May 2010 - Posts

• Transporters Taiwan FLL Visit 2010

  The Transporters from Blakewater College in Blackburn recently attended the FLL Open International Championship in Taiwan.  Read all about their experience of the tournament and the trip in their guest blogs. Transporters Blog Day 1 Transporters Blog Day 2 Transporters Blog Day 3 Transporters Blog Day 4 Transporters Blog Day 5 Transporters Blog Day 6 Transporters Blog Day 7 Posted May 21 2010, 11:20 AM by Simon with no comments Filed under: Transporters

• TSM Roboteam at the World Festival

  In January, TSM Roboteam qualified for a place at the FLL World Festival by becoming National Champions at Loughborough University.  At the prestigious world event, the team competed with 83 teams from more than 30 countries. A major part of the challenge involves running their autonomous robot (pre programmed by themselves) through a series of complex tabletop missions. This takes place over three rounds. In two of these rounds, the team scored a perfect 400 points! Only three other teams gained full scores for all three rounds, so this is quite an achievement. The judges also felt that the research work that the team carried out was of great value towards improving road safety – based on the transport theme for this year’s contest.  As if this wasn’t enough, the team were very pleased to gain 2nd place Inspiration Award. “The team were highly regarded by all the judges and were brilliant ambassadors for the UK, they can be very proud of themselves”. Click Here to read their full report from their exciting trip! The trip back home was almost thwarted by the antics of a certain volcano. Some of the team returning via Amsterdam had to take a coach and ferry to get the rest of the way back to the UK. The remainder were lucky to get their scheduled flight home as Heathrow just opened again a few hours before the flight was due.  The team had an amazing time in Atlanta taking part in all the events and activities and meeting teams from many countries. TSM Roboteam would like to thank parents, friends and sponsors for all their help and support. You can watch the exciting two 400 point robot rounds by searching on YouTube for ‘TSM Roboteam’ or use this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tMXkmO7Xe4     Posted May 21 2010, 09:43 AM by Simon with no comments

• Thanks from FIRST

  To Our Respected FLL Coaches Around The World, The recent close of the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) World Festival officially ended another season. Because of you and your commitment, over 15,000 teams, 150,000 children from over 50 countries participated in 300+ qualifying events and almost 100 Championships around the world. And, let’s not forget the Open Championship events held in Istanbul, Turkey, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan as well as the hundreds of local events hosted by our amazing FLL teams. Talk about inspiring our future innovation leaders! You have to admit, the activity from this past season is pretty significant. Even more so given that it was all volunteer driven – by you. Talk about commitment! However you got involved with FLL, I believe it is fair to state that you had absolutely no idea what you were getting into. You veteran coaches know what I am referring to. For you rookie coaches, oh, you thought you knew what you were in for. But now that you have been through a season, I bet you would agree that you really had no idea! Thank you all, veteran and now former rookie coaches, for taking this journey with us and all the children around the world. We know FLL takes a lot of out you - personally, professionally and resource wise - many times dipping into your own pockets to make ends meet. With every journey, there are moments along the way when you need to stop, rest and refresh yourself. The FLL headquarters team and I hope you take the time to do so. The kids and FLL really need you. Hopefully one thing that keeps you going is the knowledge that you are – without question - making a difference. Without you, these children may never have had the experience to learn the power they hold through the world of science and technology to make a real difference in their lives and the world. You are remarkable in what you do. We learn from and appreciate you every day. Your energy and enthusiasm is what fuels us here at FLL headquarters. We see first hand the difference you are making through your selfless commitment. Because of you, there are children on teams whose lives have changed forever. These same children for the first time achieve goals they never imagined or thought possible. Because of you, these kids come to believe in their own power to change the world…and they do change it. It is not uncommon to hear about an FLL team filing for a patent for some great new innovation! Yes, we see countless examples of your work every day. On behalf of all of us at the FLL headquarters, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do. After a remarkably successful decade with many veteran coaches and team members staying with the FLL program, there is a lot of great wisdom that deserves to be shared. We are making a concerted effort this year to capture all of the great experiences and lessons you and your fellow coaches have learned and are willing to share. Please check out www.usfirst.org/fll for some exciting new rookie team resources, specifically for teams by teams. You should also check out the results of the formal survey about FLL conducted by Brandeis University at www.usfirst.org/aboutus/content.aspx?id=46 -- it will make you even more proud of what you have accomplished. With Great Respect, Anna Maenhout Director, FIRST LEGO League & Jr. FIRST LEGO League Posted May 10 2010, 02:20 PM by Simon with no comments