2013 Nature's Fury Challenge

Prepare. Stay Safe. Rebuild

Welcome to the Season Video
Can't access YouTube? Download the video.

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Can FIRST® LEGO® League teams help us master natural disasters?  In the 2013 NATURE’S FURY℠ 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® 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.
- See more at: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2013naturesfury#sthash.IB4A8C9D...

Can FIRST® LEGO® League teams help us master natural disasters?  In the 2013 NATURE’S FURY℠ 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!
*9­-14 in the US, Canada, and Mexico

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The FLL Challenge has 3 parts - the Robot Game, the Project, and the Core Values.

Robot Game and Project
  Download Challenge 
Includes: Project, Robot Game (Field Setup, Missions, Rules)

Core Values
Learn about the FLL Core Values

Supplemental Materials

• Project
• Project Video (YouTube version)- Project Manager, Jinnel Choiniere, reviews the NATURE'S FURY Project. Can't access YouTube? Download the video.
• Project FAQs - This page is the first place to go for answers to Project questions if you’ve already read the Challenge document.  You should also visit here often for answers to questions you never even thought of, because the postings here contain official information that will be in effect at tournaments.
•   Topic Guide  
• Robot Game
• Robot Game Video (YouTube version)- Robot Game designer and Engineer, Scott Evans, describes the NATURE'S FURY Robot Game. Always refer to the written mission/rules for any questions. Can't access YouTube? Download the video.
• Robot Game Updates - The first place to go for answers to Robot Game questions if you’ve already read the Challenge document.  Visit here often for answers to questions you never even thought of, because the postings here contain official information that will be in effect at tournaments.
• Mission Model Build Instructions
• Robot Game Scoring Sheet - to practice table runs (coming soon)
• Field Mat Overhead View (.tif) Field Mat Overhead View (.jpg)
  
• Build the FLL Table
• Judging
• Rubrics & Awards
• Judging FAQs
• General 
• Interviews with the Challenge Advisory Team - the topic experts who helped develop the Challenge. Can't access YouTube? Download the video.

Need Help?

• fllteams@usfirst.org - General FLL questions
• fllrobotgame@usfirst.org - Robot Game specific questions.
• fllprojects@usfirst.org - Project specific questions.
• flljudge@usfirst.org - Judging and Awards specific questions.

     

- See more at: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2013naturesfury#sthash.sSYOyCR9.dpuf

Gary Isreal, 2TrainRobotics Coach, Receives State Farm Pitch-In Award

2TrainRobotics Coach Receives State Farm Pitch-In Award

For the past 12 years, the NY Yankees have honored the Morris High School FIRST Robotics team at Yankee Stadium during a pre-game ceremony. This year was a bit different. This year the Yankees informed Morris HS coach/coordinator Gary Israel he would receive the State Farm Pitch-In Award honor, “for [his] support/commitment to make a difference in the lives of local youth.”

After a career in retail and business, Mr. Israel began teaching virtual business classes at Morris. In 1999, Morris High School was offered a grant by FIRST for a robotics team. Despite initial apprehension about not having a science background, he was assured that his leadership and marketing skills qualified him to be the coach, “they said you’ll be able to get engineering help.”

And so things were put into action. Promoting a team was very important to Mr. Israel. He noticed that Morris HS had very few teams so the idea of a robotics team appealed to him. Gary encouraged the students to promote their team. He said, “we were able to use phones in our office to reach out to potential sponsors”. Reuben A. Bridges, an original student and mentor with the team, “joined FIRST as a way to promote FIRST, so it worked out both ways from a class to the team”. He said how Gary, “let us express our ideas to work as a team.”

Mr. Israel recalled that in their first year there was pressure for the team to join up

2TrainRobotics at Maker Pavilion

with another school. He asserted, “I think it was important to stay independent. Morris is in one of the poorest districts in the US.  These kids have beaten a lot of obstacles and they have earned their pride.”

The team was able to “get the engineering” and secure a partnership with Columbia University, what he refers to as “the icing on the cake” for educating students. It was there he recruited fellow mentor, Bob Stark from Columbia, to help with the technical side of the team. Bob started working with him that first year, commenting, “having the Columbia students mentor Morris’ students has been a great asset.”

As a result, the Morris students travel over an hour each way to Columbia’s lab on 116th & Broadway.  The FRC Team 395 dubbed the name “2 TrainRobotics” in honor of their commute to the campus.  Mr. Israel explained how this presents a challenge, but also an important lesson. “It’s a big challenge because it’s an additional effort for them to travel.”

