NYCFIRST Update #3: A few Weeks Left to Register

NYCFIRST Update #3: A few Weeks Left to Register

Aug. 27, 2008

A newsletter for the NYCFIRST robotics community in New York City and the surrounding area.

If you have any issues about ordering, registering, organizing, the meaning of life - don't hesitate to call or email.


To register, go to http://register4fll.com/.


ALL UPDATES POSTED AT
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/

List of registered teams:
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/2008/08/list-of-registered-teams-2008.html

Please check your names and send me updated info.
I did not include payment info this time. If you want me to check your status send me an email.

The NYC/NJ FIRST web site is at http://nycnjfirst.org/


Climate Connections Field Set up is shipping –

Embark on an exploration of the earth's climate in the FIRST LEGO League's 2008 Climate Connections Challenge! Discover the links between science, people, resources and communities. Unearth how we learn about past climates and delve into questions surrounding our current and future climatic conditions. Join FIRST LEGO League teams in creating a global game plan as they make these Climate Connections!

Whether the climate be cold, or whether the climate be hot
The climate is different all over
What is it like in your spot?
In Climate Connections
Solutions and questions - of many dimensions
Wait for FLL teams and robots!

I already got mine and am sorting and building away.

The full Climate Connections Challenge will be released on September 5, 2008!


Learn more about FLL here:
http://www.usfirst.org/what/fll/default.aspx?id=390


Registration in NYC as of Aug. 26
120 teams and counting.

See complete list at end of this Update.

If you think you registered but are not on the list, you probably did not compete the entire process.
Go through checkout even if you are not paying now.
For payment, choose either "pay by check" or "PO". Write TBD where it asks for a number.

WARNING: Inside word is there may be a shortage of Field Set-Up Kits. Registration will close when they are all gone.

Payment: Check, credit card, or PO (can cause delays.)

You can register and pay later but nothing will be shipped until you do.


If you cannot find the info contact LEGO's Bob Woods:
BOB WOODS
LEGO EDUCATION
516-867-9508
bobwlego@aol.com
www.LegoEducation.COM
rwoods@legoeducation.com

Costs
Registration: $200
FSK: $65 – you MUST check this box. Schools/orgs with multiple teams do not need to order more than one FSK.
Shipping: varies

You can also order one robotic kit and accessories when you register.

I was asked this question:
I noticed the Lego robot kit you can order as part of FLL registration is $365, which is a lot more than the basic kits you can order on the lego website. Do know if the FLL kits are something special, or is it just a price that includes software plus extra $$$ for FIRST? Either way, $365 is way high--base kit on Lego ed site is only $260 and has the same electrical inventory.

I received this response:
The FLL Robot Set is made up of two major parts, the MINDSTORMS for Schools (http://www.legoeducation.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1263&c=0&t=0&l=0) which is $260, and the Technology Resource Set, as well as extra parts commonly used in FLL that can be purchased separately. Regular price for the FLL Robot Set is more than $600, so the FLL price is a huge discount and nothing extra is included for FIRST. They are bundled together so that teams receive everything they need "out of the box" at the start of the season to build attachments and participate in FLL. Teams can certainly purchase these separate elements and participate in FLL, but they would spend more if they chose to duplicate all the parts of the set.


Important dates

Climate Connections Challenge will be released on September 5, 2008

Bronx FLL Kickoff Event - Sat. Sept 13th (PS. 194)

Polytech FLL Kickoff Event - Sat. Sept 20th

FLL Trainings - October 11th, 18th, 25th (TENTATIVE)



List of Registered teams- Total 120
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/2008/08/list-of-registered-teams-2008.html

