2018 Mineola Qualifiers - Coaches Notes

Hello FIRST LEGO League Coaches Attending Mineola Qualifiers -

The SBPLI Qualifiers are fast approaching!  There is a lot of information in this e-mail about the Tournaments. PLEASE READ IT COMPLETELY AND CAREFULLY !!!!

Remember that spectators are welcome and there is no admission charge.  We encourage you to share this communication with your team members' parents so they are informed.

 

Tournament Registration

Your team should have paid the $85 registration fee.  Remember that it is your responsibility to ensure payment is made before the event.

If, for some reason, your team will be unable to participate, please let us know by sending a reply e-mail as soon as possible.  We are finalizing the schedules and last minute cancellations can cause havoc.  

Any team that cancels at the last minute or does not show for the event will be responsible for the registration fee.

 

Dates

Saturday, February 3, 2018 Morning

Saturday, February 3, 2018 Afternoon

Sunday, February 4, 2018

*Coaches will be notified via e-mail by noon on Friday, February 2nd of any changes, if needed.

 

Location of Events

Mineola High School

10 Armstrong Road

Garden City Park, NY 11040

 

Parking

Parking can be a little challenging, so please allow ample time. There are various lots around the building. The event entrance will be in the front of the building.

 

Coaches' Meeting

One Coach from each team is expected to attend a mandatory Coaches' meeting. Make sure that another coach or mentor who has passed the YPP is assisting the team to set up their pit during this time.

 

Schedule for the Days

Saturday Morning, February 3, 2018

7:00 am                              Team Registration

7:30 am                              Coaches' Meeting

8:15 am                              Opening Ceremony

8:30 am approx                  Robot Performance Matches and Judging Sessions Begin
11:15 am approx.               Awards Ceremony

                                               

Saturday Afternoon, February 3, 2018

1:00 pm                              Team Registration

1:30 pm                              Coaches' Meeting

2:15 pm                              Opening Ceremony
2:30 pm approx.                 Robot Performance Matches and Judging Sessions Begin
5:15 pm approx.                 Awards Ceremony

 

Sunday, February 4, 2018

8:00 am                              Team Registration

8:30 am                              Coaches' Meeting

9:15 am                              Opening Ceremony
9:30 am approx.                 Robot Performance Matches and Judging Sessions Begin
12:15 pm approx.               Awards Ceremony

 

We expect to email your schedules showing times for robot matches, research, technical & teamwork judging just prior to your events, and they will be distributed at team check-in as well.

  

You Need to Bring

1. Team Roster and Consent forms – Coaches, Mentors and team members need to complete the Consent and Release form electronically. Download your team roster from the Team Registration System, print a copy, and bring it with you Team Check-In.

2. Team Introduction Form - Please complete the attached form and bring three copies of it with you.  The form is attached.

3. Three team photos with team members & coaches’ names written on the back. Staple each photo to a Team Intro form, please. Your team will deliver the Team Information Sheet to each of your judging teams when you attend your judging sessions.  

4. Any item needed for research presentations (AV equipment) or technical judging (programming documentation.) There is no Wi-Fi available in the judging rooms, so please do not plan on accessing the internet unless you are set up to do so yourself.

5. Your Gracious Professionalism - Remember that all team members, Coaches and Mentors are being judged throughout the day!

 

You’ll Probably Want to Bring

1. Laptop with charged battery. (Teams may be inspired to try new solutions or improve old ones.) Remember to back up your programs to more than one place.

2. Extra LEGO parts including batteries & chargers.

3. Money for food and raffles.

4.  A bin or large bags (like trash bags) to store personal belongings, like coats, under your table.

5.  LEGOS or DUPLOS to donate to LEGOs FOR FUN. This is the 14th year that we have supported the FIRST tradition of giving back to the community. Previously, we have donated new & used LEGOs to Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Long Island Adolescent and Family Services, the Ronald McDonald House and Toys for Hope.

 

You Will Find At the Competition

1. Food! Delicious & reasonably priced food will be sold all day. You can pre-order pizza and beverages for your team. Please see the attached order form and either email it as indicated or bring it with you to Team Check-In.  Your purchases will help defray the costs incurred by the Mineola School District.  We ask that you not bring in outside food and remember that  FOOD OR BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE GYM OR THE AUDITORIUM.

2. Raffles!  

3. Journal!  With all the details of the competition plus wishes from teams and parents for a great day! Please see the e-mail about journal ads and sponsorship opportunities and pass it on to the parents. We need your support!

4. Battery Charging Station - Space is limited so everyone’s cooperation is appreciated!

5. Pit Area - Each team will be assigned to one half of a cafeteria table.

6. Competition Area - Four double field setups will be there. Teams will be asked to queue up outside the competition area and then be admitted to their spot. There will not be a light setup above tables, we will be using the gym's lighting. Please note that the sunlight in the gym will move and change throughout the Tournament. You will have time to adjust your sensors when you arrive and before each match as part of your set-up time. No one will be allowed to hold up signs, posters or other objects to block the sun from the tables. We expect everyone's cooperation.

7. Robots will be inspected throughout the day.

8. Practice Tables - Remember to be Gracious Professionals when using the practice tables and follow the directions of the person in charge.

  • Be mindful of your time and other teams’ needs (In the event that another team has a crisis with their robot - robot repairs, loss of firmware, etc.- please be courteous and allow a team facing a crisis to use your practice time).
  • Reset the practice field for the next team
  • Make sure you check that you do not take a mission model from the practice field
  • Offer help to teams that may need it!
  • There is no need to bring your own Challenge Set  or mat. No one will be allowed to set it up in a any area of the tournament.

 

Mission Scoring with Referees

1. Team members will review and initial their score sheets with the Referees before they leave the game table. Team drivers need to know the mission rules and scoring. Encourage team members to speak up politely before leaving the table about any questions with the score. Any scoring issues will be resolved by the Head Referee, and his decisions are final. Video will not be used for review purposes.

2. Make sure your team has reviewed the technical updates on the FIRST LEGO League website.

 

We ask your assistance in meeting our expectation that the teams will be attentive and quiet during the Opening and Awards ceremonies.  Remember your gracious professionalism! 

 

Judging & Awards

Anticipated Awards:

Champion's Award

Robot Performance

ROBOT DESIGN

            Programming

            Mechanical Design

            Strategy & Innovation

PROJECT

            Innovative Solution

            Research

            Presentation

CORE VALUES

            Teamwork Award

            Inspiration

            Gracious Professionalism

Judges' Awards (optional)

 

In accordance with the FIRST Advancement Policy, we will announce the teams that will advance to the Championship in addition to distributing awards.  Remember that winning an award may not lead to advancement.

1. Remember that teams must participate in all three judging sessions for Project, Robot Design and Core Values, which will take place in classrooms. Teams will be judged throughout the day for the other awards, and Judges may observe teams in the pit and playing areas as well.

2. Robot Design Judging: Robot Design judging will be done with Challenge sets that are provided. Teams will explain their robot's design and demonstrate their programming solutions. We expect teams to bring their robot and attachments, as well as printouts of their programs to share with the judges.

3. Project: Teams are responsible for bringing any equipment needed for their project presentation.  Teams will have five minutes (including setup) for their presentation.  There will be 5 minutes for judges' Q&A session. Remember that Wi-Fi is not available in the judging rooms. We hope teams will display their research projects in the pit area so that everyone can see their work. The research presentation is the only judging session that parents and coaches will be admitted to see.

4. Core Values: The mandatory Core Values Poster and any other visual aids presented by teams are intended to serve as tools for the team to communicate information to judges. Some of the Core Values are more difficult to observe in Judging – the Poster is a chance for the team to think about those Core Values in advance and prepare to share that information with judges. Expect a teamwork challenge from the judges.

5. Awards will be presented during the Awards Ceremony.  Certificates for participating teams and winning teams will be sent electronically following the tournament.

 

Competition Rules

1. Each team may have up to 10 members. 9-14 years of age. Coaches will receive wristbands for registered team members which must be worn for judging & competition.

2. Each team must have one adult Coach accompany it at ALL TIMES.

3. Team number should be permanently displayed on FRONT of shirt and known by all members, and shirts should have one Team number only on the front.  Teams will be called to events by the team number.

4. The use of Bluetooth devices to download programs or control the robot is prohibited.  Any team found to be using Bluetooth will be DISQUALIFIED!

5. No carts allowed! All robot attachments must be brought to the competition area before the match and must be clearly visible to the referees and available for robot inspection. Small tables will be available this year for teams to utilize.

6. Only 2 team members are allowed at the competition table during a match. The remainder of the team will remain and watch in a designated area. Optional Tagging In: a team member may return to his team’s area to allow another member to step up to continue the competition. 

7. Coaches should NEVER work on the robot, the attachments or the robot programming.  In fact, Coaches must refrain from handling the robot, attachments or the computer. If your team encounters technical difficulty, and needs assistance, please let an official at the event know so that we can get you help.

8. We expect that any photos or video that you take will be of your team's robot, team members and their performance only.

 

Respect the site and our hosts, Mineola School District.

1. Wear sneakers.

2. No food or beverages in gym or auditorium.

3. No smoking or illegal substances on campus.

4. No running or profanity.

 

Please continue to look for final announcements up until Friday, February 2, 2018.  See you on February 3rd or 4th!

Good luck to all teams!