2023-2024 FLL Challenge
Lights, camera, STEAM!
In the 2023-24 MASTERPIECE℠ season, FLL is shining a spotlight on the role that STEM plays in the arts and empowering young people to bring their ideas to life. Together with art, science, technology, engineering, and math inspire big ideas, bold action – and creativity. Teams will use their imaginations to rethink the world of the arts as they build and program robots to accomplish challenging missions and innovate new ways to create art and experiences that can bring people together, entertain, and inspire.
Students in Grades 4 through 8 (ages 9-14) who are interested in being on an FLL team must attend a 2-session FLL PREVIEW CLASS. The Preview Class gives students the opportunity to try the team engineering, programming and research activities before committing to the full season, which runs through the regional robotics competition in early December and into January for teams selected for the state competition. FLL takes commitment, enthusiasm, focus and persistence in problem-solving, and willingness to learn and work with others on team goals.
The FLL Preview classes and teams will be led by Kelly Taylor (MZ), Charlotte Ackerman (SD), and Noah Mickey Coleman and Maura Baker (VV) in partnership with high school mentors and parent and community volunteers. Students may attend Preview Classes at any of the schools.
The days and times for the PREVIEW CLASSES*
· Sunrise Drive – Monday, August 14 and 21 at 3:00-5:30
· Manzanita – Tuesday, August 15 and 22 at 3:00-5:30
· Ventana Vista – Monday, August 14 and 21 at 3:00-5:30
· Esperero and Orange Grove - Friday at Sunrise Drive School, August 18 and 25 at 3:00-5:30 or the elementary school of their choice. (Middle school students can request a bus pass to Sunrise Drive School by emailing cs@cfsd16.org.)
What is FIRST Lego League
FIRST Lego League (FLL) introduces young people (grades 4-8), to the fun and excitement of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It is designed for students do the research and problem solving, which are integral parts of each element of STEM, to meet the yearly Challenge. Students identify a problem and develop an innovative solution.
There are three elements that make up the Challenge: 1. programming an autonomous robot (the Robot Game), 2. creating innovative solutions to a problem (the Project) 3. following the FLL Core Values where the children learn that helping one another and the spirit of friendly competition is the foundation of teamwork.
Each year’s Challenge is similar to real challenges faced by scientists and engineers, which leads to an understanding of the work of these professionals and an exposure to career options. The Project gives the teams the opportunity to more deeply explore the theme of the Challenge and propose a solution to a problem they select.
The teams present their projects for feedback from the judges, who often are experts in the Challenge field. FIRST Lego League imparts valuable life skills and excitement about how our students can make a difference in the world.
FIRST Lego League in CFSD
In Catalina Foothills School District, students who participate in FIRST Lego League (FLL) are afforded unique experiences involving a team approach to engineering, programming, problem solving, and research. FLL equips students with tools to be successful in a rapidly-evolving world. FLL presents students with real-world situations and challenges in which they develop their abilities to think critically, apply knowledge at high levels and use technology to access, evaluate and communicate information.
Led by Charlotte Ackerman, CFSD’s Teacher Leader for Science and Engineering, FLL team members work together over a 14-week session to address the current FLL mission and prepare for competition in December.
FIRST Lego League Lite
In the spring months, students who have an interest in participating as an FLL team member in the following school year are encouraged to join FLL Lite. This enrichment experience gives students the opportunity to get a taste of FLL without making the commitment to the full 14-week program. They get to try the current school year’s FLL mission and build their skills for future competitions without actually stepping into the arena of competing.