Brooklyn: 48
Manhattan: 14
Queens: 13
Bronx: 21
Staten Island: 24


Team # InstitutionName Coach Zip

Bronx
1215 P.S. 139Q Yvonne Shortt 11374
1720D nycfirst Dummy Norm Scott
0109 PS/IS 123 X Chris GoodingKelleyann Royce 10472
0210 CS 66 X Christopher Blades/James Bellon 10460
0523 PS/MS 194 Cynthia Khadaran 10462
0584 Pablo Casals MS 181x Terry Buchalter/Constantine Kouvatsos 10475
0853 PS 121 X Kathy Bormann/Maria Scher 10469
0895 Bronx Latin MS Eddie Branchaud 10456
0901 MS 101X Maritime Academy Michele Sikoryak/Punit Gandhi 10465
1172 MS 302 X Sharon Shoatz 10455
1502$ CS 102X Neysa Lewis$/Frank RiveraTanyua TrezevantteOsei Owusu-Afriyie 10460
1636 ESMT IS 190 X Maribeth Whitehouse 10460
1739 Kezner Academy @IS 192 X Nicole Havel$ Donna Kinford 10465
1741$ Academy of Public Relations @298 Amy Andino 10456
1943 PS 107x Adel Assal 10473
2266 PS 76X The Bennington School Russell Heath 10469
2544 Globe School for Environmental Research Michael JoycePaul RiterPaul CassidyBarbara Hartnett 10467
2545 Globe School for Environmental Research Michael JoycePaul RiterPaul CassidyBarbara Hartnett 10467
2656 IS 98 X Herman Ridder Harold Smith 10460
3494 The Urban Institute of Mathematics Ryan McCabe 10465
3553 PS 106 x Philip Hamlin 10462
3667 MS 118 X Ralph Corvino 10457
4345$ Phipps@PS 112 After school program Matthew Miller 10466

Brooklyn
0490 St. Edmund Elementary School Christine Zaremba 11229
0639 Automotive HS Bruce RajswasserDan Luna, Michael Danza 11222
1462 PS 372 K Rita FasanoVicki HollandHaiva Albuliwi 11215
1463 PS 372 K Rita FasanoVicki HollandHaiva Albuliwi 11215
1774 Packer Collegiate Inst. Maureen Reilly 11201
1775 Packer Collegiate Inst. Maureen Reilly 11201
1824 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Stacy Solomon
1825 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Cynthia McGinty
1827 PS 193 The Gil Hodges School Carol Geier
1925 IS 318 Russ HolsteinEric Windley 11234
1926 IS 318 Russ HolsteinEric Windley 11234
1958 MS 113 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center Jeffrey Stephens-Prince 11217
1978 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith WynneRoger Levy 11231
1979 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith WynneRoger Levy 11231
1980 PS 58 The Carroll School Keith WynneRoger Levy 11231
2019 PS 257k Javier ReyesEdwin HernandezEva Spelbrink 11206
2101$ PS 133 William Butler Elementary Judith Hudson 11217
2262 PS 8 K Brandeis HayesTracey Pozluszny 11201
2263 PS 8 K Brandeis HayesTracey Pozluszny 11201
2393 PS 11K Rasheda LyonsVlad Kop 11238
2490 Sunset Park Prep MS 821K Franky GutierrezMichael Barry 11232
2616 Brooklyn Tech HS Gordon Williams 11217
2707 PS 21K Crispus Attucks School Carla Arnold 11233
3006 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin
3008 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3009 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3010 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3011 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3013 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3014 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3015 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3016 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3017 Friends Crown Heights @ PS 221 Greg Dublin 11213
3076 Benjamin Banneker Academy K Imani Fischer 11205
3077 IS 383 KPhilippa Schuyler MS Lindrick OuterbridgeWilliam Hamlet 11237
3161 Bedford Academy Cluny Lavache 11216
3447$ PS 636 K Young Scholars Academy for Discovery and Danika LaCroix 11206
3563$ PS 636 K Young Scholars Academy for Discovery and Danika LaCroix 11206
3575$ PS 233K Langston Hughes Dawne Jokinsky 11236
3738 PS 261K Jennifer Lindauer-ThompsonChris PeyserScott Howard 11201
3951$ PS 399 K Sharon Holiday 11226
3951$ Stanley Eugene Clarke PS 399 K Sharon Holiday 11226
3958 MS 267K Owen Daniel 11221
3991$ MS 88 K Andy Singh, 11215
3992$ MS 88 K Andy Singh, 11215
3993$ MS 88 K Andy Singh, 11215
3994$ MS 88 K Andy Singh, 11215
4429$ PS 81 K Everbell BishopDiane Moore 11221

