This article provides one coach’s view of what a team needs to accomplish in one season of FIRST LEGO League. It is intended to provide a new coach a high-level view of what their team needs to work on during the season. Check with your tournament director for any region-specific requirements. Some regions give more or less time for presentations. Others do not require or have presentations at all. The most important deliverable for any team is to HAVE FUN!

This list started with my packing list for a tournament. I then expanded it to include the things we do throughout the season. The kids will do the work, but the coaches (that’s you!) will do the organization, scheduling, facilitation, and teaching of specific needed skills. The skills include mechanical design and programming of robots of course, but also writing a coherent presentation, talking to experts, sharing information with judges and other interested parties, teamwork, effective negotiation and communication within the team, strategy, time management, and how to have fun while doing all of that. Some things on a single line will take up enormous amounts of time, like the robot game, and the research project.

Core Values:

During the season:
1) Come up with a team cheer / chant (Team cheers are not required, but can be a great way to show spirit)
2) Learn the Core Values
3) Practice Core Values while executing the Innovation Project and Robot game
4) Do specific Core Values activities and improve communication
5) If possible, meet with / help / collaborate with another team or an FLL Explore team
6) Be prepared to provide examples of how you applied the Core Values during judging.

Take to event:
1) Core Values poster (not required)
2) Team core values summary to leave with judges (if permitted)
3) Props / scripts / presentation materials
4) Giveaways to share with other teams (if permitted)
5) Team spirit / cheering items (flags, pennants, whatever)
6) Pit decorations
7) Banner / flag for the parade (Some regions have team parades)

Project:

During the season:
1) Learn about theme
2) Meet with experts
3) Choose a problem
4) Develop an innovative solution
5) Meet with experts for feedback and sharing
6) Develop a 5 min presentation for judges

Take to event:
1) Project poster board (not required)
2) Team project summary to leave with the judges (if permitted)
3) Props / scripts / presentation
4) Solution prototype/diagram

Robot Game

During the season:
1) Maintain an engineering notebook – the story of our robot (This is not required and does not have to be as detailed as those created in FTC or FRC, but documenting your design is helpful)
2) Think about strategy – how does the game board shape our solutions?
3) Solve robot game missions
4) Develop a 5 minute presentation for judges to explain your process

Take to event:
1) Summary document to leave with judges (if permitted)
2) Code to share (printed or on computer)
3) Robot / attachments / charger / download cable
4) Computer / power supply (have mission model build instructions on computer)
5) Extra LEGO elements
6) Backup of programs
7) Power strip / extension cord
8) Printed Robot Game Rulebook
9) Have photographs of robot and attachments in case of damage along the way

Other

Take to event:
1) Snacks for the team
2) Pens / paper / tape / scissors / clipboard
3) Consider food – is it available at tournament? Bag lunch? Go get pizza?
4) Presentation skills!
5) Card games or small activities to pass the time
6) Bring your social skills - go talk to other teams and make new friends

Year-end party
1) Trophies or other items for each team member (choose, design, purchase, build)