Greetings,

There are many spaces left in the "LEGO Robotics RCX Level 2" class at De Anza
College on Saturday October 10.

This is a fun and unique class that is not offered often.  In this one day
workshop, students can choose from a variety of projects, or get help with a
custom project or two.

Since it looks like this class will be small, this is a great opportunity to get
extra individual help and attention.

You should pre-register with the De Anza Short Courses Office.

The number to register is 408-864-8817.  Details also available at:

     www.roboticslearning.com/

(click on the "Class Schedule" link)

You can also see images of some of the available RCX robot projects at

   http://www.roboticslearning.com/examples/robots.html

or see some typical photos at

    http://www.roboticslearning.com/photos/0502-lyceum

You can phone me at 408-910-1176 if you have questions about the class, or are
interested in a limited "free 2nd registration for a parent or sibling" offer.

Steve Putz
www.RoboticsLearning.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGO® Robotics RCX Workshop 2
(KIDS 079)
This class introduces intermediate level topics in building and programming
robots using the LEGO Mindstorms RCX Robotics Invention System. Students with
previous LEGO Mindstorms experience practice mechanical design, construction,
programming and teamwork skills. In pairs, using LEGO parts, motors and sensors,
students build at least two different robot models and use a computer to program
their robots to move, react, and make sounds in order to solve challenges. This
class is good preparation for kids or mentors interested in robotics
competitions such as FIRST LEGO League. Previous LEGO Mindstorms experience or
instructor approval is required for this workshop. Bring a sack lunch for 45
minute lunch break.

Steve Putz
Saturday, October 10, 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: De Anza College
Room: G-6

$105 (Additional $10 payable to instructor during class)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


P.S. the first deadline for ordering the FLL T-Shirts I've designed is October
16 (or earlier if you want custom artwork).  See

    http://www.roboticslearning.com/FLL/shirt



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Northern California FLL community and friends,

Back in June, we mentioned about a few changes coming along for the Nor
Cal  FLL community.  These are now mostly complete with the new website
www.norcalfll.org going live today.      This will be the last email
that we send out on this group.

Reminder to sign up for the norcalfll.ning.com community site.  It will
be the site that we will use for coaches and others involved in FLL to
communicate with each other here in our area including sharing photos,
videos along with advice and help.


We welcome your feedback.


Cheers,
      Jill & Mark


Jill Wilker,  Mark Edelman
Playing At Learning, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit   (510)  656-8664
educational enrichment through play

Northern California partner for FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge
2010 Rube Goldberg Challenge organizer       rubemakers.ning.com
---





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Northern California FLL community and friends,


We have been working behind on the scenes on a couple of fronts.

1) moving to use "NorCal FLL" to clearly identify our region over NCa
FLL
2) updating our website to improve navigation and increase maintainability
3) option to receive less emails for those that have asked for this option
4) adding community-building aspects for the group to help each other
more, particularly in localized regions



With respect to community-building:   Looking over the existing
yahoogroup posts over the past several years, the majority of the
questions are "localized" - things like FLL Challenge tables moving
around, asking for coaches/mentors and how to meet/learn about teams in
a specific location. One single mailing list is not meeting the needs of
our very large  community.    We have been looking into a few different
options to enable communication and community sharing beyond the nature
of one list and have decided to adopt the community site,
http://norcalfll.ning.com.   We encourage you to setup an account on the
site -  you can control how much information about yourself that you
disclose to others.  Sign up here:
http://norcalfll.ning.com/main/authorization/signUp?      In addition,
we also have a Facebook fan page at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Playing-At-Learning-Northern-California-FIRST-LEGO\
-League/59080782545
We welcome you to add content and share on any/all of these  "channels".


To reduce overall email traffic, we will be using the googlegroup,
norcalfll-announce@googlegroups.com for all official announcements
related to tournaments, season deadlines and similar items that are
critical to go out to everyone.   *ACTION REQUIRED*:  Please join this
group by visiting http://groups.google.com/group/norcalfll-announce  and
clicking the "Join this group" link on the right side of the page.  We
can send you an invitation through the site if you prefer but many spam
filters eat those messages.



With respect to updating our website: Behind the scenes, we have
started  to change the existing website into a new site  [using Joomla
1.5 CMS for those that care].  For an early peek, you can look at
http://www.playingatlearning.org/norcalfll_new.   Once we officially
launch the site, the real URL will be  http://www.norcalfll.org.    As
of today, this URL still points to the previous  website and all content
still exists at http://www.ncafll.org .




