Progression from FIRST LEGO League to FIRST Tech Challenge (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.14)

Hello Teams,

There have been several questions during the season regarding the Michigan FIRST Progression of Programs.

This year is the second year of the two-year program transition that it taking place in Michigan.

Michigan runs FIRST LEGO League in Upper Elementary, and FIRST Tech Challenge in middle school / junior high.  The goal is to allow the students to grow through the entire progression of programs, to develop and enhance their skills through high school. 

FIRST IN MICHIGAN Consent & Release Forms (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.14)

Hello Teams!

I know that many of you are preparing for your Qualifying event this coming weekend!

Please make sure that you have signed paper FIRST IN MICHIGAN Consent & Release forms for all team members, including coaches, mentors, and students.  These need to be turned in when you sign in at the event.

The FIRST IN MICHIGAN Consent & Release form may be found here.

Good luck teams!  Have Fun

Pamela Williamson
Michigan FIRST LEGO League Partner
michiganfll@gmail.com

Mission Rules Clarifications for Michigan FIRST LEGO League Teams (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.13)

Teams,

Our Michigan FIRST LEGO League Lead Head Referee, Steve Thomas, has created a Missions - Rules Clarification (v1.1) for Michigan teams.

Please review this information and prepare your team prior to attending your event.

The Michigan Missions - Rules Clarification v1.1  document may be found here.

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Animal Allies Advancement Criteria (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.12)

Advancement criteria for the Michigan FIRST LEGO League 2016 Animal Allies season has been posted to the FIRST in Michigan website, and may be found here. 

Preparing for a Michigan FIRST LEGO League Event (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.11)

Hello Teams!

As you prepare for your official Michigan FIRST LEGO League Qualifier, please take a few minutes to review this important information:

·         FIRST LEGO League Participation Rules

·         Tournament Checklist

·         Judging and Awards, Judging FAQ, the Michigan Rubrics, the Awards, and Core Values

·         For parents: link to register their child in the Youth Team Member System

·         Instructions for printing your team roster

Best of Luck to all the teams who participate!  Have fun!

Pamela Williamson

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Partner

michiganfll@gmail.com

Michigan FIRST LEGO Event Assignments Posted (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.10)

Hello Teams!

The event assignments have been posted to the 2016 Michigan FLL Team List! 

If you are listed as your event being TBD, you should have received a separate email from michiganfll@gmail.com with further instructions.

If you are listed as your event being N/A, that means an application has not been received.  Please contact michiganfll@gmail.com for further instructions.  There are a limited number of Qualifying events spots still available.  (Each team may only participate in one Qualifying event.)

As you prepare for your event, please review all 2016 Michigan FIRST LEGO League email blasts on the FIRST in Michigan website: http://michiganfll.blogspot.com/, for important information, including Judging at the events (http://michiganfll.blogspot.com/2016/09/judging-at-michigan-first-lego-league.html), where the Michigan Project Pilot Rubrics may be found.

Additional updates regarding Michigan Robot Game Rounds will be posted in the next week.  Please watch for updates.

Best of Luck to all the teams who participate!  Have fun!

Pamela Williamson

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Partner

michiganfll@gmail.com

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Practice Tournaments (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.09)

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Practice Tournaments  (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.09)

Hello Teams!

There are four practice tournaments that will be taking place across the state. 

Please not that these are NOT official Michigan FIRST LEGO League events.  These events do NOT meet the official event requirement for grants. 

These events are coordinated locally by the Tournament Directors.  Please direct any questions to the appropriate contact listed below for each event.

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Grants Available! (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.08)

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Grants Available!  (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.08)

There are three different grant opportunities for 2016 Michigan FIRST LEGO League teams. 

·         Michigan Department of Education (State Grant) 

·         Ford Motor Company Employee Mentored Team Grant

·         General Motors (GM) Rookie Elementary School Team Grant

Please read below for more details and links to applications.

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Event Applications & More (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.07)

Teams,

This is a quick reminder that event applications open on Saturday, October 8 at 8:00 a.m.  More details may be found in the previous Michigan FLL Team Blast. 

Team Grants

Information on Team Grants will be coming out later this weekend, in the next Michigan FLL Team Blast.  Please note that you must attend an official FIRST in Michigan FIRST LEGO League event, in order to qualify for a grant.  All grants are reimbursement grants.

Practice Tournaments

Information on unofficial practice events around the state will be coming out early next week, in another Michigan FLL Team Blast.

Reminder:  All Michigan FIRST LEGO League email blasts may be found on the FIRST in Michigan website: http://michiganfll.blogspot.com/

Go Teams!

Pamela Williamson

Michigan FLL Partner

michiganfll@gmail.com

Michigan FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Event Application Process (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.06)

As noted in MI FLL Team Blast 2016.06, each FIRST LEGO League team in Michigan may participate in one Qualifying event.  Qualifying events will take place each Saturday, between November 5 and December 3.  There will be no Qualifying events over the Thanksgiving weekend. 

The Michigan FIRST LEGO League Event Application period will take place October 8 through 16.

Studio Nights for Metro Detroit Area FIRST LEGO League Teams (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.05)

NEW THIS FALL....

SUNDAY IS STUDIO NIGHT FOR TEAMS 

AT THE ROBOT GARAGE

Starting Sunday night, September 18^th

Judging at Michigan FIRST LEGO League Events (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.04)

Hello FLL Teams, Coaches, and Mentors! 

Please read this important information regarding judging at FIRST LEGO League Tournaments in Michigan for the 2016 Animal Allies season:

Welcome to the 2016 Michigan FIRST LEGO League Season! (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.03)

Coaches,

We hope you are as excited about our Animal Allies season as all of our FIRST LEGO League volunteers here in Michigan!  This year’s challenge will be interesting and we will all learn a lot from our fabulous students.  Here is some important information about FIRST LEGO League in Michigan, that you will need to know this season.

Metro Detroit Area FIRST LEGO League Kickoff (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.02)

This message is for Metro Detroit Area FLL Teams:

CALLING ALL MENTORS, PARENTS, TEACHERS & KIDS
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL)
FREE KICK-OFF NIGHTS NEXT WEEK 

SEE THE NEW COMPETITION & FIELD SET-UP
Q&A WITH EXPERTS
FIND OUT ABOUT THE ROBOT GARAGE'S NEW FLL STUDIO NIGHTS!

The Robot Garage will be hosting FREE Kick-Off Events for Teams, at each of their three locations in Metro Detroit.
BIRMINGHAM / Tuesday Night, August 30th, 6 - 8 PM
GROSSE POINTE / Wednesday Night August 31st, 6-8 PM
ROCHESTER HILLS / Thursday Night, September 1st, 6-8 PM

Seating is limited. Because this is a free event, it can get crowded. We appreciate your understanding. We will do our best to accommodate everyone. Please REGISTER FOR FREE on the Robot Garage site. You must click on the CLASSES tab to see these events: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/home?studioid=17778

Pamela Williamson
Michigan FLL Partner
michiganfll@gmail.com

FIRST LEGO League Coach Training - Grand Rapids Area (MI FLL Team Blast 2016.01)

Hello Teams!

There will be training sessions taking place in the Grand Rapids area for both rookie and experienced FIRST LEGO League coaches. Training dates are:

Saturday August 20th - Rookie Coaches Training

September 10th - Rookie Coaches Training

September 17th - Veteran Coaches Advanced Training.

These training sessions are being offered by Grand Dial Communications, and there is a fee for these sessions.