II. II. Coaching/Mentoring Coaching/Mentoring

Techniques Techniques WorkshopWorkshop

20052005

Oregon Robotics Oregon Robotics Tournament & Outreach Tournament & Outreach Program (ORTOP)Program (ORTOP)

Opening doors to the worlds of Opening doors to the worlds of science and technology for science and technology for

Oregon’s youthOregon’s youth

Instructor ContactsInstructor Contacts

Ken ConeKen Cone

ken_cone@ous.eduken_cone@ous.edu

503-725-2918503-725-2918

Roger SwansonRoger Swanson

swanson@hevanet.swanson@hevanet.comcom

503-297-1824503-297-1824

Jim RyanJim Ryan

james.r.ryan@intel.james.r.ryan@intel.comcom

971-215-6087971-215-6087

Scott StankoScott Stanko

scott.stanko@intel.cscott.stanko@intel.comom

(971) 215-9677(971) 215-9677

Today’s GoalsToday’s Goals

Focus on being a coach or mentorFocus on being a coach or mentor I hope you leave:I hope you leave:

• Feeling more comfortable about your roleFeeling more comfortable about your role• Having some more tools in your bag of Having some more tools in your bag of

trickstricks• Understanding better what it takes to Understanding better what it takes to

solve a challenge.solve a challenge.• Having gotten your questions answeredHaving gotten your questions answered

Have some fun!!Have some fun!!

AgendaAgenda

Forming your teamForming your team Registering your teamRegistering your team Equipping your teamEquipping your team Managing your teamManaging your team NO LIMITS Challenge kitNO LIMITS Challenge kit Do some exercises with Inventor Do some exercises with Inventor

Level programming using Level programming using RoverBots from last weekRoverBots from last week

Our Our Mission Mission

Program not just about building Program not just about building robots and competing in tournamentsrobots and competing in tournaments• Teach skillsTeach skills

– Specific technical skillsSpecific technical skills– General life skillsGeneral life skills

• Show that technical problem solving can Show that technical problem solving can be funbe fun

Open up the possibility of technical Open up the possibility of technical careerscareers

One secret opportunityOne secret opportunity

We’re We’re asking you asking you to help us!to help us!

Where Teams Come FromWhere Teams Come From

School BasedSchool Based• In class: Perhaps 45 minutes a dayIn class: Perhaps 45 minutes a day• After school: Perhaps 1.5 hours; 2 to 4 times a weekAfter school: Perhaps 1.5 hours; 2 to 4 times a week• Special block: Several hours once a weekSpecial block: Several hours once a week

Club BasedClub Based• Probably after school or eveningProbably after school or evening

Independent teamIndependent team• After school, evenings, or weekendsAfter school, evenings, or weekends

We encourage you to find and include We encourage you to find and include youngsters that normally would not have this youngsters that normally would not have this exposureexposure

Where to MeetWhere to Meet

Large enough space to handle the Large enough space to handle the number of youngsters on the teamnumber of youngsters on the team

Space for challenge field setup – Space for challenge field setup – 4’x8’4’x8’

Access to a computerAccess to a computer Storage space between meetingsStorage space between meetings

• Challenge tableChallenge table• Partially built robotPartially built robot• Lego partsLego parts

Team sizeTeam size

High initial interest may fadeHigh initial interest may fade Sub-teams of 2-3 can work in parallelSub-teams of 2-3 can work in parallel

• Experiment with prototypes Experiment with prototypes • Learn programming techniquesLearn programming techniques• Work on the presentationWork on the presentation

Eventually team should stabilize at 10 Eventually team should stabilize at 10 or lessor less

5 to 7 team members is probably ideal5 to 7 team members is probably ideal

You Need Adults, Too!You Need Adults, Too!

