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interviews and performance under pressure. Remember, partof your score is based on teamwork. When teammates snipeat each other, they do not show gracious professionalism.Mentors and coaches should quickly step in as conflicts willarise.If there is one thing that judges look for in the interviews,it is that the kids did the work. The huge investment thatyou make in teaching the kids to be self-sufficient will paydividends in relaxation when the team decides to make thedrive for the win. Self-sufficiency is more easily achieved inolder teams but with enough work, can be achieve in youngteams as well.A team must completely live the FLL values to expect to dowell at the National and World Championship level. In thesecompetitions, they are judges whose job it is to be constantlylooking for both good and bad behavior. The FLL values areprobably the most important aspect of FLL but it is difficult tounderstand and focus on this as a new team.Another part of the competition is the team’s project presentation. Here, theMicrobots present their project, which included a environmentally friendly housedesigned in LEGO Digital Designer.These values will also be critical for those kids who want tomove on to the next level, FIRST. This high-school programthat builds high-end, metal robots is built on cooperating whilecompeting. Many FLL kids make ideal FIRST teammates asthey already understand what is expected of them as far as thevalues are concerned.ConclusionFIRST LEGO League provides a means to teach kids importantskills for their future. Teamwork, leadership, programming,public speaking, mechanical engineering, research, and graceunder pressure are some of the many skills that an FLL teammember will learn. What is important is that they will learnthese skills in grade and middle school. The FLL experience islike no other and kids that strive to excel in FLL will later excelin life.Excited team members get ready for a robot game. The high energy level on thegame floor is contagious.Coaches and mentors play a huge role in the success of a team.As FIRST LEGO League can be as strenuous on the coachesas it is on the team, multiple coaches are recommended wherepossible. Mentors are usually high-school or college studentswho want to help the team. Mentors play an important parton winning teams and a good mentor or two is extremelyvaluable. New coaches should not be afraid to ask for helpfrom veteran teams. Most veterans will gladly help a rookieteam in need.The smiles are everywhere at an FLL event.2007Power PuzzleTeams: 10941Your robot must gather resources tomake energy such as corn (for ethanol)and uranium (for nuclear). Move powerlines and a dam to maximize yourenergy production and points.2008Climate ConnectionTeams: 13705The climate is always an interestingtopic and this year’s challenge looksat connecting two different areas ofthe world. Raise a house, deliver apolar bear, and retrieve an ice core allto maximize your robot’s score.2009Smart MoveTeams: TBDTeams consider the various modesof transportation. A smart move is topick the best modes to maximize yourpoints.The number of teams for each challenge year camefrom the 2009 FIRST Championship ProgramGuide.