There are concerns about safety or just getting over being out of the Bronx. Mr. Bridges points out “a lot of the students who joined the team never left the Bronx. That’s pretty much what they know.”  He defined the importance of travelling as “exposing the students to what’s out there and exposing the world to the school–that we have students with just as much knowledge and spirit.”

2Train Robotics being honored at Yankee Stadium

And the students have done just that. Their first year they journeyed to NJ, as NYC FIRST did not host competitions then.  As the team grew in experience, they have travelled to Baltimore, Washington DC, Texas, Georgia, and Florida with an impressive record.  Some of the team’s accolades include the Chairman’s Award (2004), General Motors Industrial Design Award” (2008), Creativity Award sponsored by Xerox (2011), the Woody Flowers Award (2011) and several regional winner awards.  A simple Google search results in articles, interviews on YouTube, and even references in books (Classroom Robotics and The New Cool) about this remarkable team and mentors.

One award that particularly means very much is the pre-game honor at Yankee stadium,  which is one of the team’s sponsors. This has transformed into an annual tradition. Mr. Israel says, “going out on the field is more important, that kind of recognition instills pride in these kids”. Mr. Stark observes that “these kids, getting to experience the idea that a big organization like the Yankees is paying attention to their achievements, is a big moment. When you look behind your shoulder you see the 2Train team on the screen and it’s like ‘Wow!’”

As to being recognized, Mr. Israel is incredibly humbled and his preference for being with his team is clearly evident. He attributes much of the team’s success to his students and fellow mentors.  “I’ve gotten so much from being part of FIRST and being with the students. That is enough recognition for me.”

 

-Vinessa DiCarlo, FIRST Volunteer

FIRST LEGO League Registration opens at noon roday!

FIRST registration opens today at noon EDT for Nature's Fury, the 2013-14 FIRST LEGO League season. Registering a team early means your field kit will ship in August. Having teams register before the end of the school year also helps us with planning and forecasting for the season ahead.

You can register a team here:

https://gofll.usfirst.org/

The FLL Nature's Fury robot game challenge and project challenge will be released August 27, 2013.  

