RePLAY Coach Email Volume 8 10/2/20 Next Webinar Link. iGrant update! FLL Mini Challenge!
Greetings Coaches!
If you are new to this email this is the place where you will find all of the Washington specific FIRST LEGO League information. Coaches and team administrators in the FIRST system for the RePLAY season will be added weekly. Every email from me will be numbered and that number lets you know which update it is, if you miss an update you can find it on our website.
I have 5 items for you today:
- Recurring meeting scheduled 10/13.
- iGrant is now open! Update!
- FLL Mini Challenges
- Current plans for the 2020/2021 season
- Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge!
FIRST LEGO League recurring meeting scheduled. Next meeting 10/13
We will be hosting a recurring webinar monthly on the second Tuesday each month. Our next meeting is on 10/13. We will be using Zoom instead of GoToMeeting this time. Hope you all can attend!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83748994936
iGrants are now open! Important Updates
I just learned today that there is an error with the iGrant form. For those of you who have filled it out, you probably noticed how short and simple it was this year (I believe just one question) That was an error with their form OSPI is working to correct the form and should have it posted by the end of this week or next week.
For those of you who have already filled out the form: I am still waiting to learn what that means if you have already filled out the iGrant form. I will send an update in next week’s team blast when I have more info from OSPI.
For those of you who have not yet filled out the form: Make sure that the new form is showing before you take time to fill it out. The current form only has one question as I understand it and is much shorter. Please wait to submit until you see the longer form.
The deadline to submit a grant for your building is Monday, November 2nd. After your grant is submitted, it will need to be approved by your district so don’t wait until the last minute to apply!
FLL Mini Challenges
This year with our competition season pushed until February, we decided to try something new for teams. We will be releasing bi-weekly mini challenges. These challenges will consist of two missions from this years game, an easier one and a harder one, for teams to solve based on the official rules for that mission. Teams only need to complete one, but can complete both if they wish to.
Each team will be required to submit a video of the robot run, with no visible students, and a copy of the code associated (screen shots are allowed).
There will be 5 sets of challenges with a bonus 6th set for teams that want more fun! The first challenge will be released on 10/6, with the next released 2 weeks later. You have until the end of December to complete the challenges. All teams that participate will be entered into a drawing for prizes, and will receive a certificate for each challenge completed. We will also be posting a list of teams that participate and which challenges they have completed on our website.
The submission link and the first challenge will be released 10/6!
Current event plans for the 2020/21 season
- Our current plan is to leave registration open until the beginning of January
- We don’t plan to start running events until the end of February at the earliest.
- Based on the information we have at this time, we plan to run fully remote events in the spring though we will monitor things throughout the year and if it is safe in some areas we could move to in person events. At this time, however, you should plan on competing remotely.
Like everyone else, we are trying to make plans while hitting a moving target. It would help us know how to support you if we understand what your plans and your challenges are. If you could take a brief moment to fill out this survey we would be so grateful! I know several of you have already filled this survey out, thank you!
Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge!
Bring real-world industry to your class this fall with the Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge!
We know that back-to-school is exceptionally challenging this year and keeping students engaged and inspired is top of mind for all teachers. Try out this free, 3-hour virtual challenge to teach your students the power of coding while uncovering how Amazon uses computer science and robotics daily to deliver customer orders.
The Amazon Cyber Robotics Challenge is free, open to anyone, and recommended for grades 4 and up. Register students with your unique class codes to track and celebrate progress throughout the challenge.
Meet Ashley and Abakir, two Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipients, as they introduce this year’s challenge. They will guide students through the challenge and speak about their own computer science journeys.
The challenge can be broken into four 45 minute or three 60 minute lessons for any class (Intro to CS, AP CSP, science, math, etc). Review lesson objectives, agendas, and all materials to prepare for great in-person or virtual instruction.
Stay Tuned for Awards and Prizes!
Complete the challenge with your classroom by December 18, 2020, and be eligible to win $250 for your class. Each month from August- December, Amazon Future Engineer will raffle off five $250 gift cards to classrooms that have completed the challenge and final survey with at least 12 students. Want more information? See here for all details.
Learn more at AmazonFutureEngineer.com
Important Dates:
- October 6: First Mini Challenge
- October 13: FLL Webinar
- November 2: iGrants close
Useful Contacts
- National Team Registration, Youth Protection, Student Registration, Challenge Information: fllchallenge@firstinspires.orgor firstinspires.org
- Tournament Registration & Participation, Local Information, Facebook: Jacque Grimm, jacqueg@firstwa.org
- Robot Game Questions: WA Regional Head Referee, Kevin Torrico, fllheadreferee@firstwa.org
- FIRSTGame Questions: fllrobotgame@firstinspires.org
- Booster Accounts: boosters@firstwa.org
- Invoices and Payments: FIRSTWashington Accounting, accounting@firstwa.org
Thank you all for your patience, flexibility and grace during this time!
Jacqueline Grimm
Program Manager