FIRST and many other organizations, including other teams, provide a variety of resources and training for both veteran and rookie FIRST teams. This page contains links to manuals, documents and other resources that will increase your knowledge of FIRST and its various components.
Newsletters
Completing Consent Forms
Consent forms are required by all participants in FIRST INSPIRES programs. Please see the steps below to complete this process.
Parent Instructions:
- Create a Parent/Guardian Account at www.firstinspires.org
- Make sure they put their name and email, not their child’s. This is a parent account, not their child’s account.
- Once they are signed in, then they need to add their child
- Click on Parent/Guardian – Youth tab
- Click on Add a Youth
- Fill out details on page
- Email is not required for youth. Do not put the parent’s email here. If child does not have their own, leave it blank.
- Note – If they are over 13, then I believe email is required. So for FTC and FRC, these instructions are going to be a little different.
- Consent form – make sure they complete this one!
- Then Apply for team
- Select FLL
- Enter the team #
- That’s all parents need to do
The coach/team administrator then will need to go into FIRST and accept the request to be on the team.
2018-19 Into Orbit Files
Rubrics for Maryland for 2018-19 (may differ from nationally release rubrics because Maryland is piloting new rubrics)
- Robot-Design-Rubric-2018-REFORMAT-PILOT
- Core-Values-Rubric-2018-REFORMAT-AND-UPDATED-WORDING-PILOT
- Project-Rubric-2018-REFORMAT-PILOT
2017 – 2018 Files for Qualifiers
Available on Schoology (code: DZC7W-33WVV)
2017-2018 Hydro Dynamics Kickoff Presentations
- New Coaches Orientation
- FLL Kickoff
- Project Best Practices
- Running a new team
- EV3 Training by Wizards.exe
Kickoff 2016-17 “Animal Allies” Workshops
- FLL Intro Presentation – TechBrick
- FLL Project Presentation
- FLL Team Branding
- EV3 Programming Intro
- What to Expect in Judging
Kickoff 2014-15 “World Class” Workshops
- All Coaches Meeting Agenda
- “World Class” Robot Game Overview
- The FLL Project — What, How and Why?
- Fundraising & Sustaining FLL Teams
- Running a New FLL Team
Kickoff 2013-14 “Nature’s Fury” Workshops
- All Coaches Meeting Agenda
- “Nature’s Fury” Robot Game Overview (pptx) (includes animation of board)
- “Nature’s Fury” Robot Game Overview (pdf)
- The FLL Project – Nature’s Fury
- FLL Team Tips
- FLL Fundraising and Resources
- Advanced Programming and Best Practices
FLL Team Resources
- Team Resources at FIRST INSPIRES – A collection of FIRST’s tips and information on preparing, programming, building, and participation in FLL
- Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy – LEGO Robots & Resources
- The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build – The team behind The NXT STEP blog has packaged some of their considerable skills and experience in this book, and even included instructions for eight robots you can build yourself
- High Tech Kids – Minnesota’s FLL partner website
- NorCal FLL – Northern California’s FLL partner website
- LEGO Digital Designer
- TechBrick Robotics: Worksheets, scoring, sheets, and tons of tips and advice
- The NXT STEP LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Blog: The busiest NXT Blog in the world with a huge amount of great info
- NASA FIRST LEGO League Resources: 2018 Challenge Space Resources
Tutorials and Guides
- Mindstorms Official How to Program Page
https://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/learn-to-program - EV3 tutorials: By students, for students
http://www.legoengineering.com/ev3-tutorials-by-students-for-students - EV3 Lessons from the Seshan Brothers
http://ev3lessons.com - NXT Programming Guide – A book that will teach teams to easily program a robot with the NXT-G visual programming language, as well as learn to implement basic, intermediate, and advanced programs.
Suppliers and Manufacturers
- Badge-A-Minit – Retailer for button equipment and supplies
- Don’s Buttons: Dr. Don’s Buttons is your online source for custom buttons, campaign items, lapel stickers, bumper stickers, button machines, button-making supplies… and MORE!!
- LEGO Education – The FLL program utilizes products from LEGO Education, Each year, FLL teams purchase their Challenge Sets from LEGO Education. Teams must start by registering at FIRST INSPIRES.
- Robot Mats: A collection of training mats for use all year to hone your team’s skills.
Fundraising
- Fundraising Ideas & Product Center – A collection of fundraising resources for non-profit organizations
- Fundraiser Help – A database of tips, tutorials, and ideas for school and non-profit fundraising
- Step By Step Fundraising – A cohesive listing of fundraising strategies, including a free monthly newsletter and e-book
- LEGO Education Grants and Funding – Helpful information about writing grants and links to grant providers
Other Resources
- ASEE – The official website for the American Society of Engineering Education
- ASME – The official website for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- IEEE – The official website for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
- NASA Robotics Alliance – An educational program designed to increase robotics expertise in the U.S.
- NEMO – The official website for the FIRST Robotics Non-Engineering Mentor Organization, the support group and information exchange for adult mentors
- Science Resources – A non-profit organization that promotes quality science and engineering education
- SME – The official website for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- SWE – The official website for the Society of Women Engineers, advocates for women achieving their full potential in engineering careers