We are excited about the new sites and all of the different ways we can
share and learn from each other from these new community tools and we
hope that you will embrace these changes.   Please do sign up for the
norcalfll-announce googlegroup so that you don't miss important messages.


In summary:

1) IMPORTANT ACTION NEEDED:  new Announcements only mailing list for
important messages about deadlines and tournament info:
http://groups.google.com/group/norcalfll-announce

2)  new website coming:  http://www.norcalfll.org  [not live yet].
sneak peek: http://www.playingatlearning.org/norcalfll_new

3) new community site for sharing and helping each other:
http://norcalfll.ning.com





Cheers,
      Jill & Mark


Jill Wilker,  Mark Edelman
Playing At Learning, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit   (510)  656-8664
educational enrichment through play

Northern California partner for FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge
2010 Rube Goldberg Challenge organizer
---




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

We are a middle school team in Los Gatos looking for a coach. The girls took
part in FLL last year. We are scheduled to meet on sunday evenings. Anyone
interested in coaching this team thru next FLL season, pl. respond.

Thanks

Right now there are only 6 Sun employees listed in the Bay area
as being in involved in FIRST programs - all for FRC.

http://wikis.sun.com/display/FirstRobotics/whosonfirst

Please pass this along to other Sun people that you know that are or
have been involved in FIRST programs at any level - please.

Thanks, Jill

Our 11-year old son is starting an FLL team in Cupertino, and is looking for
other children to join the team. If you're an interested parent, please email us
at jax@...

Parents/Coaches/Teams,

This note is a bit long, but the content is very important
to the FIRST LEGO League program in Northern California.
Please take the time to read it completely!

The continued growth in teams in Northern California is stressing
our current tournament system. The growth is fabulous, but it will
require us to rethink some of the ways we have been operating.

While FLL Core Values emphasizes that "What we discover is more
important than what we win", many teams look forward to having an
additional chance at competing beyond their initial event.

This past season, approximately 22% of our teams were able to
participate in a second event (the Championship). If the growth
pattern for this coming season matches past seasons, we are
anticipating that no more than 18% of our teams will able to
earn the opportunity to participate in an additional event.

We considered three scenarios for managing this issue: leaving
things as they are, splitting into two championship tournaments,
creating a 3-tier tournament system.

  From discussions with FIRST, other FLL Affiliate Partners, and
our current 1st level tournament directors, we believe that the
third choice, a 3-tiered tournament systems, makes the most
sense for our area, as well as provides a sustainable system
for the foreseeable future.

Below is a bit more about each of the considered choices:

1)  Leave things as they are

      The number of teams advancing to Championship will stay fixed.
      The % advancing will drop year by year as the program continues
      to grow.

      This would have a single championship of 64 teams


2)  Split into two Championships

      The number of teams advancing will increase.  The percentage
      advancing will jump this year, then continue to shrink.

      This would provide 2 championships of 48 teams each. A coin
      toss decides which one of the 2 champion's award teams gets
      the invitation to the World Festival if we get a bid via the
      lottery draw


3)  Create a 3-tier tournament system

      Borrowing from high school sports, we would have "districts",
      "regionals", and a Championship.  These names are not yet
      finalized, and we are open to suggestions.  We are considering
      avoiding the term "qualifier", as we have had teams perceive
      not advancing as being the equivalent of not being qualified.

      The number of teams advancing will increase.  The percentage
      advancing each year would be controlled by increasing the number
      of 1st & 2nd-level tournaments. the goal is to have approximately
      30% of teams participate in at least two levels of events each year.

      For this coming season (Smart Move), this would mean:

      12-15 small 1st level of 12-24 teams each
      3 medium 2nd level of ~36 teams each
      1 championship of 48 teams

      with the reduced size of the championship, we will be able
      to focus on the teams more; we will be able to add to the
      time spent with the judges as well as add an additional robot
      performance round.  Additional time with judges is something
      that has been consistently requested by both teams and judges.


In all three cases, we will have only a single World Festival lottery
draw for the possibility of one of our teams attending the World
Festival.

Changing to a 3-tier system will require changes in the tournament
calendar.  The 1st tier of tournaments will be scheduled to
take place in November prior to Thanksgiving, the 2nd tier in
December, prior to Christmas, and the Championship in early
January.

Our prior year tournament directors are supportive of the
changes, including the impact on the events that they
host.  We appreciate the support that they continue to
provide, particularly as we work through these changes.

