FLL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I find a FLL or JrFLL team for my child?
2. How do I register a team for FLL or JrFLL?
3. Where can we get help with programming the Lego NXT brick?
4. How do I raise money for my FLL team?
5. What is the typical judging process at an FLL competition?
6. What is the typical robot competition process at an FLL competition?
7. What should we bring to an FLL competition?
8. Will a parent or coach be allowed to video tape the project presentation?
9. Do you have any hints about what the FLL competition is like?
10. Our robot is not ready to compete. Should we even bother attending the regional?
11. What regional awards allow a team to participate in the state championship?
12. Is flash photography allowed at the competitions?
13. Is there a parade of teams or do we need a banner?
14. Can I use the older RCX brick for FLL?
15. What are FLL Senior mentor calls?
16. What can I do if my NXT brick stops working?

Q: How can a I find a FLL or JrFLL team for my child to participate on?

A: FIRST Lego League does not work like recreation sports where the teams are formed from a pool of interested children and are matched to a list of coaches. The opposite is usually the case. Typically a teacher starts a team with students from a school club or a parent pulls in kids from their neighborhood. In both cases, the adult mentor knows the kids before the team is formed.

Considering this, the best alternatives for getting your child on a team are:

1. Start a team as the coach. A brief list of all the steps is available on the FLL Quick Start Page.
2. Check with your local middle and high schools to see if there a team already started there.
3. Post a message to the Washington FLL (WAFLL) team forum. You can join by visiting the WAFLL Group Site then clicking the "Join This Group!" button. Post a message to the group asking for an interested team near you.
4. Post a message on the International FIRST forum for people looking for others interested in FLL.

Usually Option 1 has a much greater likelihood of success.

Running an FLL team is a rich and rewarding experience for the students and the team coach. The FLL program is setup so the students do most of the work. FLL coaches need little in the way of technical expertise, relying more on a willingness to learn with the students and the desire to see the kids succeed. The coach organizes, directs, and motivates. The students work with the robot and create the project presentation.

The time commitment for an FLL coach is typically 4-6 hours a week for 6-8 weeks. FIRSTWA educates new coaches and mentors through workshops offered in the summer and through September. Check the Events Calendar in late May-early June for information.

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Q: How do I register a team for FLL or JrFLL?

A: For FLL, visit the official FIRST FLL Registration page after registration opens (usually in early May). For JrFLL, visit the official FIRST JrFLL Registration page after registration opens (usually in early August).

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Q: Where can I find information about using/programming the NXT brick?

A: There are many great sites to learn more about using and programming the NXT. A short list:

1. NXT Tutorial (http://webclass.superquest.net/sboost/tutorials/NXT_Tutorial/index.html)
2. Robolab Tutorial (http://webclass.superquest.net/sboost/tutorials/RobolabTutorial/index.html)
3. Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy (http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/content/lego/index.htm)
4. Tufts NXT Constructopedia (http://www.legoengineering.com/component/docman/doc_download/150-nxt-constructopedia-beta-21)
5. Working with Lego gears (http://webclass.superquest.net/sboost/movies/index.htm)
6. NXT video tour (http://webclass.superquest.net/sboost/movies/NXT.mov)
7. Example FLL Teams (http://webclass.superquest.net/sboost/programs/index.htm)
8. Example FLL Curricula (http://webclass.superquest.net/sboost/lessonscurriculum/index.htm)
9. The official FIRST Resources Page (http://www.usfirst.org/community/fll/content.aspx?id=786)
   

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Q: How do I raise money for my FLL team?

A: The most common sources for funds are usually some combination of:

1. Costs are split equally amoung team members.
2. A school, school district, PTA, or booster organization subsidizes the team.
3. Donations from parents or local businesses.

HighTechKids.org, the FLL powerhouse organization in Minnesota, provided us a copy of their coach fundraising guide, Fundraising 101. Read it for some great tips and insight.

If you need ideas for hosting your own fundraising event, visit Chief Delphi Fundraising Ideas where FIRST students from all over the world describe what has worked for them.

FIRSTWA hosted a webinar called Fundraising 101 to help teams find support for their teams. Files and resources from that discussion are available online.

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Q: What is the typical judging process at an FLL competition?

A: Each team is evaluated by two judging panels. One for Robot Design and the other for the Research Project. Each team has a 15 minute block at both judge sessions (30 total minutes of judging).  Judging usually happens in the morning while teams are testing their robots and prepaing for the competition in the afternoon. For robot design judging, students do NOT need to print out their program if they do not want to. Judging schedules are distributed the morning of the event. Important Note: These times are approximate. Schedules always float for many reasons. Please be flexible with the volunteers and event organizers as they do their best to keep the events running on time.

Each Robot Design session is broken down as follows:
1 min = Setup
9 min = Q&A
5 min = Private judge deliberations

Each Research Project session is broken down as follows:
1 min = Setup
5 min = Presentation
4 min = Q&A
5 min = Private judge deliberations

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Q: What is the typical robot competition process at an FLL competition?

A: Each team competes three total times on the offical tables, once during each of three rounds that include all teams. The highest of the three scores is used to determine the final ranking of the team in the competition when all matches are complete. Each team has a 5 minute block at the table. Robot compeition usually happens in the afternoon after judging is complete and opening ceremonies are finished. Competiton schedules are distributed the morning of the event. Important Note: These times are approximate. Schedules always float for many reasons. Please be flexible with the volunteers and event organizers as they do their best to keep the events running on time.

Each competition slot is 5 min:
1 min = Setup robot
2.5 min = Run the match
1.5 min = Score match and reset table

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Q: What should we bring to an FLL competition?

