Sylvania STEM Center FIRST Lego League Application Packet

Welcome to Sylvania STEM Center! We are preparing for the 2018-2019 FIRST LEGO League season! FIRST LEGO League is an international engineering competition sponsored by the non-profit organization FIRST, For Inspiration in Recognition of Science and Technology. Teams compete in tournaments worldwide, designing and programming NXT Mindstorms or EV-3 robots to manipulate LEGO models on a 4’ X 8’ map, creating innovative solutions to a real engineering problem of their choice. The theme for the 2018-2019 year is “Into Orbit” in which teams will identify and solve a real-world problem for their Project.
All students interested in participating Sylvania’s FIRST Lego League team(s) next year must complete this packet. Completing this packet does not guarantee that students will be able to participate. Coaches will evaluate the applications received, consider the number of spots available on teams, and will use their best judgment to determine which students will be asked to participate and which team those students will be placed on.
Space is limited. We run a max of 15 FLL teams with typically 8 kids per team (10 kids max). Each team requires 2 volunteer coaches. Parents interested in coaching or with questions should indicate so on the application and/or contact Tom Burnworth, Sylvania STEM Center Director of Operations. Students of parents who coach still must complete all application materials and they will automatically be placed on their parent's team. Please don’t delay in returning this application. Every year we have kids on a waiting list that we can’t accommodate.
Team members will be required to pay a team fee--$300 to be enrolled on the team. Team fees covers the T-shirts, Competition Entrance fees, Team Registration, supplies, meeting space, etc. Team fee DOES NOT cover travel expenses. (See website www.sylvaniastem.org if you need financial assistance)

Application Materials (please include your name on all pages):
•	Core Values Essay – please write a brief paragraph on what team work means to you.
•	Teacher Recommendation – please have your teacher fill and sign this page.

All materials must be submitted to Sylvania STEM Center c/o Tom Burnworth. Or you can send them through your principal (if a Sylvania Schools student) and he/she can send them to Northview High School c/o Crystal Burnworth or Mail completed forms to 3315 Centennial Suite H, Sylvania, Ohio 43560.

Sylvan Robotics/STEM Center FIRST Lego League Policies
All team members deserve the opportunity to participate in Lego League in a safe and nurturing environment. Participants need to represent the school and our learning community in a safe and responsible manner.
1.	Although FLL robotics is an after-school activity, all school rules remain in effect and students must follow the rules in a school’s student handbook. Student must pay particular attention to how they behave at the team's meeting place and must follow directions provided by coaches regarding computer usage, use of Robotic kits, playing field, etc. Student who cannot follow the rules will be asked to leave the team.
2.	Behavior – Displays of aggressive or anti-social behavior and/or use of profanity will not be tolerated. Bullying, threatening or intimidating of other students or use of profane language or code words for profane language will result in student being removed from the group until s/he can behave in a respectful manner.
3.	Assignments – There are homework and research assignments associated with Robotics. Team members are counting on each other to do their part.
4.	Attendance – Attendance is not optional. Teams generally meet at least twice per week (5-6 hours) during the competition season. As tournaments get closer, there may be additional meetings. If a student is unable to attend a meeting, his/her parents should contact the coach as soon as possible.
5.	Timeliness – Being on time for practice and competition is essential.
6.	Core Values: Students need to adhere to the FIRST's Core Values at all times. These values are:
a.	We are a team.
b.	We do the work to find solution with guidance from our coaches and mentors.
c.	We know our coaches and mentors don't have all the answers; we learn together.
d.	We honor the spirit of friendly competition.
e.	What we discover is more important than what we win.
f.	We share our experiences with others.
g.	We display Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® in everything we do.
h.	We have FUN!

Sylvania STEM Center Contact info:
Tom Burnworth – Tom@sylvaniastem.org, 419-283-3084 Crystal Burnworth – Crystal@sylvaniastem.org
Website – www.sylvaniastem.org

Gracious Professionalism®: Gracious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community. With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy but treat one another with respect and kindness in the process.

Coopertition®: Coopertition® produces innovation. At FIRST, Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete. Coopertition involves learning from teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is learning from Mentors. And it is managing and being managed. Coopertition means competing always but assisting and enabling others when you can.

INTO ORBITSM

Explore living in and traveling through space

Gather your crew and get ready to explore, challenge and innovate in the demanding and inspiring expanse we call space! The
2018/19 FIRST® LEGO® League Season requires you to work together to break out of your earthly constraints. Do you have what it takes to go INTO ORBITSM?

FIRST® LEGO® League challenges children ages 9 to 16 to think like scientists and engineers. During the 2018/19 INTO ORBITSM Season, teams will choose and solve a real-world problem in the Project. They will also build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO®MINDSTORMS technology to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under Core Values celebrating discovery, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism®.

Core Values Essay
Please write a paragraph explaining what teamwork means to you and provide examples of how you have demonstrated teamwork skills in your life.

Teacher/Coach Recommendation – Sylvan Robotics/STEM Center FIRST Lego League
Elementary School Students – please give this form to your primary teacher this year.
Middle School Students – please give this form to one of your core subject teachers. Name of Student:  	
Teacher Signature:  	

Please circle the word that best answers the question
1.	Does this student work well in groups?
Always	Sometimes	Never

2.	Does this student have an aptitude for creative ideas and/or problem solving? Always	Sometimes	Never

3.	Does this student demonstrate the ability to work independently? Always	Sometimes	Never

4.	Does this student complete assigned tasks in a timely manner? Always	Sometimes	Never

5.	Does this student exhibit self-control in loud and boisterous situations? Always	Sometimes	Never

6.	Does this student find peaceful ways to solve interpersonal conflicts? Always	Sometimes	Never

7.	Does this student enjoy speaking in front of his/her class or a small group? Always	Sometimes	Never

8.	Does this student work well in a team activity? Always	Sometimes	Never
Form may be mailed to Sylvania STEM Center 3315 Centennial Suite H Sylvania Oh 43560