Manhattan
0363$ Tom Hershner
0425$ Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and EngineeringThe School At Columbia U Andrew Stillman 10027
0984 MS 44 William O Shea Complex Elvetta Harris 10024
1355$ PS 189M Theresa Luger 10040
1730 Trevor Day School Steven Schechter 10128
1896$ Friend Seminary Timothy Cooper 10003
1905$ Manhattan School for Children Andre Martell$ 10025
1907 Manhattan School for Children Tatiana Hoover 10025
1910$ MS 328 M Beth Pollak 10032
2133$ MS 324 Patria Mirabal Benjamin Leviago 10032
3574 MS 319M Markus Baloun 10032
3875$ Manhattan Youth @IS 289 M Stephen HusiakTheseus Roche 10007
4452$ Vision Education & Media Laura Allen/Corbett Beder 10010
5224$ NY Presbeterian Church Myraslava Znayenko 10027

Queens
0232 MS 67Q Ruta Dave 11362
0260 Brics-2-Bots Veryl Greene 11432
0275 Cambria Center Sheryl LilesSheree Palmer 11411
0778 MS 216Q George Ryan Peter Xanthus 11365
0997$ Forest Hills Team Iffat Mai 11375
1315 IS 230 Q Sonya RencherCraig Grelarowski 11372
1836 IS 119 Q Chris DudinJoan Weber 11385
2491 RMS @ I. S. 192 Eric Greene 11412
2492 RMS @ I. S. 192 Eric Greene 11412
2994 Baccalaureate School For Global Education Melissa Hinson 11106
4764 Resurrection Ascension Janna Valente 11374

Staten Island
0199 IS 24 SI Raymond CottrellJane Frangos 10308
0202 IS 24 SI Raymond CottrellJane Frangos 10308
0206 IS 24 SI Raymond CottrellJane Frangos 10308
0208 IS 24 SI Raymond CottrellJane Frangos 10308
1335 IS 27 SI Bryan Kilgallen 10310
1336 IS 27 SI Bryan Kilgallen 10310
1337 IS 27 SI Prall Bryan Kilgallen 10310
1341 Coen Patrick Coen 10310
1667 IS 34 SI Joseph BuroAnn Verderber, 10307
1673 IS 34 SI Joseph BuroAnn Verderber, 10307
1674 IS 34 SI Joseph BuroAnn Verderber, 10307
1782 St. Clare School Mary Lee 10308
1783 St. Clare School Mary Lee 10308
1784 St. Clare School Mary Lee 10308
1785 St. Clare School Mary Lee 10308
1954 IS 75 SI Donny SwansonAndrew GrandnerDenise Carsten 10312
1955 IS 75 SI Donny SwansonAndrew GrandnerDenise Carsten 10312
1956 IS 75 SI Donny SwansonAndrew GrandnerDenise Carsten 10312
2179 IS 72 SI Randi Huss 10314
2180 IS 72 SI Randi Huss 10314
2181 IS 72 SI Randi Huss 10314
2380 Staten Island Tech HS Mike Siegal 10306
2386 Staten Island Tech HS Mike Siegal 10306
2708 PS 57 SI Patricia Lockhart 10304

Compiled by Norm Scott
NYCFIRST Registration coordinator
norscot@aol.com
normsco@gmail.com
917-992-3734

--
Have a good day

Norm

New Teacher FLL blog

Hi,

I am starting a new blog to document my LEGO Teaching this year. I will be focusing on the coaching of my FLL teams, teaching after school LEGO Robotics, and on integrating LEGO experiences into my classroom.

Here is the link:
http://legoteacher.blogspot.com/

I have two posts up so far and will post a few more this week - I will most likely go to 1 - 2 posts a week when school begins after Labor Day.

- Maureen

LEGO Education on FAMIS System in NYC

Dear Valued New York City FLL Customer,


Thank you for your interest in FIRST LEGO® League and your support as a customer. We hope that you
are greatly anticipating the upcoming FIRST LEGO League season.