Coach – The person in chargeCoach – The person in charge• Organizes the teamOrganizes the team• Does not need to be a techieDoes not need to be a techie

Mentor – The technical guruMentor – The technical guru• Provides technical adviceProvides technical advice• Provides the technical basics Provides the technical basics

One person can play both rolesOne person can play both roles• But, don’t go it aloneBut, don’t go it alone• Recruit other adults to supervise sub-Recruit other adults to supervise sub-

teamsteams

Coach – The Person in Coach – The Person in ChargeCharge

Single point of contact for teamSingle point of contact for team Understands the FLL and ORTOP programsUnderstands the FLL and ORTOP programs Recruits the teamRecruits the team Registers the teamRegisters the team Arranges for equipmentArranges for equipment Schedules meetingsSchedules meetings Sets the philosophy and instills team spiritSets the philosophy and instills team spirit Be a good role modelBe a good role model

Mentor – The Technical Mentor – The Technical GuruGuru

Technical Advisor to assist the coachTechnical Advisor to assist the coach Teaches both robot design and Teaches both robot design and

programmingprogramming Helps set achievable goals Helps set achievable goals Encourages structured problem Encourages structured problem

solvingsolving• Follow typical engineering project modelsFollow typical engineering project models• Experiment with one variable at a timeExperiment with one variable at a time

Graduates of FLL can workGraduates of FLL can work

General Advice to All General Advice to All AdultsAdults

Be a good role modelBe a good role model Keep a positive attitudeKeep a positive attitude Encourage teamwork and insist on Encourage teamwork and insist on

mutual respectmutual respect Don’t over emphasize “winning” – Don’t over emphasize “winning” –

demonstrating a solution at a demonstrating a solution at a tournament is successtournament is success

This is the kids’ project, not yoursThis is the kids’ project, not yours Have funHave fun

Team RegistrationTeam Registration

National registration through FLL: National registration through FLL: http://www.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/flg_reg.htmhttp://www.usfirst.org/jrobtcs/flg_reg.htm

May through end of September or when May through end of September or when max reached max reached

$150 fee$150 fee Receive team manual, web forum access, Receive team manual, web forum access,

and supportand support Optional ordering of kitsOptional ordering of kits First-Come-First-Served, so REGISTER First-Come-First-Served, so REGISTER

EARLY!!EARLY!!

Purchases at FLL Purchases at FLL RegistrationRegistration

Registration fee: $150Registration fee: $150 Robotics kit: $260Robotics kit: $260 Field set-up kit: $50Field set-up kit: $50 Rotation sensor, extra motor and Rotation sensor, extra motor and

light sensorlight sensor They don’t ship until they are paidThey don’t ship until they are paid

ORTOP State RegistrationORTOP State Registration

Takes place in October 2005Takes place in October 2005 $35 fee for ORTOP$35 fee for ORTOP We notify all coaches that have We notify all coaches that have

registered with FLL in Oregon and registered with FLL in Oregon and surrounding countiessurrounding counties• Provide list of local tournamentsProvide list of local tournaments• Ask for 3 local tournament choices in Ask for 3 local tournament choices in

priority orderpriority order We assign teams to local tournamentsWe assign teams to local tournaments Register early!!Register early!!

Minimum Resources to Minimum Resources to StartStart

A robotics kitA robotics kit A computerA computer A place to meet and practiceA place to meet and practice

• ClassroomClassroom• Family roomFamily room• GarageGarage

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

2005 FLL Field Setup kit (only from FLL)2005 FLL Field Setup kit (only from FLL)• Mission Model SetMission Model Set• Field MatField Mat

Practice table (design on FLL website)Practice table (design on FLL website)• http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?

pid=11330pid=11330• 4’x8’ bottom4’x8’ bottom• Railing around the sidesRailing around the sides• Overhead lightOverhead light

Robotics Kit InfoRobotics Kit Info

Can start withCan start with• LEGO Mindstorms Robotic Invention System: $150-LEGO Mindstorms Robotic Invention System: $150-

200 with RIS software and buy a tackle box for sorting 200 with RIS software and buy a tackle box for sorting parts; or parts; or

• LEGO Team Challenge Set with Software (W990977 ) LEGO Team Challenge Set with Software (W990977 ) at $226 which includes Robolab software and good at $226 which includes Robolab software and good sorting trays and guides;sorting trays and guides;

• And , upgrade by purchasing an additional light And , upgrade by purchasing an additional light sensor and motor plus a rotation sensor (see FAQ).sensor and motor plus a rotation sensor (see FAQ).

Or, order 2005 FLL Robot Kit at $260 for Or, order 2005 FLL Robot Kit at $260 for delivery starting in the summer.delivery starting in the summer.