If there is sufficient interest, we could host a conference call
to discuss the changes. Otherwise, we would encourage everyone to
reply with any comments via phone, email, or through the
YahooGroup.

Mark & Jill
Northern California FLL Affiliate Partners

--
Mark Edelman
Playing@Learning  phone: (510)656-8664
42668 Lerwick Street  fax:   (510)656-8664
Fremont, CA 94539  mailto:marke@...
http://www.playingatlearning.org

[sorry for the delay in getting this approved.]

Hello Everyone,

we are excited to start forming a team of 5th grade girls for the FIRST
LEGO League Fall 2009 season. We're in Almaden Valley close to Graystone
Elementary(SJUSD).

If your daughter is interested in joining, email us at
     felixb@...
and we'll send you details and our contact info.

A couple of places are still available and will be given on a first come
first served basis.

We will have a parent and girl info meeting on Friday June 5, 7:00-8:00pm.


:-)

Best regards,
Felix and Priska

[sorry for the delay in getting this approved.]

Hi :
This is in response to the queries re. Lego Robotics Summer Camps being offered
in Fremont and Milpitas.
Invent-a-Bot has been running after-school clubs and Lego Robotics Summer Camps
in the Fremont Area for the past 4 years. Pl. check out the entire course
offerings for this summer at
http://www.invent-a-bot.com. Camp enrollment is affordable, on a weekly basis
and all-day and half-day options are available. Registration is still open.
Classes begin on June 22 – July 17 * 4 sessions * Ages : 8 – 14 yrs. One
additional week of Camp is offered at ICC Milpitas from July 20-24.
Thank You,
Anu Saraf

*From the Colorado Springs Gazette - what a great story...

http://www.gazette.com/news/gates-54787-college-school.html


====

It started with Legos, then the pieces came together *

Marie Bush just wanted to build a better Lego robot, and now she's gone
and become an electrical engineer.

Bush, 50, dropped out of UCCS' [The University of Colorado at Colorado
Springs]  engineering program in 1979, and became a wife and mother.
Today she's finishing what she started 30 years ago.

"I wanted to be there this time," Bush said. "I sat in lectures with a
smile on my face thinking, 'This is so much fun.'"

What drew her back were Legos.

Bush helped fifth-graders build a Lego robot as she coached a FIRST Lego
League team, and her daughter Kaylee served as a high school mentor. She
decided to take Introduction to Robotics at UCCS so she could be a
better coach, and once she got started it was hard to stop.

Bush graduated with an electrical engineering degree Friday, and Kaylee
is scheduled to graduate in December with an electrical engineering
degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

"I had to learn how to learn all over again; I was a little rusty," Bush
said. "It made me realize I can do it. I'm walking about two feet off
the ground today. I never thought I'd get here, and here I am, and it's
mind-blowing."

Kaylee thought it was fun, too, even if her life became a "your mom"
joke. A friend texted her and said "your mom is in my class," and some
of her high school friends became her mom's college friends and lab
partners. The pair had some classes in the same semester and helped each
other study for finals.

Now, Bush runs the regional FIRST Lego League competition headquartered
at UCCS (www.coloradofirst.org/socolorado
<http://www.coloradofirst.org/socolorado>), and her empty nest doesn't
seem very empty. This summer she'll be back on campus to teach
Introduction to Robotics, the class that started it all.





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

My 11-year-old daughter is very interested in legos, and would like to join a
team in the area. We live in Saratoga.  If there are any openings in the area,
please let us know.

Thanks,
RS

Annette Lane, WarriorBots coach, will be teaching 2 summer camps in June and
July; one for beginners and one for intermediate/advanced students ages 9-14. 
Due to varying school completion dates, some beginners are starting late in the
first camp, so don't let the dates stop your students from joining.  I'll try to
upload a copy of the brochure/registration form to the Files section of this
site, but contact me here or Mrs. Lane at Valley (408)559-4400, or via cell
(408)710-7050, if you need more info.  The form is also available at Valley's
website at:

http://www.valleychristian.net/news/supporting_docs/summer_school/robotics_camp.\
pdf

The WarriorBots just returned from Dayton, Ohio, last week where they competed
in the US Open Championships and many of the team members will be in the
advanced camp or helping with the camps.  Students have a great time at her
camps, so sign up soon.  Space is limited.

Our team is retiring from FLL. We'll like to sell the NXT kit and also the
Climate connection field setup with it.

