Need help getting started? There are a number of opportunities to attend a FIRST LEGO League Challenge “Jump-Start” or a Coach Training this year!
Jump Starts are a great way for rookie teams to get up to speed, but veteran teams are also welcome. Each Jump-Start is being individually hosted, so the particular agenda may vary, but they typically include breakout sessions where team members and coaches can learn about the robot, the challenge theme (for project prep) and core values. Attendance is free, but please register by the Wednesday prior to the Saturday event. If the registration number exceeds the capacity of a facility, registration for that event will be closed. At least one adult (team’s coach, mentor, interested parent, etc.) will need to attend with each team (group of 10 students) and be with the students in any of the breakout sessions. No students may be dropped off unaccompanied.
Coach Trainings provide an overview of the FIRST LEGO League program, including an introduction to the robot and coding, and are adults only. Attendance is free, but please register by the Wednesday prior to the Saturday event. If the registration number exceeds the capacity of a facility, registration for that event will be closed.
To make the most of these opportunities, it is recommended that you:
- Build your robot ahead of time. Instructions for a basic robot come with the Spike Prime set (or EV3 set, which is still allowed).
- Bring your team laptop with the software already loaded. Note that the software for Spike Prime is Scratch based and also works with the EV3. For the old EV3 edition, go to the “EV3 Lab Software”. You can download the free LEGO EDUCATION SPIKE Prime software HERE or the EV3 Lab Software (original EV3 edition) HERE.
2024 Locations and Dates
LAFAYETTE: FIRST LEGO League Jump Start (coaches and students)
Saturday, September 7th , 8:30 – 11:45 am, at Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy, 600 Savoy Rd, Youngsville, LA 70592. (High School Building) Hosted by FIRST Robotics Competition Team Phenomena 3616
Topics: Building and Programming Strategies to maximize Points and assistance with creating Innovation Solution to a problem relating to the 2024 Theme all guided by the FIRST Core Values.
Bring: Robots and laptops will be helpful if you have particular questions. Valuable resources will be shared to help with programming and tips for an Innovation Solution to a Problem.
REGISTER BELOW (please register by Wednesday, September 4, 2024).
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NEW ORLEANS: FIRST LEGO League Coach Training (adults only)
Saturday, September 7th, 9am-12:30pm – at the University of New Orleans TRAC Center on UNO’s campus in New Orleans. Louis Jackson, Louisiana FIRST Senior Mentor and past coach of an award-winning FIRST LEGO League team, will introduce coaches to the new SUBMERGED season and provide guidance on building and programming your robot, tackling the missions, and managing a team. Attendance is free, but reservations are required. Parking details will be emailed to all registered participants. Both rookies and veterans are welcome! REGISTER BELOW.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE EVENT:
* A programmable base robot
* A device that can be used to program the robot
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HAMMOND: FIRST LEGO League Jump Start (coaches and students)
Saturday, September 21st, 9am-2pm. FRC Torbotics 2080 is proud to announce their 7th annual FIRST LEGO League Jump Start to occur on Saturday, September 21st at Hammond High Magnet School. This event will cater to both rookie and veteran teams with breakout sessions on programming, robot design and team development geared to the needs of each group. We are also putting together a panel of professionals in the area of oceanic discovery and engineering to help spark potential project research ideas as we aim to submerge ourselves.
To attend the Hammond Jump Start, you must REGISTER AT THIS LINK = https://forms.gle/Gqt4Ch1YS8eNfhFn9. At least one adult will need to attend with each team. This adult can be the team’s coach, mentor, interested parent, etc. All students must be accompanied by an adult to the robot design, programming and professional panel break out sessions. There will be an FRC Torbotics team member assigned to each FLL team. This student will be your team’s guide throughout the event to assist you, as needed. Several of our FRC team members started their FIRST journey on FLL Challenge and Explore teams and have also been involved in FTC. They are a great resource to answer questions from a student’s perspective.
TENTATIVE EVENT SCHEDULE:
9:00 am – 9:30 am Team Arrival & Welcome
9:30 am – 10:20 am 1st Breakout Session
10:30 am – 11:20 am 2nd Breakout Session
11:30 am – 12:00 am 3rd Breakout Session and Team Core Values Exchange
12:00 am – 12:40 pm Lunch
12:40 pm – 1:45 pm Project Development: Professional Panel and Activities
1:45pm – 2pm Closing Remarks & Next Steps Reminders
BREAKOUT SESSIONS WILL INCLUDE:
* Robot Design & Strategy: Explore innovative robot design, strategic game play techniques, and helpful tips for attachment designs.
* SPIKE Prime Programming: Focus on programming with SPIKE Prime, offering practical guidance and tips to help participants enhance their coding skills and optimize robot performance.
* EV3 Programming: Explore programming with EV3 Mindstorms, learn essential techniques and strategies to enhance a robots performance and sensor usage
* Preparing for Competitions – What to Expect: Prepare for competition by learning what to expect on event day, including tips on navigating the schedule, understanding judging sessions, and helping your team feel comfortable with the experience.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE EVENT:
* A programmable base robot (if you group would like help preparing a base robot before the event please let us know)
* A device that can be used to program the robot
* Innovation Project Ideas
Teams may elect to bring their own lunch or can participate in a bulk pizza order and delivery. More information regarding lunch options will be sent to registered teams as it gets closer to the event. If you have any questions as you are helping your team plan for this event, you are invited to email frcteam2080@gmail.com or you can contact Jean Williams (jean.williams@tangischools.org).
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NATIONAL LEVEL TRAINING: FIRST Certified Professional Development
August, September, October – please see https://www.firstinspires.org/community/educators/professional-development for remote and in-person options. The fee is $600 per seat, but with the remote training, there can be 3 teachers per seat, as long as all are in the same location for the training logging in from a single computer.
FIRST has just announced that there are FREE SEATS available to teachers who would like to attend a 2-day FIRST LEGO League Challenge, Explore, Discover or FTC professional development workshop at NASA, Stennis Space Center in MS on August 26 & 27. The flyer is attached. To request one of those free seats, please contact Dana Aucoin (daucoin@firstinspires.org) to process. This is an excellent way, for new coaches especially, to get up to speed. FIRST does a great job packing a lot into these workshops!
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General questions regarding the Jump Starts and Training may be addressed to
Louisiana FIRST LEGO League Program Delivery Partners:
Dr. Annette Oertling and Dr. Michelle Sanchez
aoertling@firstpartners.org msanchez@firstpartners.org