Hi everyone,

Lot's of interest has been expressed about FIRST LEGO League (FLL) for the 2011 Season - "Food Factor" Challenge. Last year ten FLL teams from Garrett County competed and it looks like we'll have at least as many again this Fall. For this to happen we'll need many new coaches, mentors and volunteers.

To that end, there will be an informal "Get Together" for all interested on the evenings of July 5, 6, and 7th (next week!) at the GEARS facility in the Town of Accident, Maryland. Sessions will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each evening and feature an "open" format for students, parents and coaches. Information and strategies will be shared upon request such as team organization, ideas for total team participation, NXT-G programming, proven robot tips and tricks, and useful research strategies.

Field setups from past events, Power Puzzle (2007) and Ocean Odyssey (2005), will be available for students to practice robot building techniques and develop strategies for super robot performance. Plenty of materials will be on hand to build robots with including NXT controllers and sensors.

The format for these evenings will be very relaxed and flexible - designed to meet whatever expectations those attending may bring. Students, coaches (prospective and seasoned) and parents can attend all three sessions or pick any one or two ... or any part of one! Anyone is more than welcome to "stop by", however, it will be helpful if you could give a "heads up" in advance which session(s) you'd like to attend. Again, all evenings are identical with open formats and no "fixed" agenda. For more information or to give a "heads up" that you plan to stop by, contact Chuck Trautwein at 301-616-3231 or ctrautwein@ga.k12.md.us.

Please feel free to pass this invitation along and note that attendance is not required for competing this Fall on an FLL team - it's just a chance to get more familiar with FLL and get a jump start for the 2011 season. Thanks!

Chuck
301-616-3231