A: The list:

1. One signed Consent Form for each member, coach and mentor on the team. The form is available online in the FLL Downloads.
2. Two copies of the Team Profile sheet to give to the judges during your project and design judge interviews. The template is available online in the FLL Downloads.
3. We recommend teams bring a laptop computer and not a desktop for fine tuning robot programs. Power at your pit is not guaranteed so desktop PCs might not work. Make sure your laptop batteries are charged before you arrive.
4. Extra robot batteries and/or a battery charger.
5. Food and snacks. Availability of food varies by competition. Check the web site for your competition to determine if and what food to bring. Your team will spend most of the day at the event so bring snacks, drinks, and lunch if there are no facilities. The proceeds from food sales at these events support other FIRST activities and education so we encourage you to buy food onsite if available.
6. Bring one extension cord and a power strip. There is very limited electrical power available at some events and it is not uncommon for the power to get disconnected from the wall on occasion. We have to work together to share power sometimes so extra cords and sockets help and be ready to share a power strip outlet with a neighbor.
7. Field setup kits and mats as backup. It is likely they will stay in the car but we might need your help with extra kits so please bring them if you can.

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Q: Will a parent or coach be allowed to video tape the project presentation?

A: It is up to the regional organizer and we have all tentatively agreed that this is allowed. That said, any organizer may change this rule up to and during competition day. Further, we discourage more than one or two adults from entering the room. Children other than team members are not allowed. It is critical that any spectator is absolutely silent and does not interrupt the presentation in any way. Finally, no extra setup time for video equipment is allowed. You must be ready to start filming as soon as the students are ready to begin.

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Q: Do you have any hints about what the FLL competition is like?

A: General information:

1. You can find links to schedules and event information on the Washington FLL Competition web pages (only available between October and mid December).
2. At most events each team has table space in the "pits" to set your robot and computer on.
3. If your team is using technology for the Reaserch Project presentation, make sure it is self contained and portable. The regionals will not have AV equipment available unless you are otherwise notified. You have very little time to setup and anything over one minute it is subtracted from your five minutes of presentation time.
4. The official lunch break is usually only 30 minutes. You can eat anytime and it is recommended teams snack throughout the day and during breaks.
5. Judges are not confined to the judge interview rooms and will wander throughout the competition watching team behavior. They also ask teams and event volunteers for input. Remind the team to be on their best behavior even when they think no one is watching. 

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Q: Our robot is not ready to compete. Should we even bother attending the regional?

A: Every year a few weeks before the regional, emails and phone calls start appearing that teams are behind and probably won't make it to the competition. Please read the following important observations we have made over the years before deciding not to attend:

1) Your team is more than likely about at the same state as most of the other teams. A few teams (5%) are probably done with their robot by now, most teams (80%) have a pile of LEGO and a bunch of disorganized children who are not making decisions yet. Sound like you? Congrats, you are right on schedule!
 
2) The FLL contest is setup for students of all abilities. Never in the history of FLL was a team embarrassed by competing in our events. It just doesn't work that way. Your team will go out and do their best against the field. Remember, this is a game of golf, not football. You are playing the course, not the other teams. It may be the case that the score isn't the highest, and indeed someone will have the lowest score. However, completing the season is far more important than scoring well.
 
3) We, as the FLL program, really don't care that much about the robot. We do care about the process. We care that your students have had to come together as a team, work on a problem, and come up with a result. The process is a learning experience, especially for students who have not done this before. It is quite natural for the students to get behind schedule near the end. The deadline provides them an opportunity to learn that at some point they must make decisions, finalize plans, and act. It is a chance for them to realize that this is THEIR team, and THEY need to finish up in a timely way.
 
From our perspective, letting the students off the hook because they didn't manage their time effectively is the wrong approach and the wrong message. Part of the learning is finishing the project presentation, making last minute tradeoffs on the robot design, and coming together as a team to complete the task then compete.
 
If you need a suggestion on what to do next;  at your next meeting, point out the amount of time left, and work with your students to come up with a concrete plan on how to finish. You may (will!) need to simplify and prioritize. They CAN do this. They just need your guidance to get it done.
 
Please, for the sake of your students, do NOT let them off the hook on this!

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Q: What regional awards allow a team to participate in the state championship?

A: Regional awards are given to teams at each qualifier. Winners of the judged awards and robot performance usually advance to the championships although the number of invitations depend on capacity, which can change each year. Normally, teams that win the following awards at the regional level advance to the state championship:

• Regional Champions Award
• Regional Project Award
• Regional Robot Design Award
• Regional Teamwork Award
• Robot Performance First Place

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Q: Is flash photography allowed at the competitions?

A: Yes.

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Q: Is there a parade of teams or do we need a banner?

A: No. Some teams have banners or posters that they display on their pit tables. There is typically no place to hang a banner except from the edge of a table.

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Q: Can my team use the old RCX Lego robot controller instead of the newer NXT controller?

A: Yes. FLL allows using other lego pieces when making robots and this extends to the RCX. However, be aware that Lego is slowly phasing out support for the RCX as it is now an obsolete product. You can read the official statement online.

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Q: What are senior mentor calls? I heard that experienced FLL coaches from around the country are hosting informational phone conferences. How do I join them and where can I listen to past sessions?

A: The senior mentor calls are hosted by International FLL. Annoucements are sent by email to registered coaches and we usually forward these messages to the WAFLL email group. Email is the only way to get the number and access codes. They usually only have 150 lines available. With thousands of teams registered, they fill quickly. You can listen to past FLL Senior Mentor calls by visiting the archive website.

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Q: What can I do if my NXT brick stops working?

A: Visit the Lego customer service website for help. They have a knowledge base and a 1-800 number to call.

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