Lots of teaching guides at Lego Education siteLots of teaching guides at Lego Education site

Kit OrderingKit Ordering

Mindstorms kits available from Mindstorms kits available from • Perhaps Target, ToysRUs, or Fry’s (call ahead)Perhaps Target, ToysRUs, or Fry’s (call ahead)• Amazon.comAmazon.com• LEGO: http://shop.lego.com/product.asp?p=3804LEGO: http://shop.lego.com/product.asp?p=3804

FLL kits from FLL web site: register4fll.com FLL kits from FLL web site: register4fll.com Everything else available from Lego Everything else available from Lego

Education at: Education at: http://www.legoeducationstore.com/http://www.legoeducationstore.com/

See FAQ for more detailsSee FAQ for more details

Team Uniforms??Team Uniforms??

Many teams do something for the Many teams do something for the tournamentstournaments• Team shirts, hats, etcTeam shirts, hats, etc• Theme clothing Theme clothing

Team sponsor advertising on a T-Team sponsor advertising on a T-shirt, etc. is OKshirt, etc. is OK

Example Team BudgetExample Team Budget

National Registration Fee: $150National Registration Fee: $150 State Registration Fee: $35State Registration Fee: $35 2005 Robotics Kit: $2602005 Robotics Kit: $260 2005 Field Setup Kit: $502005 Field Setup Kit: $50 Materials for table: $50-$100Materials for table: $50-$100 Team Challenge Activity Pack: $30Team Challenge Activity Pack: $30 Misc. including batteries, shipping: $50-Misc. including batteries, shipping: $50-

$100$100 Total: $625-$725Total: $625-$725

Possible Sources of team Possible Sources of team fundingfunding

Fundraising Activities

ORTOP Scholarship

Team Member Dues

Team Sponsors

Having some Having some portion of costs portion of costs picked up by team picked up by team members gives a members gives a sense of sense of commitmentcommitment

ORTOP ScholarshipsORTOP Scholarships

Funding should not be an obstacle Funding should not be an obstacle to a team’s participationto a team’s participation

Cover $35 to $600 in team costsCover $35 to $600 in team costs Accepting applications nowAccepting applications now Awards made at least monthlyAwards made at least monthly Last date is September 16, 2005Last date is September 16, 2005 http://ortop.org/scholarship.htmlhttp://ortop.org/scholarship.html

Meeting OrganizationMeeting Organization

How often and how long to meetHow often and how long to meet• Most teams meet 2-3 times per week Most teams meet 2-3 times per week • After school, evenings, weekends as team After school, evenings, weekends as team

desiresdesires• Some add extras as get closer to endSome add extras as get closer to end• > 1 hr (set up and take down)> 1 hr (set up and take down)• < 3 hrs (attention span)< 3 hrs (attention span)

At least 2 adults present during meetings – At least 2 adults present during meetings – can use parents who take turnscan use parents who take turns

Set ground rules -- E.g. don’t turn kids Set ground rules -- E.g. don’t turn kids loose to walk home by themselves after loose to walk home by themselves after darkdark

Refreshments / snacksRefreshments / snacks

Team Kick-off MeetingTeam Kick-off Meeting

Every child brings parentEvery child brings parent Set expectations with bothSet expectations with both Send kids off to build with LegosSend kids off to build with Legos

• Get assistant to helpGet assistant to help• Build with instructions, like the Build with instructions, like the

ConstructopediaConstructopedia• Something they can all do at onceSomething they can all do at once

Explain the real situation to the Explain the real situation to the parentsparents

Parent InvolvementParent Involvement

Explain program/FLL philosophy Explain program/FLL philosophy • Success = ParticipationSuccess = Participation

Explain team rulesExplain team rules Discuss participation commitment for Discuss participation commitment for

kidskids Review costs and funding sourcesReview costs and funding sources Communicate about tournamentCommunicate about tournament Solicit helpSolicit help

Getting Started with the Getting Started with the KidsKids

Set Team GoalsSet Team Goals Decide responsibilitiesDecide responsibilities

• Can rotate, especially near beginningCan rotate, especially near beginning• Usually will want to be fixed as near tournamentUsually will want to be fixed as near tournament• Need backups roles due to absencesNeed backups roles due to absences

