In this update you will find:
- 50 States of Math - Summer Fun!
- WeDo, MINDSTORMS, or SPIKE PRIME?
- Introducing FIRST LEGO League Jr Discovery
- Getting Started with FIRST LEGO League Jr
Welcome to BOOMTOWN BUILD! All coaches in Oregon are automatically added to this mailing list. Teams in neighboring communities are welcome to participate in Oregon Expos provided there is space. If you have missed an email from Oregon you may read the archive on our blog, or see the important links on our website. Official updates and program materials can be found on the FIRST LEGO League Jr Challenge website.
1) 50 States of Math - Summer Fun!
Join FIRST LEGO League Jr and Bedtime Math as we celebrate the amazing numbers to be found as they hit the road on a summer road-trip. At each stop, everyone will get to learn about an interesting number in another of the 50 United States! The fun begins on July 5th, where all participating team members (and their siblings) can join us in coloring in their map of the states. 
Download the free Bedtime Math app on iPhone or Android and use code FLLJR to join in on the fun. Learn more here.I downloaded this for my android phone today and it took a bit of time to install, but was very easy to use! Simply select Community and use the code above (it doesn't even need to be in caps!). I can't wait to share it with my son and put the app on the family iPad.
2) WeDo, MINDSTORMS, or SPIKE PRIME?
How do you know what LEGO Product is right for your team? It is really tempting to start high and hope that will work, but each product is specially designed for certain developmental levels. That doesn't mean you can't use the others, but you will need to do more work to make them accessible to your team.
It's no secret that FIRST LEGO League Jr is designed specifically to work with the WeDo system. All of the suggested activities in the Team Meeting guide reflect this. However, if your team is in 3rd or 4th grade and they are looking up to FIRST LEGO League, it may be time to introduce the next level of robotics. Despite their differing placement in the above graphic, EV3 can be very accessible for this age level and will use a similar programming style (although more complex) to the WeDo system. SPIKE PRIME is a very friendly FIRST LEGO League option that may be perfect for your team that will grow enough with them to take them through their FIRST LEGO Leauge years. As a bonus, if your kids are like mine they have already learned a bit about MIT Scratch, and the SPIKE PRIME language is going to feel very familiar to that environment.
If your kids are just beginning with programming and using LEGO robotics, the WeDo system is the perfect fit. If your team is looking ahead to more sensors and options and almost ready for FIRST LEGO League, it may be time to look into moving up! Having a year in FIRST LEGO League Jr with a robot kit gives the team a great skill base for the next level.
Did you know ORTOP Sponsor Vernier Software and Technology is a LEGO Education retailer that sells LEGO MINDSTORM Systems and are headquartered here in Oregon?
3) Introducing FIRST LEGO League Jr Discovery
Does your team member have a younger sibling that just can't wait until they can be in FIRST LEGO League Jr. Do you wish there were a more accessible FIRST program for your Pre-K, Kindergarten, or 1st-grade class? This July, ORTOP along with the rest of the FIRST Community will welcome FIRST LEGO League Jr Discovery for our youngest engineers!
FIRST LEGO League Jr Discovery will use a LEGO DUPLO pack based on the same theme as FIRST LEGO League Jr, BOOMTOWN BUILD! The team will not use a WeDo or present at an expo. Instead, they will work with their kit and a LEGO STEAM PARK set to work through a series of activities, then bring their kit and STEAM PARK set to a gathering where they complete the final activity with other teams!
Starting in July FIRST LEGO Leauge Jr Discovery will be available as a class pack which provides workbooks for 30 kids and Inspire Sets for 7 teams of 4. This is a great fit for schools and Pre-K programs, but it is also a wonderful opportunity for Daisies, Cub Scouts, Cloverbuds, and any other community group of younger kids. ORTOP is encouraging co-ops to form for individual parents wanting to hold this program. Please let ORTOP know if you are interested in a hosted final event!
Why class packs only? Capacity, this program is expected to be very popular as it fills a STEAM skills vacuum in early childhood development. To keep this first-year team requests manageable only class packs are being offered. I've had my hands on this equipment and I can tell you it's definitely something I wish my children's preschool had!
Why class packs only? Capacity, this program is expected to be very popular as it fills a STEAM skills vacuum in early childhood development. To keep this first-year team requests manageable only class packs are being offered. I've had my hands on this equipment and I can tell you it's definitely something I wish my children's preschool had!
4) Getting Started with FIRST LEGO League Jr
Already set to go?
Login at www.firstinspires.org to create your new team!
Still not sure? Send me an email anytime with your questions. Each team receives lesson plans that are easy to use or ignore along with enough material to get young minds exploring in a new open way. FIRST LEGO League Jr isn't about completing a program, it's about learning together and building together today to improve our world for tomorrow.
As we go into the summer quite where we all take our young engineers to explore the amazing state we live in, see family who lives farther away, and just disconnect and enjoy being together. Unless there is a new exciting announcement, this blog will also be a bit quiet. I'm still here (mostly) so keep your questions coming in! When I have news about Information Sessions and exciting FIRST LEGO League Jr happenings, you can be sure I'll put them out here for you!
Best Wishes,
Loridee
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