Ray Robotics Team Application 2015-16

APPLICATION PROCESS:

1. Must return application on time to the OFFICE on or before Friday, May 29th to the office.

Late Applications will not be accepted.

2. Complete all necessary forms and return application in correct order.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST:

Please submit your student council application in this order:

  1. ______Signed student agreement form
  2. ______Parent Signed attendance policy
  3. ______All questions answered.
  4. ______Teacher evaluation forms

What is First Lego League?

FIRST LEGO League is a robotics program for 9 to 14 year olds, which is designed to get children excited about science and technology – and teach them valuable employment and life skills. In FLL, teams learn both through what we do (the Robot Game and the Project) and how we do it (the FLL Core Values). Through the Robot Game teams build and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology to score points in matches on a themed playing field. Through the Project, teams explore an actual problem that today’s scientists and engineers are trying to solve, develop an innovative solution to that problem (either by creating something that doesn’t exist or building upon something that does), and share their findings with others. Throughout their work on the Robot Game and the Project, teams are guided by the FLL Core Values to build teamwork skills and make this a great experience for everyone involved.

The FLL Core Values are the cornerstones of the FLL Program. They are among the fundamental elements that distinguish FLL from other programs of it kinds. By embracing the Core Values, participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals, and that helping one another is the foundation of teamwork.

v  We are a team.

v  We do the work to find solutions with guidance from our coaches and mentors.

v  We know our coaches and mentors don’t have all the answers; we learn together.

v  We honor the spirit of friendly competition.

v  What we discover is more important than what we win.

v  We share our experiences with others.

v  We display Gracious Professionalism and Cooperation in everything we do.

v  We have FUN!

The ECMS FIRST Lego (Robotics) League Team is now forming. This application will be part of the selection process. Our team will meet twice per week during the peak competition season – September through January. Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed near competition time- attendance at these meetings will be expected. Team members will have the ability to choose two days (Monday through Thursday) as long as they are able to meet with team members needed to perform their assigned task with the exception of informational meetings requiring the attendance of all team members.

NO SKILLS REQUIRED

Students do NOT need to be familiar with the Lego Mindstorms kit. We will provide training. We need builders, programmers, and researchers, lots of spirit and creative cooperative minds that can WORK AS A TEAM!!!! Students will share the responsibility of designing and programming a robot to handle many different missions in 2 ½ minutes. The team will also document everything and research the topic of THIS YEARS CHALLENGE for presentation. Because of the limited time we have to prepare, it is extremely important that all team members be present at meetings and participates in a successful robot and research project.

To help us make our decision regarding student selections for our team, please complete the following questions and comments with a short answer for each response. Answer on a separate sheet of paper (There are 4 questions).

1.  What does teamwork mean to you?

2.  Give an example of a time in your life where you have used the skill of problem solving to overcome challenges or to accomplish a goal.

3.  Give an example of a project you have completed individually or with a team.

4.  There are many roles and responsibilities that need to be filled by the members of the team in order to have a successful season. Read through the list of possible team roles and responsibilities listed below and then write a paragraph summarizing how you think you would be able to excel in one or two of these roles.

Team Roles and Responsibilities:

Researching – Gather information about the Challenge theme, related real-world problems and existing solutions. Invite professionals to share their knowledge with the team.

Presenting – Design a creative presentation to show the judges your team’s work on the Project.

Strategy Analyze – Analyze the robot playing field and formulate various methods for accomplishing the missions. Lead the effort to establish a consensus on the final strategic plan and think about risks and rewards of different strategies.

Building – Make decisions about building and work to form consensus on programming for the robot.

Programming – Make decisions about programming and form consensus on programming for the robot.

Project Management – Get everyone focused, make sure everyone’s ideas are heard, find compromises, and keep everyone on schedule with a timeline.

Marketing – Design and create the team logo, T-shirt, or banner, Write a press release and contact the local media to increase public awareness of the team and how the team benefits from the FLL experience.

Documentation – Record and document the entire team’s thoughts, actions, failures, and successes throughout the FLL season in a journal, scrapbook, storyboard, video, or other form you can display at events. During the season, these records help the team organize information for decision making. At events and tournaments, these are an excellent way to showcase the team’s activities, teamwork, and spirit for judges and event attendees.

STUDENT NAME ______GRADE ______

ADDRESS ______HOMEROOM ______

PHONE ______BIRTHDAY ______CURRRENT AGE ______

E-MAIL ______

PARENT’S E-MAIL (to receive info directly) ______

Science Teacher: ______

Additional Information (ex. Allergies/medical?) ______

Have you ever been on a Lego robotics team? ______Where? ______

Have you ever attended summer Lego robotics camp? ______Where? ______

Do you intend to attend a summer Lego robotics camp this year? ______Where? ______

Have any family member ever been on a Lego robotics team? ______

What other afterschool activities do you do? ______

Circle One:

Do you like to play with Legos? Yes/ No

Do you know what FIRST Lego League is? Yes / No If so, what? ______

Have you ever built a Lego robot? Yes / No

Have you ever been told you spend too much time playing with Legos? Yes / No

Do you play video games? Yes/ no If yes, how many hours per week?

Do you have a computer at home? Yes/ No

Do you play games online? Yes / No

How do you like to work on projects? Alone / with a group/ either way if fine

When I get a good idea, I like to: let everyone know / work on it by myself / get some help to work on it

How many Lego do you have at home? ______

Circle any activities you like to play: basketball/ skateboarding / soccer/ hockey / rollerblading/ bowling/ football / skiing / snowboarding / bike riding / softball / fencing / horseback riding / music / dancing / List any other activities you like to do ______

Circle 3 things you would most like to do on the Robotics Team:

Team captain / group leader / robot designer / researcher / robot builder / research project leader / cheer leader / robot mission leader / robot problem solver / documenter

List any inventions you have designed. ______

Shirt size (circle one): Adult XS, S, M, L, XL Youth XS, S, M, L, XL

Parent Agreement Form:

I understand that my child ______is trying out for the ECMS FIRST Lego League Robotics team but must return this application with all pages completed May 29th to the office.

PRACTICE TIMES- 3:30 – 5:00

MANDATORY MEETING *** ALL TEAM MEMBERS Oct 12th

Oct 12th – Jan 16th Monday – Thursday ***EACH TEAM MEMBER MUST ATTEND AT LEAST THREE DAYS per week

(Season may last longer depending on tournament ranks) in Ms. Glenn’s room. Parents will pick up promptly at 5:00 pm in front of school.

***Please list any conflicts you think you might have that will prevent you from attending the meetings or competitions.

Parent Signature ______

Any questions please email Leigh Glenn: .

Student Agreement Form:

I understand that I am expected to conduct myself at all times according FFL Core Values. I further understand that I will meet the attendance requirement for Ray Robotics Team Members and will strive to make myself a value member of the team.

Student Signature______

Teacher Recommendation Form:

Ray Robotics Team

Please give this form to 3 teachers that you have or had during the 2014-15 school year. Please provide them with an envelope and form to complete AND RETURN TO THE OFFICE BY TEACHER.

Please rate the student 1 to 5 – 5 being the best.

Student Name ______

Teacher ______

Class Taught ______

Attendance: ______

Ability to work with others______

Respectful of others person or property: ______

Work ethics: ______

Please add any other information that would be useful in consideration for the Robotics Team:

Teacher Signature______

Thank you.