New Robotics Merit Badge and Contest!

For Recognition and Inspiration of Science and Technology, last week the Boy Scouts of America and LEGO Education US annouced a cooperative competition (co-opertition) for the new Robotics Merit Badge and and LEGO Mindstorms Education Base set!

Check it out here! But hurry, the contest ends April 28th! http://www.legoeducation.us/about/item.aspx?art=4668&bhcp=1

Want to learn more about how to achieve your own Robotics Merit Badge? Click here for a complete list of requirements.

Enter to Win!

In celebration of the new badge, LEGO Education is giving away three, Boy Scouts Robotics Merit Badge Packs, which include one LEGO MINDSTORMS Education Base Set and Software. Troop Leaders and Council Members alike are eligible to enter. The first winner will be announced at the FIRST World Championship on April 28th so sign up now!  Click here to enter.

Lightweight, Portable Practice / Demonstration FLL Table

Several of you have asked about the STOW-or-GO tables that I made for this year's competition to use in the practice areas and upstairs in the technical judging rooms. 

I got the idea from several different places, but the best "all-in-one" set of instructions I have found is from the Inventioneers!   http://www.theinventioneers.com/foamtabledirectory.html

You can use the "cache" feature of Google to see it as it was.

I normally wouldn't do this, as I would rather people go directly to the site, but for the sake of the Inventioneers' pocketbooks, I'm letting Google bear the cost of bandwidth for them by re-posting them here.

Here are the instructions from the Inventioneers FIRST LEGO League "STOW-or-GO" portable, foldable less than 10 pound table.

Inventioneers STOW-or-GO Pictures

Inventioneers STOW-or-GO Instructions

Additional Instructions and Diagrams.

21st Century Curricula – Integrating FIRST

I’ve been asked by several folks to share some of the more useful sites / links that I use to gather STEM, SET or FIRST and LEGO related curricula from.  So here they are!

Peer-Reviewed Robotics Lesson Plans:  http://robotics.nasa.gov/rcc/ - The NASA collaboration portal for all things robotics, Robotics Curriculum Clearninghouse (RCC).  The RCC has a mission to connect teachers everywhere with high-quality, peer-reviewed robotics curricula. The resources we feature range from full courses to single lesson plans that can be readily incorporated into classroom activities.

School Friendly Videos:  http://www.teachersdomain.org – A school friendly repository of videos and content related to teaching various concepts.  FIRST Robotics and LEGO specific videos here.  
http://www.p21.org/ - Partnership for 21st Century Learners.  Starting 6 years ago this organization produced the Framework for 21st Century Learning (where the Three ‘R’s get re-defined and meet the four ‘C’s) and the  MILE guide and self-assessment for determining where your program is at and what it needs to do to get 21st Century Ready.

http://thepartnershipfor21stcenturyskills238.eduvision.tv – Proceedings from the latest Partnership for 21st Century Learning.

Book:  21st Century Skills – Re-thinking How Students Learn

http://www.solution-tree.com/Public/Media.aspx?ShowDetail=true&ProductID=BKF389
This anthology introduces the Framework for 21st Century Learning from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills as a way to reenvision learning and prepare students for a rapidly evolving global and technological world. This dynamic new framework promotes innovation through critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and technology integration, while building on mastery of core content and background knowledge.

Lastly, there are three notable states that seem to have really integrated FIRST into their schools.  Minnesota, Michigan and Oregon.

Minnesota’s integration of FIRST as part of their 21st Century Learner and STEM initiatives

• http://www.scimathmn.org/mnstemnet.htm
• http://www.incommons.org/en-us/node/798/activity
• http://www.competitivewf.com/blog/?cat=4
• http://www.getstem-mn.com/Pages/STEMNews.aspx
• http://www.iteaconnect.org/Publications/STEMconnections/STEMconnections11-10.htm

Michigan’s - http://www.firstinmichigan.org/

Oregon’s - http://ortop.org/

Various Building Links, Tools & Inspiration

Generally Interesting Sites for NXT-based LEGO building

• http://sariel.pl/tools/ratios/ - LEGO Gear Ratio Calculator & Building Tool
• http://www.battlebricks.com/ - Latest Model is a “LEGO 3-D Printer”!
• http://roboticrealm.blogspot.com/ - All kinds of interesting posts, from Gearing to LEGO Digital Designer
• http://thenxtstep.blogspot.com/ - All things NXT!
• http://edventures.com/imssc/nsimssc/ - Supplier of STEM kits, labs and curriculum.
• http://www.teachergeek.com/ - Supplier of Geek kits, labs and curriculum.
• SIEMENS Corporation support of STEM Programs:  The STEM Institute - http://stem.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?event=showContent&c=48

Mining the Internet with Google

I wanted to share with others how I find some of what I share via del.icio.us on the Internet.  I mine the Internet using
google.com with the advanced search options.  I often find full classes, or lesson plans this way.

I use the “filetype:” syntax to narrow my search to downloadable filetypes, like Adobe Portable Document format (PDFs) and Microsoft PowerPoint files (PPTs). 

This is what my query looks like when I’m looking for PDF files OR PPT slide decks related to “NXT tips.”

The Pipe symbol “|” is achieved by pressing the <shift> and <backslash> (usually above the <ENTER> key) and generally means “OR” in many search systems.

I use the “site:” syntax to narrow the search results to a specific domain type, like .edu or .org.

Here is an example.

Happy Googling!

