FIRST Robotics All Weekend at Javits, March 16-18

Starting today and running through Sunday, NYC schools will be participating in a variety of robotic competition events sponsored by FIRST.

UPDATED:
Some Food Factor Links

2011 Food Factor Challenge | FIRST LEGO League

firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2011foodfactor
The FLL Core Values are the fundamental elements that ... In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, over 200000 9-16* year olds from over 55 countries will explore ...
FLL 2011 "Food Factor" Robot Game EN - YouTube


► 8:21► 8:21
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvdTbTf4G0kSep 5, 2011 - 8 min - Uploaded by FLLHot
This film explains missions and points of FLL Robot-Game 2011 "Food Factor - Keeping Food Safe". Please ...
FLL 2011 Food Factor Missions - YouTube


► 8:21► 8:21
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf_bQbPYLT8Sep 3, 2011 - 8 min - Uploaded by bgcalbanyor
These are the missions for this year's Lego Robotics Tournament.
FLL Project DVD - Food Factor season - YouTube


► 20:44► 20:44
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFBBnyz8syMJun 27, 2011 - 21 min - Uploaded by FLLGlobal
The OFFICIAL FLL Project DVD for the 2011 Food Factor season. A rookie team's guide to the FLL Project ...
More videos for food factor fll »
FIRST Sites

https://gofll.usfirst.org/

Food Factor Challenge

This has been my 9th year of involvement with one particular aspect of the multiple events -- FIRST LEGO League, a tournament for kids aged 9-14 which covers elem, middle and even the 9th year of high school. More on that below.

And check out  my robotics blog for all updates: http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/

I urge anyone connected with education to come on down and check it out for a view of education the way it should be -- no test prep here.

All events are free and open to the public.

Also, if you are thinking of getting your school involved for next year this is a MUST ATTEND event. Contact me for more information: normsco@gmail.com.

The major events:

FIRST LEGO League (FLL): All day Sunday- I will be there all day

This is where I am involved. Contest is on an 8x4 table -- there are 12 of them.
Each year there is a theme. This year it is Food Factor. Robots made out of LEGO and programmed complete tasks in 2.5 minutes based on protecting the food supply. Each team gets 4 rounds.
Also -- a research and technical presentation takes place in front of judges.
This is a great program and we have 82 teams from all parts of the city -- public, private and charters. And home-based.
There were 5 borough tournaments in January with around 150 teams to get down to these 82. Check the norms robotics blog for the lists, layouts, etc.
If you come I will be spending most of the day at the entrance to the pits where the kids get to hang out in between competitions.
 

JFLL - Junior for 6-9 year old - Sunday 9-12
There will be an exhibition -- a good way to start kids out early.

FRC - FIRST Robotics (today-Sunday)- High School

These are the big guys -- 6 robots on the field at the same time -- 3 on each side. And the schools shift partnerships throughout the weekend. Semis and finals are Sunday afternoon. Schools can come from all over the nation and abroad.

FTC - Saturday all day -- middle and high school-- using metal kits.

Worth checking out if you want something more advanced than LEGO but not as complicated as FRC.