FLL Comic Book - RoboDesigners.com

It's educational.
It's exciting!
It's
challenging...
From Starting Your Team to Attending a Tournament
A FIRST LEGO League Illustrated Adventure
It's fun!

2
Changing The Culture One Brick At A Time
FIRST LEGO League can change a kid’s life. They begin as your typical 9 to 14 year old kids.
But something happens over an eight-week period. They are asked to think in new ways.
They solve problems. They work with coaches and mentors. They fail, they succeed.
They begin to ask questions they have never asked before. They teach themselves.
“We want to change the culture by celebrating the mind. We
need to show kids that it’s more fun to design and create a video
game than it is to play one”.
Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST
Using the LEGO ® MINDSTORMS Technology, LEGO bricks and
other elements such as sensors, motors and gears, teams conduct
scientific research, and design, build and test a fully autonomous
robot, then compete in a friendly FIRST-style robotics event
specially designed for their age group.
In 2002, more than 30,000 kids participated from 44 states
and 6 other countries. It’s a huge success. Kids love it everywhere.
And it’s not about getting the highest score at the
tournament. It’s about the experience – the experience of
creative thinking, of working together, of figuring out how
to solve problems using engineering techniques and robots.
How cool is that?
“Participants refine personal skills that they will call upon
throughout life, such as teamwork, creativity and sociability
– skills that make them successful adults”.
Woodie Flowers, MIT Professor and National Advisor of FIRST
FIRST LEGO League: Created by FIRST and LEGO Company
FIRST and LEGO Company work together as partners to inspire interest, excitement and
participation in science and technology amongst young people. In 1998, our partnership
launched the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE ( FLL) International Robotics Tournament for children
9 to 14 year olds. Using real world problems, hands on experience, and adult mentors,
FLL participants build talents, discover possibilities and create aspirations that last a lifetime.
– read more at page 19
www.usfirst.org

FIRST LEGO League
sounds interesting.
Hey, Dad, ever heard of FLL?
www.firstlegoleague.org
Check that out, an FLL
poster! I think I'll talk to
my dad about it.
No, Mia.
What's that?
See you
tomorrow!
3

Jamie. She's 13, and the
leading scorer on my
soccer team.
Eve, 12, the class
computer whiz.
4
It stands for FIRST LEGO League. Mrs. Hannah, our
math teacher, told us about it today. They've got this
really cool website . . .
There is a lot of information about FIRST LEGO League program
on www.firstlegoleague.org and www.usfirst.org
So, think you
could help
us out?
Well, I don't know
much about computers and
technical stuff, but . . .
We recommend that teams work with at least two adult mentors in addition to the team coach. High school and college students make
great mentors.
Sure, but we still need at
least one more grown-up to be
a team mentor. Right now, my
teammates are --
Michael, 11. He's
totally crazy about
skateboarding!
-- and Luke,11.
He's my very
best friend.
No problem! Mrs. Hannah's going
to coach us.
Mrs. Hannah, our
math teacher. She's
the coach, of course.
www.usfirst.org
John, our other team
mentor. He's 19 and
is studying to be a
mechanical engineer.
Now we just need a great
chef who can fix snacks and
help us keep our energy up --
Isn't one
coach enough?
Tommy, 12. He's always got his nose
in a book -- or into something fun!
All right, already!
Count me in! Let's call
Mrs. Hannah and get
everyone together for a
first meeting.

The team is gathered for the first time at Mia's house.
Is everybody here?
We can find out more
about the Competition and
register our team at
www.usfirst.org.
It might be a
good idea to find a
sponsor . . .
The Challenge is divided into two major parts; the research assignment and the actual
robot game. We'll have just eight weeks to work on both.
Establishing a relationship with a company can be beneficial for a team in a number of ways.
A company can contribute as a sponsor while also providing insight and experience into future careers.
Team Fantasy, it is! All agreed?
Let's sign up online right now!
-- and to come up with
a cool name for our
team!
But when will we
know what the
Challenge is?
www.firstlegoleague.org
Whiz Kids
Bricks4Brains
We'll find out right
after . . .
The Botheadz
DreamBots
LEGO Loonies
Team Fantasy
. . . summer
vacation!
5

I sure hope this vacation
goes by fast!
. . . so we're looking
for a sponsor . . .
Sure, we'll call back
after vacation.
It is a good idea to get familiar with FLL preparations before the Challenge is announced.
Okay everybody,
today's the Kickoff! Let's
check out the Challenge
details on the FLL Whoa!
website . . . This Challenge
looks really . . .
challenging.
. . . so we'll need a 100% team
effort from everyone if we're going to succeed.
Wow, there's so
much stuff to learn!
Think we can
handle it?
I want to help with
the research.
It looks tougher
than I expected.
. . . and
I'll build
the robot!
6 www.usfirst.org
Hmmm, I certainly
know where they're
coming from.
I'll say!
I'm going to design
a team logo with the
computer!
Thanks, Dad! This table
you built for our playing
field is perfect!
Let's gather the team
together and read through
the Challenge with
them . . . .
Hey! I want to make
the robot, too!
. . . uh, what
about that
team effort?

