Questions and Answers about FLL and the Northern California FLL Tournament
Important: Before attending an FLL tournament, review your
FLL Team Manual and any instructions from the tournament director.
Also, make sure you review the challenge
rules and the official
challenge Q & A page on the FLL web site.
Where do I find information about the Northern
California FLL Tournament on January 8th? [12/1/2004]
Who do I contact to volunteer to help with Northern
California FLL Tournaments?
[updated 12/1/2004]
-
We will need many volunteers to have successful events. See:
-
E-mail info@playingatlearning.org
to find out how you can help, or if you have someone to recommend as a
judge or referee.
Can we bring more than 3 motors or 2 RCXs
to the competition area?
[12/1/2004]
Can we move unused balls (in their racks)
outside of base without any penalties?
[12/1/2004]
Is a consent form needed for adult coaches
and mentors who will be in the pit area, as well as for each team member?
[12/1/2004]
-
Yes. Please read page 60 of your team manual. You may not participate
without this completed form.
-
You can download consent forms here:
Are
FLL Shirts available this year? [updated 12/1/2004]
-
Robotics Learning will be producing the exclusive shirt design shown
here (available only from Robotics Learning).
-
An order form
is now available on the Robotics Learning web site: CLICK
HERE FOR THE SHIRT ORDER FORM.
-
You are able to specify the shirt color, sizes and whether you want the
design printed on the front or back.
-
Although printing costs are higher this year, we've reduced the shirt
prices this year to $14 and $16, and also added a quantity
discount.
-
Robotics Learning will donate about $3.50 to the Northern California Tournament
for each shirt sold!
-
Shirts ordered by December 12 should be ready by
December 20.
-
If you have a question, contact shirts@RoboticsLearing.com
When and how do teams apply to participate
in the Northern California FLL Tournament? [8/30/2004]
-
IMPORTANT: You must apply to the State
Tournament to be eligible to qualify at a regional tournament.
-
Make sure you go to the TEAM LOGIN section of the registration page (where
you enter a Team NUMBER and password, not an email address).
-
Submitting the tournament application does not mean you are accepted
to the tournament.
-
To compete in the Northern California FLL Tournament, teams must also
qualify at an approved regional tournament.
-
Each regional tournament has its own application process.
They may have a modest participation fee that must be paid before you are
confirmed
-
Information on Northern California regional tournaments are posted as they
are organized.
-
Depending on the number of competing teams, we estimate between 20%
to 40% of teams will advance to the Northern Calfornia FLL tournament.
-
Teams advancing to the Northern Calfornia FLL Tournament should pay their
$50
tournament fee as soon as they qualify.
-
If you are interested in organizaing a regional tournament, contact
info@playingatlearning.org.
How do we find a regional tournament to attend?
How do we help with or organize our own regional? [updated
9/15/2004]
-
Information on Northern California events and tournaments will be posted
as they are organized, so for the latest information, see the following
FLL web site:
-
Also look on the FLL
Forum web site. Find the Northern California discussion
folder. Use can use the discussion forum for contact other teams
and coaches. Look under:
-
You can also send an email to NCaFLL@yahoogroups.com
if you have an announcement or request you want other Northern California
FLL coaches to see.
-
If you are considering hosting a regional tournament, or even a local practice
event, contact jwilker@playingatlearning.org
What do we do if some of our challenge field parts
are missing? [9/30/2003]
-
Note that this year the adhesive dual lock material is packed in the box
with the LEGO parts, not the long box with the challenge mat.
-
If you need to contact LEGO to replace any parts you never received or
that arrived damaged (including the field mat), the LEGO
Educational Division Customer Service number is 800-362-4308.
Where do we find Guides for coaching FLL teams?
[8/30/2004]
How do we host a regional tournament? [updated
9/15/2004]
-
It is not difficult to host a regional. You need to arrange a location,
set a date, and invite some teams.
-
To find out what teams would be interested in attending or helping with
your regional, send an email to NCaFLL@yahoogroups.com
and post a message on the FLL Forum (see below)..
-
Visit the FLL
Forum web site, find the Northern California discussion folder,
and post a message about your proposed event. Try using the discussion
forum for contact other teams and coaches. Look under:
-
It is best if you can get 10 teams or more.
-
You should get the participating teams to help do the work, loan playing
fields, etc.
-
You will need some judges and referees who are not directly coaching any
of the teams.
-
There are judging and referee guides from FIRST that we can provide.
-
You can charge a fee to the teams to cover your costs (usually $25 or less).
-
There is a guide for hosting local events on the FLL web site. It
has been updated for this season, and it assumes a large event, so read
it realizing you can simplify or leave out many of the elements it describes.
It is linked from the FLL Teams
and Tournaments page. See the link labeled Host of Post an Event:
-
and then download the PDF file at the "Host Your Own Local Event Guide"
link:
-
You will need to evaluate teams using the judging criteria and categories
described in your FLL team manual and judging guide. Selection of
the top teams should take into account all the major cateories that go
into the Director's Award.
-
As soon as you've decided to host a regional, post it on the FLL Teams
and Tournaments page.
How do teams register for FIRST LEGO League?
When is the deadline for this season? [8/30/2004]
-
To register one or more FLL teams, visit the team registration page at
register4fll.com
-
Registration is open between early May through early October, 2004.
How do I update our team profile, including the
email address for receiving important announcements? [10/6/2003]
Does it matter how much the coaches and parents
help the kids on their robot and presentation? [9/17/2003]
-
The work on the design, construction and programming of the team's robot,
as well as the research and presentation of the research project must be
done by the team members, not by any of the coaches, parents or
other adults. It is important to follow the guidelines in the team
manual about coaches providing facilitation and guidance for the kids,
but not working directly on the content of the project. The tournament
judges will be able to tell when interviewing the team whether they did
their own work. Do not jeopardize your team's chances of an award
by helping them inappropriately.
Are local training workshops available for new
FLL Coaches and Mentors? [8/30/2004]
May FLL teams use LEGO parts other than those that
are included with the FLL Robot Set? Where is the allowed parts list?
[8/30/2004]
-
As in the previous season, for the 2004 season, there will be almost
no restriction on the LEGO parts allowed in the construction of an
FLL challenge robot, except for a limit on electrical parts (i.e. 3 motors,
2 light sensors, 1 rotation sensor, 1 RCX). Consult the rules in
your team manual for more details.
How do I make a donation to help support the Northern California Tournament?
[10/17/2003]
If you still have an unanswered question, check out the http://ncafll.home.comcast.net/
site or send an email to NCaFLL-directors@yahoogroups.com