FLL 2013 Award Winners at Javits, March 9, 2013

80 FLL Teams Going to Javits CityWide Event March 9, 2013

519	Dragonbotz	Ms. Veryl Greene	Brics-2-Bots
763	MasterMinds	Ms. Nancy Azcona	MS 88 K
764	MasterMinds2	Ms. Nancy Azcona	MS 88 K
927	Dark Knights of 24	Mr. Raymond T. Cottrell	IS 24 SI
1231	TopGearz	Mr. Chris Dudin	IS 119 Q
1233	SuperBotz	Mr. Chris Dudin	IS 119 Q
1235	B.R.A.T.S	Mr. Chris Blades	CS 66 X
1489	Blood, Sweat, & Gears	Mr. Russ J. Holstein	IS 318K
1497	Nanny Bytes	Mr. Russ J. Holstein	IS 318K
1702	Bearded Bob	Mrs. Maureen  L. Reilly	Packer Collegiate Inst.
2048	Skybots	Mr. Lindrick A. Outerbridge	IS 383 K Philippa Schuyler MS
2216	PS11	Mr. Hector  vazquez	PS 11 M
2331	Mission Masters	Brandie Hayes	PS 8 K
2332	Swagger Bots	Brandie Hayes	PS 8 K
2707	TNTBulldogs	Mr. Scott L. Waldman	MS 137Q
2713	Ryan Lions	Mr. Peter T. Xanthus	MS 216Q George Ryan
3448	Marauder Bots	Mr. Anthony Traverso	NYC Parks Dept. Cromwell Center
3916	MATobot	Ms. Hau-yu Chu	PS126/Manhattan Academy of Technology
3967	Mustangs	Bryan Kilgallen	IS 27 SI
3969	Mustangs 2	Bryan Kilgallen	IS 27 SI
4094	Gear Masters	Iffat Mai	Forest Hills Robotics
4095	Mindstorm Mechanics	Iffat Mai	Forest Hills Robotics
4096	Planetary Forces	Iffat Mai	Forest Hills Robotics
4191	Dalton 1	Rob Quatrone	Dalton
4192	Dalton 2	Rob Quatrone	Dalton
4442	RoboTron	Mr. Dennis Chan	RoboMindTech
4443	RoboRocket	Mr. Dennis Chan	RoboMindTech
4603	HCHS ROBOTICS TEAM A	Mr. Peter  H. Glus	Hunter College Campus
4604	Queens Robotics Club	Mr. Peter  H. Glus	Queens Robotics Club
4605	HCHS ROBOTICS TEAM B	Mr. Peter  H. Glus	Hunter College Campus
4739	RA Tech Titans	Joann Heppt	Resurrection Ascension
5086	NYCitizens	Ms. Veryl C. Greene	Brics-2-Bots
5908	St. Clare's Transformers 1	Mrs. Mary E. Lee	St. Clare School
5909	St. Clare's Transformers 2	Mrs. Mary E. Lee	St. Clare School
5910	St. Clare's Transformers 3	Mrs. Mary E. Lee	St. Clare School
5911	St. Clare's Transformers 4	Mrs. Mary E. Lee	St. Clare School
6225	The Innovators	Denise Tinsley	PS 28M Wright Brothers
7191	Raging Tigers	Barry S. Cohen	The Trinity School
7398	Gear Hawks	Sharon Holliday	PS 399 K Stanley Eugene Clarke
7405	Mission 11	Ms. Robyn a. Tommaselli	PS 11K  Purvis J Behan School
7406	Robotic Falcons Allstars	Mr. Jeffrey W. Stephens-Prince	MS 113K Ronald Edmonds Learning Center
7412	Robo Tigers	Mr. Eduardo A. Suescun-Florez	PS 3K The Bedford Village School
7413	Nanowolves	Ms. Saranii Muller	Fort Greene Prep Academy
7414	PS 5 Lego Rockets	Ms. Kesha S. Townsel	PS 5K
7419	Robo Warriors	Mr. Javed S. Narain	PS 270 K The Dekalb School
7424	Ron Brown Academny MS 57	M.Fevzi Ozaydin	Ron Brown Academy MS 57
7425	Lego Dream Team		The New Lots Schools PS 213K
7427	Madibabots	Mr. Jerib A. Carson	Madiba Prep MS
7756	Bronx Task Force	Ms. Sylvia I. Hill	Good Shepherd Services
7844	NXT Lords	Pamela Mills	PS 321K
8135	Basement Cubs	Mr. Jason A. Torres	Horace Mann School
8432	ChapinBots Team 1	Mr. Jack P. Cooley	The Chapin School
8434	ChapinBots Team 2	Mr. Jack P. Cooley	The Chapin School
10452	The Ridder Kids	Mr. Harold Smith	IS 98 X Herman Ridder
10468	Downtown Kings	Mr. Jesse P. Simpson	Manhattan Youth @IS 289 M
10656	Gators II	Ms. Suzanne M. Dwyer	NYC Lab  Middle School
10773	TechNics	Debora Carmichael	PS 92K Adrian Hegeman
11810	RoboSapiens	Ms. Pat Swain	Family Life Academy Charter School
12177	Grandpa Bob Whippersnappers	Mrs. Maureen  L. Reilly	Packer Collegiate Inst.
12505	Genesis Fluffy Tacos	Mr. James P. Schreiner	Genesis at Xaverian
12735	Genesist Legosmiths	Mr. James P. Schreiner	Genesis at Xaverian
12831	TYWLS Robotics	Julie Wood	The Young Womens’ Leadership School TYWLS BK
13263	Dwi Sci	Mr. Matthew Moran	Dwight School
13273	Lego My Eggo	Mr. Franky Gutierrez	Sunset Park Prep MS 821K
13305	Medabots	Jerry Leon	Graham WIndham MS/PS 123M Beacon -
13309	Bleeker Stars	PRIMAL DHILLON	Edward Bleeker JHS 185
13469	RoboBeta	Mr. Dennis Chan	RoboMindTech
13777	DROIDMakers	Mr. David A. Boehm	Inwood Academy for Leadership
13859	Nanocubs	Ms. Saranii Muller	Fort Greene Prep Academy
14067	Columbiacraft Crammers	Mrs. Geneva S. Elias-Warren	Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School
14535	Genesis Jedi	Mr. James P. Schreiner	Genesis at Xaverian
14793	256 Bots	Dr. Jeffrey Utz	PS 256K Benjamin Banneker Elementary
14856	HCHS Robotics Team C	Mr. Peter  H. Glus	Hunter College Campus
14887	Robotics 89	Mr. Robert Peduzzi	PS 89 The Williamsbridge School
15139	NXT Generation	Tsvi Katsir	Riverdale Country School
15247	Digital Pride	Mr. Ed Bringas	The Gateway School
15551	CGPS Lions	Mrs. Geneva S. Elias-Warren	Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School
16081	Bedford Bots	Mr. Robert J. Calungsod	Bedford Academy
16165	robotronics	Ms. Michelle Solomon	PS 153 x Helen Keller
16179	Robo Fusion 192	Mr. Eric S. Greene	RMS @ I. S. 192

JrFLL at Javits on Saturday March 9th, 2013

Greetings JrFLL Coaches and Mentors,

Thanks for you and your teams' hard work.  The EXPO at NYU Poly was a terrific success.  I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet your teams, observe their incredible projects and listen to many of their presentations.

I am writing to confirm your participation at Jacob Javits Convention Center for the annual FIRST Weekend Extravaganza.

I will send you a schedule, which is tentative, by the end of this week.

In the interim here are a few things I need you to know as well as a few things I need to know from you.

1. You should plan to have your teams arrive at Javits between 8:30am and 9:00am.
2. There will not be any JrFLL Judging at Javits.  
3. Teams who were not at the EXPO on 2/10 at NYU Poly will still receive recognition for their participation and efforts.
4. If you did not pay for your team to participate at NYU Poly, we will be asking the same fee of $50.00 per registered team at Javits.   Please make checks or money orders payable to NYU Poly/ NYC FIRST.  Remember to include your official team registration number on the memo line of the check.
5. If you are not planning on attending, please let me know as soon as possible.
6. If you are planning on bringing a team that is registered already but was not able to particiapte at the EXPO at NYU Poly on 2/10 because of extenuating circumstances please let me know who is coming A.S.A.P.
7. Officially, JrFLL has a limit of six students per registered team.  (This is USFIRST Policy!!!)

I will be reaching out to a few teams individually to confirm some additional details.  In the interim please remember that Javits is Free and Open to the Public throughout the dates of the NYC FIRST Extravaganza.   You can bring as many parents, classmates, friends and family members as you like to support your child's participation in JrFLL.  

We look forward to seeing you at Javits.  If you have any questions or concerns in the interim feel free to reach out to me.

See you on SATURDAY March 9th.

Best,

Keith Wynne

Science Specialist/Achievement Coach
CFN 612 The Grapevine Network
131 Livingston StreetRoom 505
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201
(718)-935-3881
grapevine306meet-the-team  
JrFLL Chairperson for the NYCNJ FIRST Planning Committee
www.nycnjfirst.org

FLL Staten Island Qualifier 2013

Team#                       Organization                                                           Team Name                        Award

3969                           IS 27 Prall intermediate School                         Mustangs 2                          Programming

927                             IS 24R Myra S Barnes                                            Dark Knights                        Gracious Professionalism

3448                           NYC Parks                                                                Marauder Bots                    Innovative Solution

3967                           IS 27 Prall Intermediate School                         Mustangs                             Robot Performance 1^st Place

5909                           St. Clare’s School                                                  Transformers 2                    Robot Performance 2^nd Place

5910                           St. Clare’s School                                                  Transformers 3                    Strategy – Robot Design

5911                           St. Clare’s School                                                  Transformers 4                    Mechanical Design

12505                         Genesis at Bavarian                                             Purple Pandas                    Research

12735                         Genesis at Xaverian                                             Genesis Legosmiths            Teamwork

14535                         Genesis at Xaverian                                             Genesis Jedi                       Inspiration

2216                           PS 11                                                                          Tech tigers                           Presentation

5908                           St. Clare’s School                                                  Transformers 1                    Champions                                    

Manhattan Qualifier Results - Teams Advancing to Javits

The list below are the teams that are advancing to Javits. 

Champion

1st  Team Number  8434 || Team Name Chapin Bots Team 2

2nd Team Number 7191 || Team Name Raging Tigers

3rd  Team Number 4191 || Team Name Hobbots

Core

Inspiration Team Number 15551 || Team Name  S-Tech

Team Work  Team Number 10656 || Team Name  Lab Gators II

Gracious Professionalism Team Number 4605 || Team Name The hunter Hawkers

Project

Research Team Number 14067 || Team Name The Waggers

Innovation Team Number 6225 || Team Name The Innovators

Presentation Team Number 8432 || Team Name Chapin Bots team 1

Robot 

Mechanical design Team Number  13305 || Team Name Medabots

Project Team Number  3916 || Team Name MATobots

Strategy & Innovation Team Number 13777 || Team Name Droid Makers

Against all odds Team Number 10468 || Team Name k89 Cougers

Rising star Team Number 15241 || Team Name Digital Pride

Judges Team Number 13263 || Team Name Dwi Science

Robot performance 

1st Team Number 14856 || Team Name Hunter Probotics

2nd Team Number 7191 || Team Name Ragin Tigers

3rd Team Number 4192 || Team Name We got the Beep

Advancing. 

Team Number 4603 || Team Name Hunter Games

Brooklyn 2012-13 Qualifier Results - Teams Advancing to Javits, March 9

Tournament Date: Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013

There are 52 teams registered for Brooklyn, 44 teams registered to compete in Brooklyn, 42 showed up.  We advanced 23 teams.  Below are the award categories with descriptions and a list of school and team name.  Note:  in some categories there is a 1st and 2nd place due to the fact we have to advance so many teams, but normally there would be just one name in each category except robot performance and champion where 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rankings are standard.

Champion’s Award

This award recognizes a team that embodies the FLL experience, by fully embracing our Core Values while achieving excellence and innovation in both the Robot Game and Project.

3rd place:               PS 213    The PS 213's Lego Dream Team (rookie team & first year in AMPS/CBSI)

2nd place:              IS 318     Blood, Sweat, and Gears (all boys team)

1st place:                PS 399    The Gear Hawks (2nd year winning 1st place champions)

Robot Design:

Mechanical Design

This award recognizes a team that designs and develops a mechanically sound robot that is durable, efficient and highly capable of performing challenge missions.

PS 8         Swagger Bots

Programming 

This award recognizes a team that utilizes outstanding programming principles, including clear, concise and reusable code that allows their robot to perform challenge missions autonomously and consistently. 

2nd place:              IS 383     Skybots

1st place:                MS 113   Robotics Falcons All Star

Strategy & Innovation

This award recognizes a team that uses solid engineering practices and a well-developed strategy to design and build an innovative, high performing robot.

2nd Place:                               PS 11                       Mission 11

1st place:                                Sunset Park Prep     Lego My Eggo

Robot Performance 

This award recognizes a team that scores the most points during the Robot Game. Teams have a chance to compete in at least three 2.5 minute matches and their highest score counts. This is based on 3 rounds

3rd Place                Bedford Academy HS           Bedfordbots

2nd Place               PS 321                                                    NXT Lords

1st place                 PS 399                                                    Gear Hawks 

Project Awards

Research

This award recognizes a team that utilizes diverse resources to formulate an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the problem they have identified.

2nd place                                PS5                                                          Lego Rockets

1st place                 Fort Greene Prep    Nanowolves

 Innovative Solution

This award recognizes a team’s solution that is exceptionally well-considered and creative, with good potential to solve the problem researched.

2nd place                                MS 57 Ron Brown Academy   MS 57 Ron Brown Academy

1st place                 Packer-Collegiate Institute     Bearded Bob

Presentation 

This award recognizes a team that effectively communicates the problem they have identified and their proposed solution to both the judges and other potential supporters.

Packer Collegiate Institute     Grandpa Bob's Whippersnappers

Core Values Awards 

Inspiration

This award celebrates a team that is empowered by their FLL experience and displays extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit.

PS 92      Technics

Teamwork

This award recognizes a team that is able to accomplish more together than they could as individuals through shared goals, strong communication, effective problem solving and excellent time management.

Fort Greene Prep    Nanocubs 

Gracious ProfessionalismTM 

This award recognizes a team whose members show each other and other teams respect at all times.  They recognize that both friendly competition and mutual gain are possible, on and off the playing field. 

2nd Place                PS 3 The Bedford Village        RoboTigers

1st place                 IS 318                              The Nanobytes (all girls team)

Judges Awards

During the course of competition the judges may encounter teams whose unique efforts, performance or dynamics merit recognition. Some teams have a story that sets them apart in a noteworthy way. Sometimes a team is so close to winning an award that the judges choose to give special recognition to the team. Judges Awards allow the freedom to recognize remarkable teams that stand out for reasons other than the Core Award categories.

Examples include:

Against All Odds 

This award goes to the team that improvises and overcomes a difficult situation while still making a respectable showing, with an attitude that shows, “We can overcome incredible odds if we never give up, no matter what!”

TYWLS Brooklyn   TYWLS Robotics

Rising Star 

This award recognizes a team that the judges notice and expect great things from in the future.

PS 8         Mission Master

Judges Award

PS 256                     256 Bots 

Due to PS 399 wining 2 awards the team with the next highest robot performance game score will compete in Javits:

PS 270     Robo-Warriors