Because of some challenges associated with the FLL registration process and the New York City FAMIS
system, the FLL products were removed from FAMIS. Unfortunately, this created additional challenges
for New York City FLL teams. In order to provide superior customer service and easier access, LEGO®
Education North America has added the FLL products back to the FAMIS system.

In order for the FLL registration and FAMIS ordering process to work properly, FLL teams must register
with US FIRST at www.register4fll.com prior to placing an order on FAMIS. The FLL Team number
must be included on the FAMIS order to ensure timely processing and shipping. Orders without the
proper registration or team numbers will be delayed.

We hope this does not cause you any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please call
toll free at 1-800-362-4308.

Sincerely,



Gale Hurt
Customer Service Manager
LEGO® Education North America

NYCFIRST Update #2: Climate Connections 8/1/08

NYCFIRST Update #2: Climate Connections

Aug. 1, 2008

I hope all are enjoying the summer.

A newsletter for the NYCFIRST robotics community in New York City and the surrounding area.


ALL UPDATES POSTED AT
http://normsrobotics.blogspot.com/


NOTE: There are some problems with the blog and I cannot add new content at this point and might have to move it to a new site. However, at this time the blog can still be accessed. Look for important info on the sidebar.

The NYC/NJ FIRST web site is at http://nycnjfirst.org/

Learn more about FLL here:
http://www.usfirst.org/what/fll/default.aspx?id=390

Climate Connections
The new game, Climate Connections, has been released and can be found here: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=70.

Building a Global Game Plan

Whether the climate be cold, or whether the climate be hot
The climate is different all over
What is it like in your spot?
In Climate Connections
Solutions and questions - of many dimensions
Wait for FLL teams and robots!

As of July 24, 2008, there are 3,225 registered teams in the U.S. and Canada.



Registration in NYC
91 teams and counting.

See complete list at end of this Update.

If you think you registered but are not on the list, you probably did not compete the entire process.
Go through checkout even if you are not paying now.
For payment, choose either "pay by check" or "PO". Write TBD where it asks for a number.

WARNING: Inside word is there may be a shortage of Field Set-Up Kits
FIRST reports they are running 20% ahead of last year and may have to close registration early.

Costs
Registration: $200
FSK: $65 – again, you MUST check this box. Schools/orgs with multiple teams do not need to order more than one FSK.
Shipping: varies

You can also order one robotic kit and accessories when you register.

Payment: Check, credit card, or PO (can cause delays.)

You can register and pay later but nothing will be shipped until you do.

DId you pay? when you check the list at the end of the email,look for a Y or N.
Sorry, columns do not line up.

For NYC schools, contract is in flux

The team ordering info for FLL teams through NYC DOE that I sent you in June has now been removed from the FAMIS-E catalog.

Veryl Greene found out why:

"I talked to Bob Woods and this is what happened...

The DOE removed the payments for registration & field kits from FAMIS-E for the FLL, because they said the price went up & they don't want to pay it. However, the NXT kit can still be ordered through FAMIS-E. Schools will have to pay for registration & field kits through some other means."

As for the FTC (which they will also think is too expensive) schools have to come up with their own funds & pay directly to FIRST (FTC).

Here is what it was before:

Item #: 800055470
Description: FLL team registration 2008 - #990305 Cost: $216.00

Item #: 800055489
Description: FLL 2008 Field Set Up Kit - #991217 Cost: 72.00

Item #: 800055497 FLL Robot Set 2008 - #979792 Cost: 394.20 (includes software)
If the DOE changes this info AGAIN, folks should contact:

If you cannot find the info contact LEGO's Bob Woods:
BOB WOODS
LEGO EDUCATION
516-867-9508
bobwlego@aol.com
www.LegoEducation.COM
rwoods@legoeducation.com


Important dates

Kickoffs to review the Climate Connections

Bronx FLL Kickoff Event - Sat. Sept 13th (PS. 194)

Polytech FLL Kickoff Event - Sat. Sept 20th

TENTATIVE - FLL Trainings - October 11th, 18th, 25th (TENTATIVE)


Practice tournaments
We are working on a series of practice tournaments in all boroughs from late October through early December.
Tentative locations: Wagner College (SI), Packard (K), PS 194 (Bx), Polytechnic (K).

