Jr.FLL® 2011 Snack Attack Season Important Registration Information Page

Important information to know before registering a Jr.FLL team:

Challenge Materials

• The Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) Challenge Materials will become available starting August 1^st, 2011 noon EDT.
• You will not receive anything in the mail! The Challenge Materials are available for electronic download once you have registered your team within the Jr.FLL TIMS system.
• Once a team is paid, the Challenge Materials can be accessed on the Team Summary page within the ‘Challenge Materials’ field, located at the bottom of the page. Click ‘View’ under ‘Action’ and you will find the necessary .pdf documents.
• Included with the Challenge Materials are: Jr.FLL Snack Attack Challenge document; Jr.FLL Snack Attack Coaches' Guide; Jr.FLL Snack Attack Coaches' Resources.
• Please DO NOT make copies of and/or distribute Challenge Materials—these are meant for paid teams only. Thank you for your cooperation!

Jr.FLL Optional LEGO Sets

• Jr.FLL is a very flexible program in that it requires teams to build unique models made of LEGO elements—any LEGO elements are acceptable. Many teams already have LEGO elements with which they can construct an appropriate model which has one motorized moving part and one simple machine
• There is not a specific set needed to participate in the program. However, if your team requires LEGO materials to get started, there are two different set options suggested for use with Jr.FLL teams. These sets are available to purchase through LEGO Education in the U.S., OR through Spectrum Education for Canadian teams.
• Once a team is paid, they are granted access to ordering materials via the Jr.FLL TIMS Registration System. On the Team Summary page, locate the ‘Order Materials’ field and click on ‘Order.’ You will then be taken to a private section of the LEGO Education website to order your kit(s); or Spectrum Education for Canadian teams.
• Each individual registered team may buy only one of each kit described below: (to learn more about the Jr.FLL Optional LEGO kits click here: http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/jfll/content.aspx?id=13192

o Jr. FLL Base Set: This base set is suggested for teams that are just getting started and do not have any LEGO® materials to use for building their model. With this configuration team members are provided an abundance of LEGO materials including cam wheels, axle extenders, crane hooks, wheels, rack and pinion gears, bricks, plates, and gear blocks. Using the motor and battery pack teams will not only be able to build, but also bring their model to life. Rounding out this year’s offering are the LEGO SERIOUS® Play™ mini-kits, Jr.FLL LSP activity cards and Jr.FLL LSP Coaches Guide. This new aspect of Jr.FLL includes a variety of simple building activities which encourage each team members to find their own voice while learning how to cope with team dynamics.

o Jr.FLL Plus Set: This set is perfect for returning teams who are eager to add robotics as a component to their Jr.FLL model. Team members will be able to build LEGO models featuring working motors and sensors; program their models; and explore a series of cross-curricular, theme-based activities while developing their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as language and literacy. The electronic activity pack, explores four different themes; allowing team members to become familiar with the product before constructing their Jr.FLL model.

Team Structure

• Children participating in Jr.FLL must be between the ages of 6 and 9 years old. At age 9, students have the option of participating in Jr.FLL or in the FIRST LEGO League (FLL; for students ages 9-14) program. We trust parents/mentors to assess each individual child’s comfort level when deciding which program is most appropriate.

• A Jr.FLL team may have as few as two (2), and no more than six (6) children
• It’s important to keep team size at six children or fewer in order to maintain that each student has adequate time contributing to the poster, and working with the model
• Most teams meet over a 6-8 week period, once or twice a week. However, as a coach you can structure team meetings (meeting times and overall program length) in a way that makes sense for your group and works within your schedule.
• If your team plans to attend a Jr.FLL Event, it is important to schedule enough time before the event takes place for your team to complete a model and their poster.
• FIRST does not match individual students to teams, nor does FIRST assist in the creation of new teams.
• The coach is a critical element of the team. As a coach, you are responsible for recruiting team members and organizing team meetings. The coach guides the team through the season, facilitating discussion, and problem solving along the way. The coach is the main point of contact and is responsible for disseminating all information to the team.

Events

• Teams are not required to participate in Jr.FLL Events.
• To attend a Jr.FLL event in your area, you may have to pay a separate fee aside from your initial $25 team registration fee.
• Jr.FLL Events are non-competitive; they are meant to be a celebration of each teams’ work.
• Depending on your geographical location, a Jr.FLL Event may not already be organized in your area. If there is no event organized, you may organize your own Jr.FLL event using the Event Guide which can be scaled up or down to meet your needs.
• Throughout the season, public events may be posted on our website. You can search for events near you here: http://usfirst.org/whatsgoingon.aspx
• If you are planning on hosting a local event, we encourage you to register your event in this system: https://my.usfirst.org/myevents/index.lasso

Payment

• The $25 Jr. FLL team registration fee is non-refundable.

• Your team registration fee of $25 must be paid with a credit card.
• If you are registering five (5) or more teams, you have the option to pay for all teams’ registration fees using one check made payable to FIRST. The check must be sent to:

FIRST Finance

200 Bedford Street

Manchester, NH 03101

*Please indicate your team numbers in the check memo line; in addition, please include a letter which states your contact information and what teams you are paying for.

• If you pay by check for five or more teams, you will NOT be able to order materials nor view Challenge Materials until your check has been received and cleared.
• If you are registering less than 5 teams, you must pay each team’s registration fee individually with a credit card.
• Your $25 registration fee does not include registration for any Jr. FLL Event(s).

· If your team chooses to purchase LEGO Kits for use throughout the season, you will purchase these kits directly from LEGO Education or from Spectrum Education (Canadian teams).