The NXT kit was only used for one season. I think the new one goes for $240

If you're interested, please send a bid to me and we'll take the best offer.

Thanks
Ketan Joshi
ketan_pjoshi@...

Is anyone in this group participating in Robogames in SanFrancisco. If so, would
you be able to accomodate a robotics enthusiast in your team ? We'd like to join
a team in and around Sunnyvale. Thank you.

Regards,
- DM

Register today!

Airfare prices are plumetting, making a trip to SF easier than ever!

Register today!

http://robogames.net/registration/event/register/4
--


David E. Calkins - http://www.robogames.net
-----------------------------------------------
Silicon shall replace Carbon.
The revolution will be automated.

Forwarded with permission....

The WarriorBots just returned from a fantastic 3 days in
Dayton, Ohio. The team had the best experience participating
at the U.S. Open, sponsored by the Wright Patterson Air
Force Base and Wright State University. The WarriorBots
earned a 2nd Place Quality Robot Design and a Certificate of
Excellence for their research project. The team had the
opportunity to share the presentation with the base
commander Col. Spacy and with a couple of Battelle
executives.


The non-profit Battelle organization is looking
forward to working with the team for the possibility of
funding the  project design.


The kids had a great time meeting other teams, sharing
NorCal pins and team buttons.






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Apologies if this is a duplicate posting!

My grandson is interested in robotics and while doing my research, I ran across
FLL.  I'd like to find a camp for him to go to this summer and if anyone knows
of any in Sonoma or Marin, I would appreciate the info.  Should I be looking
specifically for MINDSTORMS NXT?  I've seen references to LEGO Technics also -
is this the same thing or similar enough to get started or should I avoid this
and limit my camp/class search to the MINDSTORMS system?  It seems like there
are actually lots of robotics camps, I just want to make sure I get the right
one(s).

Your help would be very much appreciated!  Thanks!

Debbie
Debbie

Sorry for the spam - trust this is an appropriate posting for this alias.

East Valley Family YMCA in San Jose is proposing to host its first FLL
competition team.  A few children have signed up and they cannot wait to get
started.  But the YMCA needs more enrollments, before they can form a team.
If your child lives in this neighborhood and is looking to participate in
FLL,  please call YMCA directly.  Or, please pass on the information to
those who might be interested.

Here is the contact information:

Marketing Directory - Justin Yaeger   email: Jyaeger@...

Lego Mentor - Peter Holley   email: PeterLHolley@...

YMCA phone: 408 715 6540
YMCA Location:
1975 S. White Road
San Jose,  CA 95148

thanks
meera


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi,

We were recommended to make sure that Playing At Learning had at least
10 Cisco employees that can "sign" on our behalf in Cisco's system for
matching grants and other grant awards.    If you had mentors or others
involved in your team could you ask them to please add their hours.  I
have already sent email to a few of you already - thank you!


Regards,  Jill

Jill Wilker, Playing At Learning
Northern California partner for FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge
---



Dean M wrote:
> ANY Cisco employee can nominate ANY 501c3 in the U.S, and any NGO
> anywhere else in the world, for matching funds.  All it takes is 10
> Cisco employees to commit to EITHER:   1) Donate $100 to any
> NPO/NGO    OR   2) Volunteer 10+ hours / year to any NPO/NGO.  ....
> First thing is to have all the Cisco volunteers go to the internal
> website and add their hours to Playing At Learning.  WE can take it
> from there.

If you have any tables in the Santa Clara County area, please reply to this
post. My school is starting a robotics class in the fall and will need 1 to 2
tables. Thanks.
~Jessica Dewey-Hoffman
West Valley Middle School, San Jose
Can also call: 510.332.0111.

Table available for pickup in Los Gatos today May 3. Please respond to email or
call 408-209-0468 or 408-209-0467 as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Beth

Wow, that was fast!!  I've already had to turn down two people - the table and
kits have been promised to the first two people who emailed.

Suparna Vashisht
Coach, Smiling Noodleheads

We are forming a new FLL team in Los Gatos, and would be most grateful for a
table.  We can pick up from any Bay Area location.  Thank you!

Smiling Noodleheads  [from Los Gatos area] are retiring! We have a table and two
field kits (Climate Connections, Power Puzzle). If anyone is interested, please
email me.  Also if a rookie team wants a mentor, the team members will be happy
to offer their services!

Thanks,
Suparna Vashisht, Coach

We already have 2 teams that have signed up - we need 4 more.   First
come / first served by replying to me - let me know of any preferences
on day / shift so that I can try to accommodate if possible.  jill

---




       MAKER FAIRE IS COMING AND WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE!