In the FLL Manual there are teambuilding exercises that work well to introduce teamwork concepts.
Hey team, everyone calm down. This is
getting us nowhere.
To ensure each individual has a positive and rewarding experience, roles and responsibilities should be shared amongst
team members.
Hello, it`s Mia again.
I called you last summer about
sponsoring our FIRST LEGO League
team . . .
Things
aren't going too
smoothly . . .
C'mon, guys!
Chill out!
You all know,
this Challenge is going to
require real teamwork. Why make it
tougher than it already is?
Thank you so much! . . . Yes,
we're very excited to meet with
you. Thursday would be great!
www.firstlegoleague.org
Who says
you get to do the
research assignment
by yourself?
I say.
So get used to it!
Let's review the roles and
responsibilities listed in our
team manual.. I'm sure once
the Robot and Challenge
sets arrive, there will be
plenty of work for all of us.
AWESOME!
7

Wow! Look at all
the parts!
Programming a robot
isn't nearly as hard as I
thought it would be.
Here's the robot
software and some ideas
for building robots.
This robot
absolutely has
to have belts!
Nope,
no way! It's got to
have wheels!
8 www.usfirst.org
Don’t start!
Guess what?
Our kit's here!
Setting up the playing field and assembling the mission models are exellent ways to engage the entire team.
This mat looks really
cool. I wonder where the
mission models will go?
Arrgg . . .
Give me a
break!
What are we
waiting for?!
Just joking!
Ha! Ha!

The FLL International Forum on
the web site offers teams the
opportunity to design their own
team page, exchange ideas,
and learn what other
teams are doing
around the
globe.
I’m posting a discussion
topic on the team forum.
I hope I get an answer soon!
Timing and different sensors like touch, rotation and light can control the robot.
How do those touch
sensors work?
I'll bet you
can figure
them out . . .
www.firstlegoleague.org
Good job,
Michael!
Check this out!
When we use the
sensors, it does the
same thing each
time!
The role of the adult is to advise and support the team – not to make the decisions!
It is important that the kids are encouraged and allowed to make the decisions.
Okay, team. Our robot program is really starting
to come together.
We should probably get
started on our Research
Presentation.
Information sources for the Research Presentation can be found on the FLL website and at the public library.
I can't wait to see what
we find at the library!
Here, take this one . . .
and this one . . .
and this one . . .
Uh-oh,
maybe we
should
rethink
this.
Good idea.
9

We're off to a good start, but
there's still a lot to do.
I think we should do something
unexpected. Something out of
the ordinary.
Like what?
There are lots of different ways!
We could present . . .
Sure thing, Shakespeare! But I've got two left feet! SNORE In your dreams, Luciano!
10 www.usfirst.org
How do you guys plan to
present your research?
I've put together an outline
of all the info we've
gathered so far . . .
– A PLAY – – A DANCE –
– POWERPOINT
PRESENTATION –
– AN OPERA –
Teams may choose any format for their Research Presentation.
Remember, our
presentation time is very
limited.
I vote for the opera!
Ha! Ha!
Maybe now's a good time to review
the judging section of our team manual.

Our sponsor should be here any
minute! I’m actually sort of nervous . . .
This logo looks great.
Have you thought about how you'd
like to use it?
It usually takes several tries before you get to your final robot design.
- your wheels are too
big -
- your legs are impossible
to build -
Thanks again, Mr. Johnson.
We really appreciate your
company's sponsorship.
Perhaps you could get some
T-shirts made up for the tournament.
You might also create a team website,
and be sure to contact the Daily News.
They're always looking for good
local stories.
- your robot is just
too bulky -
www.firstlegoleague.org
- or too unstable,
then suddenly -
Uh-oh!
Looks like our robot's
gear ratio needs tweaking!
Ideas, anyone?
Hey you guys!
Wait 'til you hear all the
new ideas!
- IT WORKS!
11

Whew! Our Research
Presentation if finally
finished!
12
The robot's all set.
I think our programming is perfect!
This is one of the posters
that we'll show the judges.
This is our last meeting
before the tournament. Shall we
take a moment to go over what to
expect at the state event?
I helped design the
logo and silkscreen
the T-shirts.
Good idea.
I just finished up the last
Research Presentation poster.
Now I understand why
you've been working
so hard!
www.usfirst.org
Your parents will be here soon.
Ready to show them what you've
been up to these past
few weeks?
-- And we've been
practicing our team cheer!
I wanna do this when I
get big.
Me too!