We are looking for people to host paractice events in Queens and Manhattan either after school or on a weekend.
Also, if you are in one of the other boroughs and want to host a practice, contact me. The event can be small.

Borough Qualifiers

Staten Island, Sat. 12/13

Bronx, Sat.12/20

Bklyn, Sat. 12/20 (tentative)

Manhattan, Sat. Jan 11th @ CCNY

Queens, Sat. Jan 10th or Sun. 11th (Tentative)

NYC FIRST LEGO League Citywide Championship

Sat, Jan 31, 2009 - Riverbank State Park


An exhibition at the Javits Convention center early in March

Job Opportunity
I'm moving out of NY (to Tacoma, WA) this summer. For the past year I have been teaching LEGO Robotics at an organization called Hofstra STEP. I am trying to help them find a replacement for me. They are a great organization with excellent resources, rooms, technology, and staff. The pay is at least $40 an hour - negotiable upwards for experienced instructors.

If you know anybody out this way (Queens/Long Island) who may be interested, please have them contact me at 347 217-3503 or via e-mail (ianchowmiller@gmail.com).

Thanks,
Ian


Social Note from Stephen Shapinsky
former robotics guru in Region 4, now residing in Las Vegas and coaching a 4th grade FLL team.

Dear Friends,
We wanted to share the news with you:
Our daughter, Ingrid Sofia Shapinsky, joined us on planet Earth this week.

Here are photos: http://tinyurl.com/6774lt

Stephen, Kirsten, and Ingrid


List of Registered teams- Total 91
List posted at
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pgxRf3gM4qtwhBLl7lwdSaA

Brooklyn: 26
Manhattan: 10
Queens: 10
Bronx: 18
Staten Island: 24
(I know the numbers don't add up- 1 team is mine and 2 others did not enter enough info)
New schools/Org: 14

DId you pay? Look for a Y or N in the next to last column.
Sorry, columns do not line up.

