NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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FIRST LEGO League RoboticsEngineering our Future

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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2007-2008 FLL Outreach Goals

• History: From 2001-2003 a local non-profit organization held a FLL regional tournament in Chicago in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. When funding and support for this regional ended, most Chicago Public elementary schools stopped participating in FLL competitions.

• Our Goal: To revive the level of interest and participation in FLL within Chicago Public Schools.

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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2007-2008 FLLOutreach Strategies

Phase I - Our 2007-2008 FLL school based recruitment drive started at the top:

• Market FLL to administrators (principals, district administrators)• Get their commitment• Allow them to identify coaches/volunteers• Have them select or identify students for the team

Phase II -Once coach(es) identified by administrators we began:

• Training on the fundamentals and core values of FLL• Explaining the role and responsibilities of a coach • Covering rules of the Challenge • Training on constructing robots and using Mindstorms software

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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2007-2008 FLLSchool, Parent, Community Involvement

Phase III – Create by-in with FIRST LEGO League Kick-off’s

• Asked each school to hold a kick-off event for their FLL program by inviting parents, local community members, potential business sponsors, and the media.

• Explained FLL and the importance of parental involvement. Assigned interested adults to various roles to support the team.

• Sourced parents, community members, and businesses for technical volunteers (engineers, programmers, and others) who could assist with designing and programming the robots.

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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2007-2008 FLLMentoring

Phase IV – Weekly mentoring support

• Scheduled weekly mentoring visits at each school to assist teams in all phases of the Challenge

• Provided support to coaches in assisting students to problem solve and find solutions to programming challenges, robot design and functionality, and basic research skills.

Phase V – Volunteers and other mentors

• Created the High School Robotics Mentoring Program

• Pooled resources from our university partnerships to recruit faculty and student volunteers from engineering, science, math and pre-service teacher programs.

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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North ChicagoSchoolDistrict

Archdiocese of

Chicago

ChicagoPublic Schools

NASA SEMAAChicago

2007- 2008 Regional Expansion/ Growth

• Chicago Public Schools (4)• Chicago Archdiocese (1)• North Chicago School District (1)

Current Teams

New Teams 2008-2009

• Chicago Public Schools (10)• Museum of Science & Industry (2)• NASA SEMAA Chicago (1)• North Chicago School District (2)• Homewood/Flossmoor School District (1)• Community Organizations (3)

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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2007-2008 FLL Accomplishments

• Secured one national (FIRST) and three local (Motorola) scholarships to assist teams with purchase of LEGO Mindstorms kits and registration

• Surpassed original goal of two teams by adding three additional teams resulting in five rookie team registrations

• Secured $10,000 program donation from Discover Financial Services to support FLL and related activities • Integrated NASA educational content in robotics utilizing the AEL and during team practice sessions to support all phases of the FLL Challenge

Turbo Robo a unique team building workshop that:

• Increased teams technical knowledge and skills• Provided training for coaches and parents• Demonstrated the importance of teamwork• Supported peer-to-peer learning

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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2007-2008 FLL Highlights

Team 6406 the St. Ethelreda Eagle Explosionqualifed to compete in the Illinois StateTournament.

The entire Blue Eagle Science club and parentscame out on a zero degree day to cheer onthe team and support their children.

Setting goals and working on a timelinehelped this team successfully extend theirseason and participate with 63 of the bestFLL teams in the state.

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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Plan FLL Kick-Off Events

Eagle Explosion, Team 6406 from St. Ethelreda School kicked off their rookie season by having a whole school FIRST LEGO League assembly followed by an outdoor balloon launch.

Parents, community members, local politicalofficials, and the media were invited to share in the excitement.

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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A partnership established between NASA SEMAA Chicago and Discover Financial Services benefits our FIRST LEGO League efforts in North Chicago, Illinois at Neal Elementary School, sponsorship of our annual teambuilding event, Turbo Robo and hosting rookie resource and help sessions from other FLL teams in the region.

SWAT team members give Pershing West Puma’s a short course in LEGO Mindstorms programming.

The entire SWATTeam from ArlingtonHeights, IL made a special visit to Pershing West to provide an afternoonof technical assistance, researchpresenation advice,and general tips with two of our FLL teams.

