VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) ROBOTICS

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What is FLL Robotics?

A division within the MSP Robotics League where 4th to 8th grade students join a robotics team and participate in the annual themed FLL Challenge competition. FIRST Core Values , Robot Design, Robot Game (Missions) and Innovation Project are the four FLL Challenge competition components equally contributing to a team’s total performance and potential advancement at the event(s).

FIRST Philosophies

Gracious Professionalism : Demonstrating high-quality work, highlighting the value of others and respecting individuals and the community.

Coopertition : A fusion of the words "Cooperation" and "Competition", demonstrating that learning is more important than winning. Teams can help others even as they compete.

Core Values

There are six (6) FIRST Core Values that each team should practice among team members and demonstrate at the FLL Challenge competition.

TEAMWORK : We are stronger when we work together.

INCLUSION : We respect each other and embrace our differences.

IMPACT : We apply what we learn to improve.

FUN : We enjoy and celebrate what we do!

DISCOVERY : We explore new skills and ideas.

INNOVATION : We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.

It is advantageous for teams to spend 15-20 minutes each practice completing teambuilding exercises, preparing them to readily demonstrate teamwork to judges during the Core Values component of the FLL Challenge competition. Teams are also encouraged to express the Core Values through Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition which will be evaluated during robot game matches.

Robot Design

Each team will give a short demonstration prepared in advance for the judges. All team members should be ready to respond to any of the judges during the presentation, successfully explaining the significance of their autonomous robot’s design, build, coding, etc.

Robot Game

Each team will build a robot from the LEGO Mindstorm EV3 / SPIKE Prime robotics kit series. The teams will strategize and program their robot to attempt the missions on a 4’ x 8’ playing field in hopes to receive as many points as possible during each 2.5-minute match. The competing robot’s performance is evaluated during the Robot Game with the judges accepting the highest score from the multiple matches at the event.

Innovation Project

Each team will identify a problem relevant to this year's FLL Challenge competition theme to research and solve. Once the team has agreed and put thought into the identified problem, they will then design a new solution or improve upon one that already exists. The team should create a project visual in the form of a model, drawing, prototype, etc., supporting the research and solution. All team members should be prepared to deliver a live, engaging presentation to the judges explaining what all went into completing their Innovation Project.

ROBOTICS SEASON EXPECTATIONS OF MSP VOLUNTEERS

Commitment & Consistency

♦ Fall Season: September - January → Saturdays (10:00am - 2:00pm)

MSP Robotics Practice Locations

♦ Saint Paul → 1063 Iglehart Street, 55104

♦ Minneapolis → 2131 North 12th Avenue, 55411

AVAILABLE VOLUNTEER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

♦ Technical Coach

→ Prepare your team to give a Robot Design presentation to the competition judges.

→ Prepare your team to successfully complete various missions for the Robot Games competition(s).

♦ Non-Technical Coach (Mentor)

→ Prepare your team to deliver their Innovation Project presentation to the competition judges.

→ Prepare your team to demonstrate FIRST Philosophies and Core Values at the robotics competition(s).

VolUNTEERS MUST:

→ Provide a positive STEAM experience, especially for all our BIPOC youth MSP participants.

→ Enjoy working with both elementary and middle school students. *Up to five (5) students per team.

→ Facilitate team practices at an assigned MSP location during the scheduled times.

→ Have the ability to support youth in team building activities, research, projects, and presentations.

→ Provide your own transportation. *Coaches and Mentors are not required to transport students.

→ Pass a Youth Screening and Background Check.

MSP WILL:

♦ Provide all the resources necessary for you to focus on helping your team learn the fundamentals of research, group presentations and teamwork which includes but is not limited to:

→ Recruiting and assigning students to your team as well as providing practice and training space.

→ Taking care of administrative tasks such as team communication and coordination.

→ Handling fundraising efforts along with competition registration, fees, team t-shirts, etc.

→ Providing FLL Challenge competition equipment and materials (i.e., laptop, office & crafting supplies, etc.).

→ Identifying other MSP volunteers, staff and interns that are to be considered additional support.

INTERESTED?

Become an MSP Volunteer! Go to the MSP website (mnstempartners.org) to complete the MSP membership registration. Already a member? Email your preferred volunteer role to MSP Volunteer Manager Janelle Rose (Janelle@mnstempartners.org or Volunteer@mnstempartners.org). Email any additional information requests, questions or concerns to info@mnstempartners.org . We look forward to hearing from you!

Abbreviation Key:

♦ MSP → Minnesota STEM Partnership

♦ BIPOC → Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color

♦ STEAM → Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics