LEGO ROBOTICS CREW

Congratulations To Wayne!

Please join the LEGO Robotics Crew in congratulating their new Captain. Wayne was selected by a majority vote and will be working with Jerell our Co-Captian to organize the activities of this crew in designing two Green City LEGO Villages, as well as reassembling three EV3 robots. All members in our crew will learn how to program these wonderful robots.

Presently the team is organizing over 1000 pieces of legos by color, before starting the construction of their villages. On the agenda this year is also the design of new robots besides the EV3’s as well as completing an EverFi coding course.

We are also waiting the delivery of our classroom computer so that students can begin to use the EV3 program to code their robots.

Voting for Lego Captains & Co-Captains:

This Friday the LEGO Robotics Team nominated and voted for their Captain & Co-Captain. Please join us in congratulating Jerell. S as Co-Captain!

The vote for Captain resulted in a tie vote between Brandon P. & Jataj. J. This Friday September 25, 2015 the team will vote again in an attempt to select a Captain for Team 16423.

The First Lego League with begin its kick off event on Saturday October 3rd from 10 a.m.-3:00 p.m at NYU-Polytechnic School of Engineering located at 5 MetroTech Plaza, the event will end in 6 Metrotech Center, in Brooklyn, NY 11201. Team members and their parents along with team coaches Mrs. Jennings & Mr. Novins, as well as Principal Defillipus will also be present.

The team will have the opportunity to attend several other events on the following dates:

  • Sunday November 15th
  • Saturday December 12th
  • Time for all clinics: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Location for all clinics: NYU-Polytechnic School of Engineering, RH-116 – 1st Floor, 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201

2015 TRASH TREK Challenge

We’re not talking trash – we’re cleaning it up! In the 2015 FIRST® LEGO League TRASH TREK SM Challenge, more than 233,000 children ages 9 to 16* from over 80 countries will explore the fascinating world of trash. From collection, to sorting, to smart production and reuse, there is more to your trash than meets the eye. Join FIRST LEGO League teams on a Trash Trek to discover the hidden (or not so hidden) world of trash!

Print

http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2015trashtrek#sthash.6YVJiTbu.dpuf

CHALLENGE: 

FLL® TRASH TREKSM Project In the TRASH TREKSM Project, your team will:

●  Identify a problem with the way we make or handle trash

●  Design an innovative solution to the problem you select

●  Share your problem and solution with others

Review the challenge rules: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/Challenge/TRASH-TREK/TRASH-TREK-Challenge.pdf

IDENTIFY A PROBLEM:

To begin your TRASH TREK project, choose a piece of trash and identify a problem with the way it is currently handled. Look for problems with the way we make, transport, store, or turn trash into something new. Then find out what is being done to solve the problem.

Not sure where to start? Try this process to choose and explore your trash problem:

As a Team – Choose a piece of trash. It might be something gross and stinky, something old and worn out, or something left over after you finish a project. It could be an item that is used in manufacturing, building, or some other business. It could be any item that is considered “trash” by the owner. (See box at right for exceptions.)

As a Team – Find out where your piece of trash goes after it leaves the owner. Think about questions like:

●  Does someone collect this item from you, or do you need to take it somewhere?

●  Could you follow the path your trash takes (either in person or through websites, books, and magazines)?

●  What happens to the trash in the end?

 

EXCEPTIONS:

For the TRASH TREKSM Project, trash does NOT include:

• Sewage
(Ex: waste water, human or animal excrement)

• Gasses
(Ex: car exhaust)

● Do you notice any parts of the process that could be better – more efficient, cleaner, or better in some other way? Look for these problems as you research.

This might be a great time to interview a professional. The professional could be someone who works in the waste management industry or researches trash problems for their job. Can a professional help you learn about trash collection, recycling, composting, reusing, or processing your trash in some other way?

As a Team – Identify a problem with the way trash is handled and learn about it. You might select a problem in one of these areas (or add your own):

●  Collecting trash

●  Finding new uses for old items (repurposing)

●  Food waste

●  Electronics waste (phones, computers, etc.)

●  Hazardous waste (medical, chemical, etc.)

●  How trash impacts your community

●  Landfills

●  Making zero-waste products

●  Recycling process

●  Sorting

As a Team – After you select a problem, find out about the current solutions. Why aren’t the current solutions working? Why does this problem still exist?

Design an Innovative Solution

Next, design an innovative solution to your problem – a solution that adds value to society by improving something that already exists, using something that exists in a new way, or inventing something totally new.

As a Team – Think about:

  • ●  What could be done better? What could be done in a new way?
  • ●  Could your solution make it more cool, fun, or easy to be responsible about trash?
  • ●  How can you reimagine disposing of trash to make it more efficient or safe?
  • ●  Could your solution prevent an item from becoming trash in the first place?Think of your problem like a puzzle. Brainstorm! Try one idea (or more), but be prepared that your first idea may not work as you expect. Then turn the problem upside down and think about it in a completely different way. Imagine! Get silly! Even a “silly idea” might inspire the perfect solution.Have you thought about how someone could make your solution a reality? The research you have done will help you answer questions like:
  • ●  Why would your solution succeed when others have failed?
  • ●  What would it cost?
  • ●  Do you need any special technology to make your solution?
  • ●  Can anyone use your solution, or only some people?

Remember, your idea does not need to be completely new. Inventors often improve an idea that already exists or use something that exists in a new way.

Share with Others

Once you design your solution, share it!

As a Team – Think about who your solution might help. How can you let them know? Can you present your research and solution to people who recycle, transport, store, reuse, or create trash? Can you share with a professional or someone who helped you learn about your problem? Can you think of any other groups of people who might be interested in your idea?

Consider including someone who could provide feedback about your solution. Getting input and improving are part of the design process for any engineer. Don’t be afraid to revise your idea if you receive some helpful feedback.

When you present, use the talents of your team members. Find a creative way to explain your problem and solution. Your sharing can be simple or elaborate, serious or designed to make people laugh while they learn.

No matter what presentation style you choose, remember to have fun!

Present Your Solution at a Tournament

Finally, prepare a presentation to share your work with the judges at a tournament. Your presentation can include posters, slideshows, models, multimedia clips, props, costumes, and more. Be creative, but also make sure you cover all the essential information.

To be eligible for Project Awards and advancement your team must:

  • ●  Identify your problem.
  • ●  Explain your team’s innovative solution.
  • ●  Describe how you shared your team’s findings with others.
  • ●  Meet the presentation requirements:• Give your presentation live; you may use media equipment (if available) only to enhance the live presentation. • Include all team members; each team member must participate in the Project judging session.
    • Set up and complete your presentation in 5 minutes or less with no adult help.You can learn more about how your team’s presentation will be judged by reviewing the Rubrics located at http://www.firstlegoleague.org/event/judging.Project Resources
  • ●  Check the Project Updates often: www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2015trashtrek.
    Here FLL staff will clarify common Project questions. Updates supersede anything in the Challenge document and will be in effect at tournaments.
  • ●  Download additional resources from the TRASH TREK Challenge page: www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2015trashtrek. The Topic Guide contains a glossary of trash industry words, a list of websites and books to start your research, and tips on how to approach professionals.
  • ●  Read the FIRST® LEGO® League Coaches’ Handbook for more information about the Challenge, tournaments, and judging: www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresources.
  • ●  Download the FIRST app on your mobile device to access all the resources listed above in one place: www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresources.