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 Check
back throughout the season as we add resources for education and research for
JFLL, FLL, and FTC challenges.
Scroll down for lots of resources . Get them now!
Team Info Sheets, Maps, Rules, Worksheets, Rulers and
more.
NOTE: IT IS BEST TO 'RIGHT CLICK' ON THE LINKS BELOW AND
CHOOSE "Save Target As..." to download the documents.
CHECK OUT
OUR FTC ROBOT THROWING OUT THE
FIRST PITCH AT AN IRONBIRDS GAME...
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A Note about Printing Elements at Fedexs or
Similar Stores:
Some stores have refused to print our documents based on corporate
copyright policy. However, the documents below do not fall under the policy. Got
to the
FLL Legal Notices Page (http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/legal-notices
) and print out the PDF Titled: "Policy on the Use of FIRST Trademarks and
Copyrighted Materials." See section II points 1 and 2
II. WHO May Use These Trademarks and Copyrighted Materials
1. Currently registered FIRST teams and FIRST participants may use the
FIRST and the Joint FIRST and LEGO Trademarks (word marks and logos), and
the LEGO word marks, in a way that relates to their FIRST team names and
activities (e.g. the “FRC® Wonderbots” or the “FLL® Rocket Kids.” They do
not have to obtain advance permission, use Disclaimers, or provide advance
notice to FIRST.
2. Registered FIRST teams or FIRST participants (i.e., non-profit
entities) may use the FIRST and the Joint FIRST and LEGO Trademarks (word
marks, not the logos) and the LEGO word marks, and Copyrighted Material to
conduct activities related to a FIRST program (e.g., an FRC team teaching
skills to an FLL or Jr.FLL team) as long as they use the revenue to
underwrite their cost of participation in FIRST programs and use the
Disclaimers. They do not have to obtain advance permission or provide
advance notice to FIRST, but as noted, they are not permitted to use the
logos.
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A Note about Acrobat Files for MAC/LINUX
Users:
The files below are in Acrobat 8 format for high quality reproduction.
If you are on an older Mac or Linux system you may have problems opening them.
Sometimes the MAC native PDF viewer does not show complex PDFs correctly. You
should install the actual ACROBAT READER to view them.
You can download the latest Acrobat Reader from Adobe at
http://www.adobe.com.
However, Acrobat Reader 8&9 is not available for all platforms. |
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A Note about Downloading Files:
It is always preferable to use the HTTP download method rather than
just clicking on a file link. All you need to do is right-click on a link (on
most computers) or click and hold on older Mac and choose the 'save as...'
option. Depending on your browser this will read: "Save Target As..." or "Save
Link As..." or "Save File As..." You can then save the file to your desktop or
other location for use instead of opening it directly into your browser. |
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Pictured above:
Isabela Piardi, Mariane Guidetti Andrietta, Gabriel Valim, Caio Henrique
Silva, Fábio Vieira e Luccas Fernandes |
| Paula's Portuguese team, "Super-Ação," used our
mat image to print a mat while they wait for the their field kit. They
said, "And about the mat again, last year we received our official
mat in 22/10/2012. And our tournament was in 08/11/2012. We had a big
rush to do all missions in only a few days! So, with [TechBrick's] help,
this year we can plan the missions, try different ways to do some
missions and we don't have to rush against time! =)" |
US FIRST RESOURCES: READ EVERYTHING AT THE
CHALLENGE PAGES. DON'T SKIP ONE DOCUMENT.Main FLL
Site: http://firstlegoleague.org
Challenge:
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2013naturesfury
BE SURE TO VISIT THIS PAGE FOR ALL RESOURCES TEAM RESOURCES:
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/teamresources
A MUST READ The
Challenge for 2013-14
Can FIRST® LEGO® League teams help us master natural disasters? In
the 2013 NATURE’S FURY(r) Challenge, over 200,000 children ages 9 to 16* from
over 70 countries will explore the awe-inspiring storms, quakes, waves and more
that we call natural disasters. Teams will discover what can be done when
intense natural events meet the places people live, work, and play. Brace
yourself for NATURE’S FURY! FLL challenges kids to think like scientists and
engineers. During NATURE’S FURY teams will build, test, and program an
autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS(r) to solve a set of missions in the
Robot Game. They will also choose and solve a realworld problem in the Project.
Throughout their experience, teams will operate under FLL’s signature set of
Core Values. Challenge Docs
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OFFICIAL FLL SCORING SHEETS FOR
2013-14
There are two score sheets: they both have identical
information, but one uses smaller font to allow for a picture of the field.
Aside from the picture, there are no differences between the two.
This
is essential for practice. Your teams need to know these sheets since they will
be asked to confirm the final score at the table by the table refs. Once they
agree, it's in the books. So help them get it right!
CHECK OUT THE NEW SCORING APPS PAGE |
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Practice
Scoring Sheet for Strategic Purposes
Note that on some forums people will indicate
higher scores, but those are strategic issues you’ll have to find on your own.
This sheet only scores what is plainly evident in the rules.
ALERT:
Same as last year the
400 Point Barrier Gone! As you'll see you can score up to 616 points (we think).
It is essential that you start early in your work to try timed and scored
runs. Even if you only have a few missions done you should still practice them.
You have 150 seconds to complete the missions and work towards the new max point standard.
Remember, these are not official scoring sheets so please always always
always check the game rulings at the FIRST LEGO League site.
ENGLISH (v1):
FLL-2013-NaturesFury-ScoringSheet-EN.pdf
DUTCH (v1):
FLL-2013-NaturesFury-ScoringSheet-NL.pdf
SPANISH (v1):
FLL-2013-NaturesFury-ScoringSheet-SP.pdf
CHINESE (v1):
FLL-2013-NaturesFury-ScoringSheet-CN.pdf
We will update the international versions shortly.
Please forward comments/suggestions to
marco@techbrick.com
CHECK OUT THE NEW SCORING APPS PAGE |
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NEW!
Season Planning Schedule:
From Week 0 to Your Tournament in 16 weeks and Beyond (to Mars). A great resource
from one of our mentors. Ginny To, the lead mentor of the FLL
ELECTROBOTS in Maryland (Delaware state champions in 2012-13) has prepared a
very useful schedule for FLL teams. I know this is in the handbook and other
places, but her presentation is concise.
DOWNLOADS
Right click and choose 'Save Target or Link As..." to save to your
local computer. |
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Element Images For Your Own Worksheets, Posters, and Clothing We
extracted the table element images from the PDFs in various formats.
- PNG files below contain a high and low res version.
- All graphics are RGB format and compatible with Word, PPT, and Web
applications.
- PNGs have a transparent background.
- You can also download a layered Photoshop files if you want to do advanced
graphic work.
- Some of the elements have been further broken down for fun.
NOTE: The naming is preliminary since we do not know what these are
officially called. When the challenge in released we will update these with the
real names. The main group is numbered 00. If the bag contains multiple unique
items they are number 01, 02, etc.
Send us back samples of your creative work and we may post them.
DOWNLOADS
- Element Files in Four Resolutions
- Layered Photoshop File with all elements for advanced work
Right click and choose 'Save Target or Link As..." to save to your
local computer. |
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Very High Resolution Version
of the Nature's Fury Looking for a really high resolutions
version of the logo? The hi-res version below is 4400 pixels wide. It can be resized
easily. The lo-res is 400 pixels wide. The PNGs have a completely
transparent background.
Nature's Fury Logo Lo-Res (400 px wide) Color
FLL2013-NaturesFury-400px.png
Nature's Fury Logo Hi-Res (4400 px wide) Color
FLL2013-NaturesFury-4400px.png
We've also included a zip file with source Photoshop (PSD)
and Illustrator
(AI) files.
FLL2013-NaturesFuryLogos-PhotoshopIllustrator.zip
* Contains a Photoshop, Illustrator, and EPS version.
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A Worksheet for the Challenge Elements
Use these to plan your missions and programming and make assignments during
assembly..
- In order of effort for assembly.
- Contains a small image of each of the elements.
- Shows the number of pages of instructions..
DOWNLOADS
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A Strategy Worksheet for the Challenge Pieces
NEW: Two VersionsWe will send this home with our team on our next meeting.
Their homework will be to read the challenge, write out
each task, and come with at least two ideas for each task. Use this in
conjunction with the table worksheet.