          What is Maker Faire <http://www.makerfaire.com>?  A
         family-friendly event to MAKE, create, learn, invent, CRAFT,
         recycle, think, play and be inspired by celebrating arts,
         crafts, engineering, food, music, science and technology.


May 30 and May 31, 2009
San Mateo County Expo Center
Saturday:  10AM-8PM; Sunday: 10AM-6PM




       JOIN US!

  We need 3 FLL teams each day in shifts.  One each morning [10am-1pm],
mid-day [12:30-3:30pm], late [3-6pm] to demo their 'bot
In exchange for coming with your robot, you will get Maker passes - yeah!



       TEACHERS and Educator special deals!
       <http://www.makerfaire.com/education/>

  1. FREE tickets for qualified teachers to be used May 30th or 31st
(limited to the first 500)  - [note:   close if not past limit]
2. Discounts (50% off) for school groups coming on the weekend
3. FREE Special "Meet the Makers" Preview Tours for schools, Friday
morning, May 29th
4. NEW opportunities to attend an exclusive Maker-to-Maker event for a
handful of teachers on Friday afternoon, May 29th



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thank you for all the responses.  The table was taken by the first coach who
responded.  Wish the rest of you luck on finding a suitable table for your team.
 
Wendy

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

There are also courses offered through the DeAnza Summer Enrichment program,
sign ups have already begun.
Eva

  Embrace the positive


EvaCarrender@...
http://my.Tupperware.com/Carrender
Demos, Fundraisers, Kitchen Plans




________________________________
From: D Offen or G Nyhan <dave@...>
To: NCaFLL@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 9:43:26 AM
Subject: [NCaFLL] RE: Robotics summer camps for a middle schooler in and around
sunnyvale





DM,

Here are a few options:

- San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services: click on Summer Day
Camps and see pages 7 & 15 here http://www.sanjosec a.gov/prns/ cagindex. asp .

- Robotics Learning http://www.robotics learning. com/camp/ index.html .

- San Jose Tech Museum http://summercamps. thetech.org/ descriptions. cfm

- Stanford Computer Camps
http://digitalmedia academy.org/ locations/ computer- camp-stanford. html .

Dave Offen

-----Original Message-----

Robotics summer camps for a middle schooler in and around sunnyvale

Posted by: "dmohan_us" dmohan_us@yahoo. com dmohan_us

Date: Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:42 am ((PDT))

Hello All,

I am the parent of a Robotics enthusiast who is looking for NXT Robotics
camps in and around Sunnyvale ( within 15 miles ) in the summer of 2009.
Please inform me asap just so I can register before it becomes full.

Thanks,

- DM

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
Compete with the big boys.  Click here to find products to benefit your
business.
http://thirdpartyof fers.netzero. net/TGL2241/ fc/BLSrjpYWIQYiu hLypGo89hWBlmj39
v7E6J07OZb4mDrbi qcMMTe2UieKj2Q/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have a boy who is awesome at legos and wants to be part of a team if anyone
has an opening or is starting up a new team

DM,

Here are a few options:

- San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services: click on Summer Day
Camps and see pages 7 & 15 here http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/cagindex.asp .

- Robotics Learning http://www.roboticslearning.com/camp/index.html .

- San Jose Tech Museum http://summercamps.thetech.org/descriptions.cfm

- Stanford Computer Camps
http://digitalmediaacademy.org/locations/computer-camp-stanford.html .

Dave Offen

-----Original Message-----

Robotics summer camps for a middle schooler in and around sunnyvale

Posted by: "dmohan_us" dmohan_us@... dmohan_us

Date: Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:42 am ((PDT))

Hello All,

I am the parent of a Robotics enthusiast who is looking for NXT Robotics
camps in and around Sunnyvale ( within 15 miles ) in the summer of 2009.
Please inform me asap just so I can register before it becomes full.

Thanks,

- DM

____________________________________________________________
Compete with the big boys.  Click here to find products to benefit your
business.
http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/BLSrjpYWIQYiuhLypGo89hWBlmj39v7E6\
J07OZb4mDrbiqcMMTe2UieKj2Q/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello All,

I am the parent of a Robotics enthusiast who is looking for NXT Robotics camps
in and around Sunnyvale ( within 15 miles ) in the summer of 2009. Please inform
me asap just so I can register before it becomes full.

Thanks,
- DM