Team # InstitutionName CoachFirstName CoachLastName paid Borough
109 IS 123 James M. Kieran Middle School Virginia Connelly Y Bx
199 Myra S. Barnes - IS 24 Raymond Cottrell Y SI
202 Myra S. Barnes - IS 24 Raymond Cottrell Y SI
206 Myra S. Barnes - IS 24 Raymond Cottrell Y SI
208 Myra S. Barnes - IS 24 Raymond Cottrell Y SI
210 CS 66 Chris Blades Y Bx
232 Louis Pasteur Middle school Ruta Dave Y Q
260 Brics~2~Bots - Private team Veryl Greene Y Q
275 Cambria Center for the Gifted Child sheryl liles Y Q
363 Tom Hershner Y Unknown
425 Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and Engineering Andrew Stillman Y M
490 St. Edmund Elementary School christine zaremba Y K
523 PS/MS 194 Cynthia Khadaran Y Bx
584 Pablo Casals MS181 Terry Buchalter Y Bx
639 Automotive Robotics Bruce Rajswasser Y K
778 George J Ryan MS 216 Peter Xanthus N Q
853 P.S. 121 X Katherine Bormann N Bx
895 Bronx Latin Middle School Edward Branchaud N Bx
901 MS 101 X Michele Sikoryak Y Bx
984 MS 44-William J. O'Shea Complex Elvetta Harris Y M
997 Forest Hills Team Iffat Mai Y Q
1172 MS302X Sharon Shoatz Y Bx
1215 P.S. 139Q Yvonne Shortt Y Q
1315 Intermediate School 230 Sonya Rencher N Q
1335 Prall Intermediate School - IS 27 Bryan Kilgallon IS 27 Y SI
1336 Prall Intermediate School - IS 27 Bryan Kilgallon IS 27 Y SI
1337 Prall Intermediate School - IS 27 Bryan Kilgallon IS 27 Y SI
1341 Coen (home) Patrick Coen Y SI
1355 PS 189M THERESA LUGER N M
1462 PS 372 Victoria Holland Y K
1463 PS 372 Victoria Holland Y K
1502 CS 102 X Neysa Lewis Y Bx
1667 Totten Intermediate School - I.S. 34 Joseph Buro Y SI
1673 Totten Intermediate School - I.S. 34 Joseph Buro Y SI
1674 Totten Intermediate School - I.S. 34 Joseph Buro Y SI
1720 Norm NYCFIRST N NYC FIRST
1730 Trevor Day School Steven Schechter Y M
1739 kezner academy @IS 192 Nicole Havel Y Bx
1774 Packer Collegiate Institute Maureen Reilly Y K
1775 Packer Collegiate Institute Maureen Reilly Y K
1782 St. Clare's Elementary School Mary Lee Y SI
1783 St. Clare's Elementary School Mary Lee Y SI
1784 St. Clare's Elementary School Mary Lee Y SI
1785 St. Clare's Elementary School Mary Lee Y SI
1824 P.S. 193 The Gil Hodges School Stacy Solomon Y K
1826 P.S.193 The Gil Hodges School Cynthia McGinty Y K
1827 P.S.193-The Gil Hodges School Carol Geier Y K
1836 Glendale Intermediate School 119Q Christopher Dudin N Q
1905 Manhattan School for Children Andre Martell Y M
1907 Manhattan School for Children Tatiana Hoover Y M
1910 Middle School 328 Beth Pollak N M
1925 Eugenio Maria DeHostos I.S. 318 Russ Holstein N K
1926 Eugenio Maria DeHostos I.S. 318 Russ Holstein N K
1943 Public School 107X Adel Assal N Bx
1954 Intermediate School 75 Donny Swanson Y SI
1955 Intermediate School 75 Donny Swanson Y SI
1956 Intermediate School 75 Donny Swanson Y SI
1958 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center Jeffrey Stephens-Prince N K
1978 P.S. 58 The Carroll School Keith Wynne N K
1979 P.S. 58 The Carroll School keith Wynne N K
1980 P.S. 58 The Carroll School keith Wynne N K
2019 PS 257 Melvin Martinez N K
2101 William Butler Elementary PS 133K Judith Hudson N K
2133 MS 324 Patria Mirabal Benjamin Leviago N M
2179 Police Officer Rocco Laurie IS 72 Randi Huss Y SI
2180 Police Officer Rocco Laurie IS 72 Randi Huss Y SI
2181 Police Officer Rocco Laurie IS 72 Randi Huss Y SI
2262 PS 8 Brandie Hayes Y K
2263 PS 8 Brandie Hayes Y K
2266 PS 76 The Bennington School russell heath N Bx
2380 Staten Island Technical H.S. Michael Siegel N SI
2386 Staten Island Technical H.S. Michael Siegel N SI
2393 PS 11 Purvis J Behan School Rasheda Lyons N K
2490 Sunset Park Prep Franky Gutierrez N K
2491 Renaisance Middle School Eric Greene N Q
2492 Renaissance Middle School Eric Greene N Q
2544 GLOBE School for Environmental Research Paul Riter Y Bx
2545 GLOBE School for Environmental Research Paul Riter Y Bx
2616 Brooklyn Technical High School Gordon Williams Y K
2656 Herman Ridder Intermediate School 98 Harold Smith Y Bx
2707 Crispus Attucks School carla arnold Y K
2708 PS 57 Patricia Lockhart Y SI
2994 BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL Melissa Hinson N Q
3006 Unkown Greg Dublin N Unknown
3077 I.S. 383K Lindrick Outerbridge Y K
3161 Bedford Academy High School George Leonard N K
3494 The Urban Institute of Mathematics Ryan McCabe Y Bx
3553 PS 106 Bx Phil Hamlin Y Bx
3574 MS 319 M Markus Baloun N M
3667 MS 118 Bx ralph corvino N Bx
3738 PS 261 Marci Rosa N K


Compiled by Norm Scott
NYCFIRST Registration coordinator
norscot@aol.com
normsco@gmail.com
917-992-3734



--
Have a good day

Norm