DOWNLOAD SHEET GROUPED BY ASSEMBLY BAGS
Right click and choose 'Save Target or
Link As..." to save to your local computer.
DOWNLOAD SHEET GROUPED BY SCORING
CHALLENGES
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GROUPED BY ASSEMBLY
GROUPED BY CHALLENGES |
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Worksheet for the "Nature's
Fury" Challenge Table
Use these to plan your missions and programming.
- Scaled 1" to 1' or Metric
- Versions in US Letter or UK/EU A4 paper.
- PDF full color image
- Images are sharp
MAT ONLY
DOWNLOADS
Right click and choose 'Save Target or Link As..." to save to your local
computer.
MAT WITH ELEMENTS
DOWNLOADS
Right click and choose 'Save Target or Link As..." to save to your local
computer.
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11x17 Field Worksheet
for Strategy
This is a press-ready PDF in 11 x 17 intended for use as a planning
tool with dry markers. Have it output at a vendor like Kinkos. Have mounted and
gloss laminated. You can then use dry markers to try different ideas for
missions.NOTE: When you go to Fedex/Kinkos or a similar vendor you should
specify:
- Print 11x17 no bleeds (no color off the edge)
- Print at 100% (not fit to margins or page)
- Mount on foamcore or a similar stiff material.
- Gloss laminate.
This should cost between $9-12 per board (USD)
DOWNLOADS
Right click and choose 'Save Target or Link As..." to save to your local
computer.
Visit the Scoring and Apps Page
to see FLL Nature's Fury Mission Planner by Litedroid Studios for Android which
is a digital version of this tool. |
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Step-By-Step Programming Worksheet
A simple worksheet for mission/programming sequences. Right click and choose 'Save Target or Link As..." to save to your local
computer.
DOWNLOAD
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Nature's Fury Mat Art
NOTE: This was scanned so there may be some minor deviations in
alignment.
DOWNLOAD MAT ONLY
NOTE: This was scanned so there may be some minor deviations in
alignment. On 9/9/2013 a minor edit was made to the area by the river obstacle.
DOWNLOAD MAT WITH ELEMENTS Note
that our version is properly proportioned. The original version from US FIRST
was squashed horizontally.
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Awesome Lego parts that can win you an FLL tournament
This will be updated after the challenge is
released.
Over the years there have been thousand of parts made by LEGO. You can find them
at BrickLink and many can give you a competitive advantage. Jonathan has
compiled some of the more interesting parts. There are thousands more. Happy
searching!
Angela W from the Netherlands Asked:
"We saw the info about the parts made by LEGO. We looked at the link for the
Lego parts and it is indeed a perfect link but for teams in the Netherlands it
is hard to get parts. In the Netherlands there are no shops were you can get
single items only boxes with total cars etc. BRICKSHOP Holland stores have none
of the items and we don't know where we can go now. Can you help us?"
Answer: You can buy these parts directly from BrickLink sellers. Most ship
internationally. All you need is a free bricklink account
https://www.bricklink.com/regCountry.asp?a=WN and a PayPal Account (also
free http://www.paypal.com.
We have ordered parts from Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, etc. In fact
many of the parts on BrickLink are not available from LEGO which is why it is
fascinating. According to FLL rules you can use any official LEGO item every
manufactured! |
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Community Service
US FIRST encourages teams to get involved in the community. TechBrick has
will be working with a new national STEM initiative.
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 TechBrick is assisting a new national STEM initiative as part of our public
service work. Click here
to learn more about this exciting program.
TechBrick
has been involved in advising a new national
STEM curriculum offering. This is a hugely
exciting program. Please read below and visit
the LGBG website to learn more. If you attend
or have a Boys & Girls Club or YMCA in your town
that would like to introduce a successful STEM
program Dr. Corky Graham would like to
talk to you.
Find a school or organization near you and
get involved.
Click here
to learn more about this exciting program.
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What is a Team Info Sheet?
Terry Stevens asked: "The Coaches Manual refers to a Team
Introduction Page to be used at the tournaments. I have searched
high and low but can't find it. Do you guys have one ? Thanks,
Terry"
Some tournaments provide a form. However, in general, the team
info sheet is a simple document that reminds the judges of
the following:
- Team name
- Location/Town
- Team members (include names and a photo)
- Your robot (for technical interview)
- Your project (for research presentation)
- Your team (for the teamwork interview)
As you can see, there can be up to three of these (Tech,
Teamwork, and Presentation).
