30-8:00pm for a 2011 Seasonal Kick-Off Celebration at Watertown High School in the Auditorium. ALL Wisconsin FLL Teams are invited at NO COST. Provided: Cookies, Beverages, and Door PrizesExpect: Loud Music, Fun, and a detailed video-aided "Live Presentation" of this year's challenge - Food Factor. Please RSVP to [email protected]

-->Coaching A Team – Coach Call (US/CAN TEAMS)On Tuesday, August 23 at 7pm ET, FIRST® Senior Mentor, Donald Brobst, will be hosting - “Coaching A Team”. Looking for call specifics? Check out the outline : http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresourcesCall In Phone Number: 1-866-951-1151, Conference Room: 7052714Each call can hold up to 1000 callers -->Halfway There! (US/CAN TEAMS)FLL® is officially halfway to the goal for the 2011 Food Factor® season. (Don’t worry, we’ll tell you the final numbers when we have an official count at the end of registration.) Historically, there has been a large influx of registrations at the end of August/September: http://gofll.usfirst.org. Make sure to tell your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to register soon! With High 5’s and Admiration,FLL Team Support Stay Connected with FLL!Twitter (@firstlegoleague)| YouTube (youtube.com/fllglobal)|FLL Blog (fllblog.wordpress.com) FIRST(R) LEGO(R) League (http://firstlegoleague.org) | [email protected] | +1 603-666-3906 x0, +1 800-871-8326 x0 | FIRST(R) (http://usfirst.org) - 200 Bedford Street – Manchester NH USA 03101

FLL Coaches, I have been asked to pass along this excellent season kick-off and socialization event at Watertown HS to all currently registered Wisconsin teams. Paul Mech p.s. I look forward to working with all of you as the new Operational Partner for Wisconsin.__________________________________________________________________ Dear FLL Coaches, Would you like to start your team off with a BANG this year? We have just the opportunity for you!!! Please join us on September 2nd, from 6:30-8:00pm for a 2011 Seasonal Kick-Off Celebration at Watertown High School in the Auditorium. ALL Wisconsin FLL Teams are invited at NO COST. Provided: Cookies, Beverages, and Door PrizesExpect: Loud Music, Fun, and a detailed video-aided "Live Presentation" of this year's challenge - Food Factor. Please RSVP to [email protected]

-->FIRST thing first… (GLOBAL)Teams do such an amazing job promoting FLL in schools and communities, so please remember the FIRST in FIRST LEGO League. FLL is a partnership between FIRST and LEGO. Help us put the FIRST back in FIRST LEGO League! -->Video Madness (GLOBAL)Have you been to the FLL YouTube channel lately, http://youtube.com/fllglobal? There are some awesome new Project videos posted. Consider them your “Project How-To Guides”. -->Junior Judges? (GLOBAL)What an awesome idea! Read about one FLL-er’s journey at the Open European Championship, http://fllblog.wordpress.com. -->Food Factor Preparations (GLOBAL)New to FLL? Need to brush up on FLL rules and team guidelines? Whatever the case may be your questions will be answered during one of the FLL Coach Calls. Hosted by FIRST Senior Mentors and staffed by FLL experts, these calls will explore topics that are important to coaches. Check out the times and topics here: http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresources -->Calling Future Jr.FLL-ers! (US/CAN TEAMS)Registration and product ordering begins on August 1st at 12pm ET, http://usfirst.org/jrfll. Remember… as soon as you register and pay teams get INSTANT access to the Snack Attack Challenge. Be the first in your neighborhood to experience the 2011 Jr.FLL season! With High 5’s and Admiration, FLL Team Support Stay Connected with FLL!Twitter (@firstlegoleague)| YouTube (youtube.com/fllglobal)|FLL Blog (fllblog.wordpress.com) FIRST(R) LEGO(R) League (http://firstlegoleague.org) | [email protected] | +1 603-666-3906 x0, +1 800-871-8326 x0 | FIRST(R) (http://usfirst.org) - 200 Bedford Street – Manchester NH USA 03101