Develop Sponsorships & Corporate Support

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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Understanding the importance of building STEMSkills in young adults as well as providing anopportunity to give back, our NASA programcreated a unique opportunity for high school students to become involved in FIRST roboticsby mentoring FIRST LEGO League teams. High school students were recruited from ourhome base school, Marine Military Academy and other Chicago Public high schools, Bronzeville Military Academy, and King College Prep, to mentor and provide tutoring in math to our five FLL teams.

High School students receive service learning hours for their participation in the program and travel to local and national FIRST Robotics events.

Marine Military Academy HS Robotics MentorsWork with students from Kellman and Pershing West schools

See The Future….Then Choose a Way to Shape It

High School Robotics Mentoring Initiative

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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Leverage existing partnerships

The Museum of Science and Industry is one of our partner institutions. In October, our program participated in their annual Fall Fling and displayed and discussed FIRST LEGO League Robotics as part of our NASA program.

We approached the programming staff in November with the idea of establishing a FLL team at the museum and providing demonstrations of the FLL challenge for museum visitors.

Our proposal was accepted and we provide ongoing LEGO Mindstorms training on Saturdays for the Science Minors, a trained cadre of high school students that conduct experiments and demonstrations throughout the museum, to run missions and market FLL. In spring 2008 we will have open LEGO Mindstorms workshops on Saturdays for the public that will also include information on FIRST LEGO League.

FIRST LEGO League teams will work and assist students in the Mars Robotics Rover workshop as part of NASA SEMAA’s Astro Jam event to be held at the museum in April.

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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Create Cool Events

2007 Turbo Robo3,2,1….LEGO!

Imagine…..8 FLL teams + 4 hours non-stop, inter-team LEGO Mindstorms building, programming, and table runs =gracious professionalism at its best!

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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FLL teams have access to the NASA Aerospace Education Laboratory (AEL) a state-of-the-art, electronically enhanced, computerized classroom that puts cutting-edge technology at the fingertips of middle and high school aged students.

Students work in the AEL to design, build and program LEGO Mindstorm robots for FLL competitions and simulated NASA missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Incorporate Technology: The NASA AEL

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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Create New Opportunities

NASA SEMAA Chicago has provided science programming in the Chicago Park District’s summer day camp program since 2005. In the summer of 2008, our STEM in the Parks Program will expand to five parks directly impacting 150 4th -8th graders and exposing over 3,000 youngsters to FIRST LEGO League robotics over a three week period.

Campers will build and program LEGO Mindstorms NXT robots to accomplish missions from the 2007-2008 Power Puzzle Challenge. We will end our camp with an inter-park non-qualifying event to be held at the end of July.

The STEM in the Parks program will also be implemented in the North Chicago Park District in the summer of 2008.

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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Involve Families: The Family Café

"We believe that children, parents/families, and teachers are partners in the educational process, and must be respected and appreciated for their individual needs and roles.”

Parents, family members and community stakeholders are encouraged to volunteer during FLL team practices and support sessions by providing expertise, tutoring and other STEM and literacy support skills.

They are also encouraged to volunteer at regional events as needed and assist teams with fundraising efforts.

Parents of FLL team members assist with programming during a FLL Family Café Session

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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FLL Expansion: Tips for Outreach Success

Eliminate the Fear Factor

Become a resource

Clarify your level of participation/support

Keep expectations on both sides within reasonable limits

Work smarter not harder

Be able to assess/identify challenges that exist or may arise with potential teams

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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NASA AEL Mentored FLL Teams

Benefits

Robotics curriculum designed to meet skill levels and unique needs of students to ensure success

Participate in FIRST LEGO League workshops, summer camps, and non- qualifying events with our veteran FLL teams

Project based learning aligned with National and Illinois State science, mathematics Learning Standards

Connect with NASA Robotics Alliance Web resources

Incorporate NASA educational content and robotics missions

Link teams to FLL Website and encourage participation in forum discussions

Tailor Benefits you can offer to New Teams

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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Use FLL to Increase Science Literacy and Add Value to Your Community

FLL team members learn science by doing

Partner with institutions of higher education, science centers, and museums to extend value of FLL

Bridge the participation gap for historically underserved and underrepresented K-12 youth in FIRST LEGO League

Include community stakeholders

Establish ownership of team and instill FLL core values with students and families

Increase STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) literacy in K-12 students. Studies show students who participate in programs such as FLL score higher on standardized tests.

NASA Aeronautics Education Laboratory

“Inspiring the next generation of explorers as only NASA can.”S

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FIRST LEGO League “Let your dreams take flight!