We've included some samples of our previous team info sheets.
Some are form-based, others of our own design.
Remember, in most tournaments the judges may see 10-20 teams. A
good info sheet provides a reminder for them when it gets down to
final scoring.
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Some sample sheets from the past few years.
Right click and choose 'Save Target or Link As..."
to save to your local computer.
Bottom Line:
Be concise, be creative, be clear. Make sure you have
good photos.
From the Ohio Open
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Cool LEGO Ruler
With Stud Counters for 2013-14
You can download
a press ready PDF of the cool TechBrick ruler we've been
giving out at tournaments.The ruler features:
- English and metric scales.
- LEGO stud counter.
Read these special instructions first:
- You must print this on US Legal Paper
(8.5 * 14 inches US)
- Print it on card stock for best results.
- Trim carefully at crop marks.
- Make SURE that Acrobat is set to print at 100% and
NOT fit to page or margins.
- This file can be used for commercial CMYK (4 color)
printing or printing on home or office color printers.
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BE SURE TO
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LEFT FOR PROPER PRINTING OF
THIS RULER. Right
click on the link below and choose "Save Target As..." to
download the ruler PDF.
TechBrickRules2013FLL.pdf |
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Mission Path Robot
Speed Spreadsheet
 In
2009 our 'Senior Team’ (FLL Team
1), which includes our older FLL
students and some younger ones in their
5th year of FLL, is took a different
approach.
We are teaching them to do true product
development by describing the challenge
in detail BEFORE they pick up one brick.
One of the tasks as do a real
calculation of the speed the robot must
achieve to make it through all the
missions. So Nathan W developed this
spread sheet to make sure the robot can
complete the missions.
We've left some sample data in the sheet
so you can see how it works.
Begin by measuring the distance your
robot must travel to complete all its
missions.
Then enter any stop times (in seconds)
that represent the time you take to do a
particular task.
What you have left is the time your
robot can drive. Divide into distance
and you your IPS/CPS measurement.
We will leave the calculations of IPS/CPS
to you and of course the test of whether
your robot can maneuver at that speed.DOWNLOAD
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Mundane and Boring Subjects that will Change Your Digital Life
This a series one page articles that summarize all the key points of
critical communications issues. The topics in red below will be of particular
interest to mentors and teams. But you should still read the all them.
FIVE IMPORTANT BUSINESS PRINCIPLES 3
FILE NAMING SO YOU CAN FIND YOUR WORK 4
FOLDER NAMING AND VERSIONING 5
A MOST EXCELLENT TIP FOR OUTLOOK PART 1 6
E-COMMERCE IS HARD: No Magic Bullets 7
FORMAT YOUR EMAIL IN A SENSIBLE MANNER 8
DON’T SEND TO, CC OR BCC WHEN YOU SHOULD SEND PERSONALLY 9
NITTY GRITTY OF WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT 10
WHAT IS A CORPORATE ID? 11
DESIGNING A LOGO 12
THE SIX BASIC WORD FUNCTIONS TO KNOW 13
GOOD TYPE MAKES A DIFFERENCE. REALLY. 14
CAN YOU WEATHER :) CLOUD COMPUTING? 15
FROM 36 EXPOSURES TO 3600: HOW TO SORT DIGITAL PHOTOS 16
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS FLOW CHART 17
PRIMER ON THE REASON FOR REQUIREMENTS 18
UNABASHED SELF PROMOTION 19
This document will be updated in the next with a number of new, useful
articles so be sure to subscribe to our NL.
Click Here To Subscribe.
DOWNLOAD
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Back to top |
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 TechBrick
Robotics
Forest Hill, MD USA
http://www.techbrick.com |
Contact Marco Ciavolino
info@techbrick.com
410.838.8264
©2020 Techbrick.com
Copyright Notice |
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FIRST®, FIRST® Tech
Challenge, FTC®, FIRST® LEGO League, FLL®, Junior FIRST® LEGO® League,
and JrFLL®, are jointly held
trademarks of FIRST® (www.usfirst.org) and The LEGO Group, neither of which is
overseeing, involved with, or responsible for this activity, product, or
service.
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