-->“Food Factor” on Pace for Record Breaking Season! 3,263 teams have already registered for the 2011 FLL Challenge season – “Food Factor”. Registration will close at the end of September or when all the spots have been filled so tell your friends and neighbors to sign up now! Online registration is easier than ever at http://gofll.usfirst.org Remember, once you pay, the robot set (if ordered) and registration materials will be sent out ASAP. P.S. - Field setup kits are set to ship in August! With High 5’s and Admiration, FLL Team Support Stay Connected with FLL!Twitter (@firstlegoleague)| YouTube (youtube.com/fllglobal)|FLL Blog (fllblog.wordpress.com) FIRST(R) LEGO(R) League (http://firstlegoleague.org) | [email protected] | +1 603-666-3906 x0, +1 800-871-8326 x0 | FIRST(R) (http://usfirst.org) - 200 Bedford Street – Manchester NH USA 03101

--> Congratulations to the Flying Monkeys, Blue Gear Ticks, and the 4th Motor……winners of the FLL Global Innovation Award, presented by the X PRIZE Foundation and in cooperation with the USPTO. View the raw footage from the actual ceremony: https://uspto.connectsolutions.com/p14312057/And check out the FLL Twitter feed for pictures and quotes from the event, @firstlegoleague. -->Promote the new seasons: Food Factor (FLL) & Snack Attack (Jr.FLL)Food Factor poster – http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/resourcecenter.aspx?id=18536Snack Attack poster - http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/resourcecenter.aspx?id=18542 -->Gone in 60 Seconds!Ever had to describe FLL to someone in a minute? Well now you can show them! Check out the new FLL animation, featured on the FIRST LEGO League website (http://firstlegoleague.org) or on the FLL YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmKwF0Fs09Q&feature=channel_video_title) -->Dean Kamen and Food FactorWhat do Dean and cheesecake have in common? Find out here: http://superchefblog.com/2011/06/17/first-lego-league-interview-with-dean-kamen -->MoonBots Registration Extended!MoonBots 2.0: A Google Lunar X PRIZE LEGO MINDSTORMS Challenge has extended the registration timeline. Registration and Phase One: May 9-June 26, 2011. For additional information, please visit: www.moonbots.org With High 5’s and Admiration, FLL Team Support Stay Connected with FLL!Twitter (@firstlegoleague)| YouTube (youtube.com/fllglobal)|FLL Blog (fllblog.wordpress.com) FIRST(R) LEGO(R) League (http://firstlegoleague.org) | [email protected] | +1 603-666-3906 x0, +1 800-871-8326 x0 | FIRST(R) (http://usfirst.org) - 200 Bedford Street – Manchester NH USA 03101

FIRST® wants to know: What have you done in the name of innovation?

 in•no•va•tion noun: the introduction of something new; a new idea, method, or device: novelty.

Do you have an insatiable appetite for innovation? Innovation can take many forms, and we would like our FIRST team members to share their most creative solutions with us! These stories do not necessarily have to be related to your FIRST experience—we want to hear all about your inno-ventures; from the super successful, to the faulty flops and everything in between!

Kamen’s conundrum: FIRST founder and renowned inventor, Dean Kamen subscribes to the philosophy that anything is possible. He is not one to let anything stand in his way, and has often gone to extreme measures to follow through with his ideas. While studying at WPI, Kamen made frequent trips home to work on what is now known as the AutoSyringe. The basement of his parents’ home was getting crowded, and the claustrophobic environment was interfering with his project. Rather than let issues such as space get in the way of innovation, Kamen simply hired a crew to prop the house up on stilts to expand the basement under a newer wing of the house. You may be wondering what his parents thought of this whole ordeal—well, Kamen sent them on a cruise during the period of heaviest construction!

Silly? Savvy? Spill it! Have you ever done anything as extreme (or not) as Dean Kamen’s house-raising stunt in an effort to bring your idea to life? Your submissions may be featured in the FIRST Newsletter or in other capacities in the coming months.

Join the Innovation Conversation! Share your stories with us at [email protected] by Friday, July 1.

**Please pass this along to all of your student team members!**