FIRST Columbus LEGO December Qualifier

Here is my "Thank You" video tribute to all of the parents, mentors, coaches, faculty and staff who made this year's FLL/JFLL event at CSU such a success. I couldn't have done it without you!



Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and good luck in 2011!

Jeanette and Frank Braski

CSU Regional Qualifier Results

Congratulations to all the teams who attended and participated in the Columbus State University TSYS School of Computer Science FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Qualifier and Jr. FLL Exposition! 

This year’s FIRST LEGO League challenge, Body Forward, tasked students with learning about the human body’s different systems to come up with bio-medical engineering solutions for today’s healthcare problems.


21 teams from across the state of Georgia convened at Columbus State’s Cunningham Center for Leadership Development this last Saturday to show off their research projects and compete for awards and the chance to move on to a “Super Regional” competition in January.  It was a great day to see healthcare and related medical robots, research and team work – each of the teams were wonderful, exemplifying the FLL Core Values.

Congratulations and a big thank you to all the CSU faculty, TSYS staff and student ACM and Campus Nerd volunteers who put on a great tournament.  Pictured in most of the team photos is distinguished department chairperson, Dr. Wayne Summers of CSU, and me, Frank Braski, volunteer FLL Operational Partner.

Special Thanks to JFLL Team 438 Robo Raptors for sharing their Turbo 3000 Electric Wheelchair with us!

I have shared pictures from the tournament here... if you have others you'd like to share, you can add them there, too!   http://picasaweb.google.com/Mr.Braski

Overall Champion's Awards

This award recognizes a team that embodies the FLL experience, by fully embracing our Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in both the Robot Game and Project.  It is the highest honor a team can win.

1. 4690 - T-City JETS, Thomasville City Schools, Thomasville
2. 11545 - DREAM BionicBoyz - St.Elmo Elementary, Columbus
3. 4254 - FPD Red - First Presbyterian Day School, Macon

Research Project Awards

Teams must conduct research on a challenge related topic of their choice, come up with an innovation solution and present it to Judges and others in the community.

1. 6290 - LEGO Powers - Koinonia Home School Cooperative, Americus
2. 11543 - DREAM Girls "7 of Hearts" - St. Elmo Elementary, Columbus
3. 5033 - Brooks County Middle School TSA - Robot Rage, Quittman

Robot Technical Award

The technical robot award recognizes teams demonstrated knowledge of their robot, unique or innovative designs or solutions to this year’s robot game challenge.  Programming, solution approach and use of sensors is included in this category.

1. 4800 - Jagwires - Bonaire Middle School, Bonaire
2. 5260 - Roaring Lion Brainiacs - E.A. White Elementary, Ft. Benning
3. 6719 - Metallic Mustangs - Gardner Newman Middle School, La Grange

Core Values / Teamwork Awards

Teams are reviewed by a panel of judges in three main categories:  Inspiration, Teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism, Respect and Coopertition (the ability to compete and cooperate/help each other simultaneously).

1. 3893 - Smart Girls - Girls, Inc., Columbus
2. 6227 - The Brainiaks - Laurens County, Dulblin
3. 4253 - FPD Black - First Presbyterian Day School, Macon  

Robot Game Performance / Top Score

This award recognizes a team that scores the most points during the Robot Game.  Teams have a chance to compete in at least three 2.5 minute matches and their highest score counts.

1. 4254 - FPD Red - First Presbyterian Day School, Macon - Top Score of 165 (twice!)

Teams qualifying for the Super Regional to be held at Star Base Robins in Warner Robins at the Air Force Musem on Saturday, January 8th, 2011:

• 4254 - FPD Red - First Presbyterian Day School, Macon
• 4253 - FPD Black - First Presbyterian Day School, Macon
• 4690 - T-City JETS - Thomasville City Schools, Thomasville
• 4800 - Jagwires - Bonaire Middle School, Bonaire
• 5260 - Roaring Lion Brainiacs - E.A. White Elementary, Ft. Benning
• 6290 - LEGO Powers - Koinonia Home School Cooperative, Americus
• 6719 - Metallic Mustangs - Gardner Middle Scool, La Grange
• 11545 - DREAM BionicBoyz - St. Elmo Elementary, Columbus

In addition, several other awards were presented, two to local youth and one to a couple of coaches from Quitman.


Outstanding Volunteer Award - The FLL program would not exist without its volunteers. This award honors an extraordinary volunteer(s) whose dedication to the FLL program has a positive impact on the team experience.

Jason Cornwell, a CSU Graduate Assistant, of Warner Robins received the Outstanding Volunteer Award. He has been mentoring teams, teaching LEGO Mindstorms Activ8 camps and helping Mr. Braski prepare for and run the tournament for the last two years.

Adult Coach / Mentor Award - Many teams reach significant milestones thanks to their close relationship with an adult mentor. This award goes to the coach or mentor whose wisdom, guidance, and devotion are most clearly evident in the team’s discussion with the judges.

This year’s recipients are a husband and wife team that have been coaching and mentoring the teams from Quitman in Brooks County. Tyler and Michelle Sorrells were surprised by this honor by their team who shared their stories of being inspired and impressed by their teamwork and dedication.

Young Adult Mentor Award - FLL presents this award to the young adult, high school or college mentor whose support, impact, inspiration, and guidance are most clearly evident in the team’s discussion with the judges.

This year’s Young Adult Mentor Award goes to Ebone Monk of Columbus High School.  Ebone is one of several Columbus High school's FIRST Robotics mentors, which included Pranam Chatterjee, Priyanka Chatterjee, David Howard, Emily Takagi, Streit Cunningham, and David Ren.