Today is the State Tournament
Yup, it’s all
under control.
Whoa! Check
out that robot!
Get pumped!
Today's the day!
Do we have everything?
Here are our
registration papers.
Our robot rocks!
Have you guy's
been here before?
This is our
third year
www.firstlegoleague.org
Hey, this is
just the practice
round --
Who's that yellow team?
-- but everything's working
perfectly! . . . except my
stomach. It's full of
butterflies.
Time for
the opening
ceremony.
13

14
This is so much more than I ever imagined!!

This
Fantasy Folio
charts the
progress of
our mission
plan . . .
Research Presentation in
five minutes! Is everybody
ready?
. . . from Week One 'til
the present.
Great job, everybody!
What a team!
Uh ... my mind's
gone blank. Just
kidding!
Hello.
We're Team Fantasy.
Now, we'd like to finish up with a
rousing rendition of our Team Song . . .
Technical Judging,
here we come!
Uh-oh. This is it!
15

LOOK! WHAT'S HAPPENING!! IT'S OUT OF CONTROL!!!
16
Go! Go!
I can't wait to see it in action.
This should be some round!
Chin up, Mike. That was just
the first round. We've still got a few
more tries. Let's reload the program
and make some adjustments,
okay?
Now here's a team with a great-looking robot . . .
Don't worry team, everything's
under control. Let's grab
some lunch.
It's off and running, and . . .
uh . . .
Pssst! Those guys
WON last year!
I don't get it?! It worked great in
the practice round!
All that hard work and then
this happens . . . Darn it!
Hey, the exact same thing
happened to us at our first competition.
Don't sweat it, you'll figure it out.
Let us know if you want some help.

FLL Tournament - Final Rounds, Closing Ceremonies...
Winner of the prestigious Director Award...
www.firstlegoleague.org
17

18
Dad, I had so much fun with FLL!
Let's do it again next year!
You bet!
I never knew learning about
computers and robots and technical
stuff could be so much fun! I can hardly
wait to see what next year's
Challenge will be!
See you at the next
FIRST LEGO League Challenge!
www.usfirst.org

Are you ready for the FLL Challenge? Here is the annual timeline
May 1 Team Registration Opens
June Robot Kits and Team Manuals begin shipping
August Challenge Kits begin shipping
Mid Sept Challenge announced
Late Sept Team Registration Closes
Sept - Oct State Tournament Applications Accepted
Nov- Jan Local Events and State Tournaments
Have a look at www.firstlegoleague.org. Find the tournament that will be organized
nearest you. Registration is available on-line May 1 - September 30. The approximate
cost for a new team (including the registration fee and all required materials) is $600.
For more information, please call FIRST: 800-871-8326, option 1
Check out our websites: www.usfirst.org and www.firstlegoleague.org.
FIRST
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
FIRST was founded by renowned inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen to inspire and
excite young people about science and technology. FIRST designs accessible, innovative
programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people
to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. The premise of FIRST is to
partner youth with practicing engineers so that the student can “play’ with the professionals
to solve challenging engineering problems. To achieve this goal, FIRST promotes two programs,
the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and FIRST LEGO League for 9 to
14 year olds. FIRST is a national 501c 3 nonprofit public charity founded in 1989
The LEGO Story
The LEGO story began in 1932 when Ole Kirk Christiansen founded the company in Billund,
Denmark. The name LEGO combines the two Danish words “LEg GOdt” (‘play well” in
English). Running the LEGO Company under the motto “Only the best is good enough”.
Ole, his son Godfred and now, his grandson Kjeld, have built a successful business, which
today delivers creative and learning-rich products and experiences to children of all ages
in more than 130 markets globally.
One of the recent additions to the LEGO family of products is the unique LEGO MINDSTORMS
concept, which integrates robotics technology into the LEGO building system, offering new
ways for children to interact with the world and apply technology with imagination and understanding.
© Copyright 2003, LEGO Group. LEGO and MINDSTORMS are trademarks of the LEGO Group.
The FIRST logo is a service mark of the U.S. Foundation For Inspiration and Recognition of
Science and Technology.
www.firstlegoleague.org
19

Think you know what
FLL is all about? Our story
might surprise you!
We'll help you avoid
some of our first-time mistakes...
Whether you're thinking
of coaching or mentoring
a team...
In this book,
you'll learn how we put our
FIRST LEGO League team together...
...teach you exactly what it means to
be a FIRST LEGO League mentor...
...or you just want
to learn more about FLL...
So, what are
you waiting for?! Your FIRST
LEGO League adventure
begins inside!
For more information, please call:
FIRST LEGO League: 800-871-8326, option 1
Check out our website:
www.usfirst.org and www.firstlegoleague.org
...and got ready for a
local FLL tournament in
just eight short weeks!
...and show you
just how important teamwork
is to success!
...we're here with answers
to your questions.
Layout: FIRST Scandinavia / BEDRE Reklame. Drawings: Bjørnar Meisler. Photos: FIRST Scandinavia.