9/5 Practice Roundup

We made a lot of progress!

Core Values:  All kids came home with a core value and a date.  Each kid will lead a game that relates to their core value on that date.  Shoot for 5 – 10 minutes for the game (they always take longer than we think!).  Links to some sources for games can be found here, but there are lots more.  Feel free to invent your own or use a favorite from any source!

Robot:  Hudson was the voice of experience leading the charge on getting a second starter robot built with Isaac and Cashion.  They did a GREAT job and were superstars as far as staying on task and working together with very minimal supervision.  Congrats, guys!

Programming:  Two rookies from each team got their feet wet with EV3 programming.  They figured out how to make the robot travel a specific distance based on the circumference of the wheels.  They drove it of the table (maybe I did that…?), tested a basic turn and talked about how to make sure your programs are understandable come tournament time. 

Project Research:  A small group from each team started working on how they will narrow down our VERY broad project focus into something specific and actionable.  Both teams came away with homework for this. 

·         Team 3849 (working with Sue) should be thinking of something they are PASSIONATE about that could be taught/learned through a game. 

·         Team 4010 (working with Sarah) has four possible learner groups that they will discuss and consider on Monday.  Kids are encouraged to think about these groups and pick the one they find most interesting OR come up with a group they are more interested in and be prepared to make their case to the team.  They also came to consensus that whatever solutions they come up with should incorporate the use of technology in learning.  Sarah provided an excellent summary of where they are that is posted here.  Please review that with your kids!

Team 4010 -- Update on Friday from Sarah

Hi folks.  We are off and running. Please read these emails so that you know what the kids accomplished at each practice, and can see what needs to be accomplished at the next practice, and can specifically see what HOMEWORK needs to happen between practices.  Seriously – we need the kids to know there’s homework, and to do the homework, and to bring it with them to the next practice.

I worked with Mateo, Ashton, Will and Ainsley about the research project today.  This year’s theme is “FLL World Class: Learning Unleashed.”  The team will need to state a research question in this form:  “How could we improve the way someone learns ____ (topic chosen by team.)”  

The team will spend 12 weeks researching their question.  The team will ultimately design a 5 minute presentation for the judges which (i) explains their research, and (ii) answers the question. 

Given that the topic is so frustratingly broad, the kids and I discussed the need to narrow the topic, and to set parameters to help guide the full team discussion on Monday.  We brainstormed possible topics, then we brainstormed types of learners.  The brainstorming really took off when we starting thinking about groups of learners -- did we want to focus on a topic that kids would learn, or adults? That led us to a discussion of people with particular physical challenges who need to learn differently.  We talked about how deaf people might learn through Google Glass eyewear;  or how non-English speakers might learn English through a real-time interpreter app; or how quadriplegics or paraplegics might be able to re-learn muscle movement with technology; or how braille keyboards help blind people learn.  It was a really neat discussion!

Our group is proposing four options for the full team vote on Monday about the type of learner to be involved in our research: (i) the blind learner; (ii) the deaf learner; (iii) the learner with physical limitations such as a quadriplegic or a paraplegic, or (iv) a non-English speaking learner.  We are asking team members to think about these options over the weekend – which type of learner would be interesting to research for the next 12 weeks?  Come prepared to vote on Monday.  If you want to add another type of learner for consideration, come prepared to give a 1 minute explanation of the type of learner you want to place into consideration.

After the vote on the type of learner, we’ll spend some time brainstorming topics that the learner might want to learn.  (If that is not settled on Monday, we will vote on the topic next Friday.)

Once we have a type of learner and a topic, our research will kick into high gear.  The kids will start to research the ways the topic is learned by this type of learner.  The research will take place once a week during the school day (during Roots and Wings), as well as during practice, as well as through homework.  A particular highlight early in the season is to take FIELD TRIPS to interview professionals or other experts in the topic area.  Once we agree on our research question, we can start planning lots of fun research!

After the research is underway, the team will need to start developing an innovate answer to our specific research question.  Will, Ainsley, Mateo and Ashton are in agreement that the answer should involve technology.  Perhaps learning how to do something via Google glasses, or through a “Siri Educator,” or perhaps a game like Minecraft.  Stay tuned!

Game Updates

"Scott has already posted his first 6 Robot Game Updates, and Jinnel has posted a Project Update, as well. Stay current on these clarifications and changes by viewing the Challenge Updates at http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2014fllworldclass. 
                
These updates are also pushed to the app." 

Wait!  The app?  Yep!  Looks like it's the Coaches' Handbook, Challenge and Updates. Cool!
iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/first-lego-league-fll/id909746033?mt=8
Google Play here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.usfirst.fll

In the meantime, you can check out the official FLL blog from FIRST here.  Check out the recorded Ask the Expert sessions!

The Science of Smart

Caught the tail end of this on the radio this weekend and was fascinated! It's an hour long and detailed. It's also directly related to this year's challenge! If you have the time, give a listen!

http://www.wnyc.org/story/science-smart/

Also, there's a link to the transcript here: http://www.americanradioworks.org/science-of-smart-transcript/

No podcast so far, but I'll post it if it shows up!

Teams!

At our last practice, kids found out who makes up their teams. The rundown is below. Each kid also came up with a word starting with the same letter as their name that they think is a quality of a good team. We won't spill the beans here, but ask them to explain how or why their word fits!

Team 3849	Team 4010
Ainsley -- Awesome	Anna -- Attentive
Ashton -- Attentive	Attia -- Awesome
Bryce -- Brave	Graham - Great
Cashion -- Careful	Harper -- Happy
Charlotte -- Creative	Isaac -- Intelligent
Eva -- Enjoy	Jackson -- Judgement
Fiona -- Fun	Margaret -- Marvelous/Mindful
Hudson -- Helpful	Melena -- Magnificent
Mateo -- Meaningful	Sally -- Significant
Will -- Wonderful

We know everyone's busy studying the challenge, so here's a handy picture of the table to help with understanding the missions (click to make it bigger or get the original here):

World Class Challenge is Released!

Today is challenge release day!  Follow the link below to download a copy of the challenge.  Kids need to look at the project information (pages 2-5) and the Missions (pages 26 – 29) before practice on Friday. 

http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2014fllworldclass

Of course, they can read the whole thing and/or have a look at the videos as well.  We will be going through the mission video in particular as a group as we get the table is all set up and ready to go.

Also, we asked kids to bring in a folder/binder (with pockets) for FLL.  If they can get those before Friday, that would be ideal.

See you on Friday!

Welcome back 2014 Claxton FIRST Lego League!

First practice THIS Friday – August 22

Thanks to everyone who got their registration in early, we are ready NOW with our field kits!

Friday will be an ALL HANDS ON DECK practice.

In an ideal world we will have at least 10 adults at practice
on Friday to manage building.

Practices moving forward Monday & Friday – we pick the kids up in the gym after school and will be done at 4:00.  Please make sure kids know NOT to take the bus home on Monday and Friday.