2nd Email Blast to Food Factor Teams

Hello Coaches,

I just wanted to touch base with you on a few things at this time.

1. First of all, please note tomorrow's training session which is aimed at ALL coaches who are interested.  The focus will be discussing the robot game, rules, clarifications, and common strategies used to be successful.  You will need to log in to register for this online training which is starting at 7 p.m.  For more information please go to our Training and Resources page.  On this page, you'll also see other upcoming Coach Training opportunities and resources.  Check back often as it is updated weekly.  In preparation for tomorrow's workshop, I would suggest you watch this 7 minute video on Youtube.  If you missed one of our previous trainings, they will be posted on the website at the same link above (one is already up from last week). 
   
2. Team Registration is almost closed for the Food Factor Challenge.  If you are still recruiting someone to compete, please note that registration closes on Sept. 30th.
   
3. If you are a veteran team and are looking to mentor a rookie team, please email me to make a connection with that team.  There is some funding available if you are interested in doing so.   If you are an FLL team interested in mentoring, documentation regarding the funding is here.
4. Tournament registration will open shortly after Team registration closes.  I will email you, post it on my blog, and on our website when it is open and at that time you can register your team for your tournament.
5. Read your Coaches' Manual - it's your guide to success.  Pay attention to the rubrics and the timeline for the season!

Have fun!

Dave

Dave Ellis
FLL Operational Partner - Ontario, Canada
www.firstroboticscanada.org

Only 7 days left!!

Hello teams, with only 7 days left before registration closes we are pulling in our final teams for the 2011 Food Factor season.  We currently sit at 277 teams across Ontario which is a huge increase over last year's total of 229!  Congratulations to all those who have joined this great adventure! 

Tournament registration will open shortly after the Team Registration closes so keep an eye out for a post here and an email blast out regarding that process for you.

I hope your preparations so far have been going smoothly - remember to read that Coaches' Guide thoroughly and keep an eye on their suggested timeline. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dave

1st Email Blast To Food Factor Coaches

Hello Coaches,

I just wanted to take a moment to welcome you all to the 2011 FIRST LEGO League (FLL) season called "Food Factor"!  I will try to keep emails to one per week (you'll also be getting one from FLL HQ each week) but that will mean they could be quite lengthy each time.  :)  There are 4 items of note in this email - please take a moment to read through.


Housekeeping
First of all, if you are receiving this email and you are NOT the coach of this team (for example you are the Office Administrator who purchased the registration for the school but will not be coaching the team), please send me your team number and the correct email address so that I may update my mail list.  Otherwise, the coach of your team will not receive crucial information from FLL Ontario and from FIRST HQ.


Kick-Off event!!
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has sponsored FLL in Ontario this year in support of the food safety theme and together we will be hosting a kick off event for the season on Tuesday, September the 13th starting at 1:30 p.m. and finishing by 2:30 p.m. at Captain R Wilson PS in Oakville.  While it is assumed most schools outside the Peel/Halton region will be unable to attend, we want you to know that you are all invited to the event.  If you are in close proximity to the school and are able to attend, we strongly encourage you to bring your kids and enjoy a good time!  The World Champion "Sentinels" will be there, showing some of their coolest moves from their now-famous robot from last season.  In addition, someone from Maple Leaf Foods will be present to discuss food safety.  Lastly, I'll be there to explain the game/project for this season.  The Sentinels will finish it off with a discussion of some tips/tricks for this year's challenge.  It's sure to be a good time so come on out!
Please RSVP.


Coach Training:
Looking for some information on how to tackle this whole thing called FLL?  Look no further...OK, a little further.  FLL HQ has its own Coach Training series which I would recommend you follow.  If you miss an episode, you can always catch the recording at http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresources - download it and listen to it on your iPod or computer.

In addition to these conference calls, we'll be hosting our own coach training in Ontario.  It will take a few different forms (some face to face where available and some online).  We will announce all training via email, my blog, and on our website as they become available.  This email is to let you know about our first online training being held next Tuesday evening (the 13th) from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.  This session would be best for brand new coaches who have questions about how to get started.  If interested, please join us by clicking on the link below to register.  You'll have an opportunity to jump in and ask questions.  I full schedule of training will be posted on the blog and the website soon.

Space is limited.  Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/363437526


Money money money, MONEY!
We have money to support new teams in Ontario and if you haven't already taken advantage of that as a new team, please look at the documentation posted here.  It doesn't apply to all teams but most new teams could benefit.

That's it for now!  Have a great weekend!

Dave

Dave Ellis
FLL Operational Partner - Ontario, Canada
www.firstroboticscanada.org

It's heeeeeerre....!!!

Hello FLL fans, the moment we've been waiting for since the Smart Move season ended a few months ago is here!  The release of the 2011 Food Factor game and project!!

Here's a direct link to the page you're looking for: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2011foodfactor

Have fun and go get 'em!!

Dave

Updated Financial stimulus plan!

NOTE: This blog post is out-of-date.  For updated links to Grant Documents for the 2012 season, please go to: http://fllontario.blogspot.ca/2012/05/sr-solutions-team-blast-1.html






No, not the government's financial stimulus...FIRST Robotics Canada's!!

As we did in the spring of 2011, there is money available once again for schools to start up new teams. The updated documents and procedure for new teams can be found here (or here if you have an older version of Word).

If you are a mentoring team, there is money for you as well.
If you are an FLL team interested in mentoring, your document is here.
If you are an FRC team interested in mentoring an FLL team you can find your document here.

Let's bump our numbers up and get even more kids involved in this fantastic program!

Dave