Set milestones – use project management Set milestones – use project management analogyanalogy• Set dates for each phase of project to keep on Set dates for each phase of project to keep on

tracktrack• Include design, build, test, REWORKInclude design, build, test, REWORK

Encourage participation in a team Encourage participation in a team environmentenvironment

Learning OpportunitiesLearning Opportunities

Encourage risk takingEncourage risk taking• It’s OK to failIt’s OK to fail• Key is to manage the riskKey is to manage the risk

Encourage experimentationEncourage experimentation Expect failure – focus on what is Expect failure – focus on what is

learned as a resultlearned as a result Problem solving takes time – Problem solving takes time –

Edison’s experience with light bulb Edison’s experience with light bulb filamentfilament

Facilitate Structured Problem Facilitate Structured Problem SolvingSolving

Defining problemDefining problem BrainstormingBrainstorming Evaluating alternativesEvaluating alternatives Choosing alternativeChoosing alternative ImplementingImplementing Evaluating & testingEvaluating & testing

Hard vs.. Soft SkillsHard vs.. Soft Skills

Hard SkillsHard Skills• Mechanical Mechanical

DesignDesign• ProgrammingProgramming• AnalysisAnalysis• Problem SolvingProblem Solving• ExperimentationExperimentation• DocumentationDocumentation

Soft SkillsSoft Skills• TimelinessTimeliness• TeamworkTeamwork• Tact and Tact and

CompromiseCompromise• ConfidenceConfidence• CourtesyCourtesy• PerseverancePerseverance• PlanningPlanning

Turn these youth into little engineers

Build a FoundationBuild a Foundation

Introduce techniques and conceptsIntroduce techniques and concepts• Build or bring demosBuild or bring demos• Discuss advantages and disadvantagesDiscuss advantages and disadvantages• Let kids figure out how to apply concept to Let kids figure out how to apply concept to

ChallengeChallenge If meetings start before Challenge is If meetings start before Challenge is

announced, can use mini-challenges to announced, can use mini-challenges to introduce conceptsintroduce concepts

One approach: use 5-10 minutes at start of One approach: use 5-10 minutes at start of each meeting to introduce conceptseach meeting to introduce concepts

Sample ConceptsSample Concepts

Pick one or two new subjects per Pick one or two new subjects per sessionsession• Structural strength: bracing vs. snapped Structural strength: bracing vs. snapped

piecespieces• Gear ratios: torque vs. speedGear ratios: torque vs. speed• Traction: tracks vs. wheelsTraction: tracks vs. wheels• Friction: tires vs. skidsFriction: tires vs. skids• Programming techniques: linear vs. loops Programming techniques: linear vs. loops

vs. subroutinesvs. subroutines

Divide and conquerDivide and conquer

Three basic robot functions:Three basic robot functions:• Locomotion: how the robot movesLocomotion: how the robot moves• Navigation: how it knows where to goNavigation: how it knows where to go• Robotic Action: function it performsRobotic Action: function it performs

LocomotionLocomotion

MotorsMotors Gears/pulleysGears/pulleys Wheels/tracksWheels/tracks SteeringSteering FrictionFriction

NavigationNavigation

Time, but sensitive to battery chargeTime, but sensitive to battery charge Touch SensorsTouch Sensors

• Means of triggeringMeans of triggering• Pressed vs. releasePressed vs. release

Light SensorsLight Sensors• Light levelsLight levels• Darker/lighterDarker/lighter• Calibrating thresholdsCalibrating thresholds

Rotation sensorRotation sensor

Robotic ActionRobotic Action

PushingPushing GrabbingGrabbing LiftingLifting DumpingDumping

Technical Judging – 25%Technical Judging – 25%

Panel of “experts” interviews teamsPanel of “experts” interviews teams• Robot design: Creativity and robustnessRobot design: Creativity and robustness• Programming: Creativity and robustnessProgramming: Creativity and robustness

Prepare the team to:Prepare the team to:• Explain their design of the robot and its Explain their design of the robot and its

programprogram• Demonstrate at least one mission on the Demonstrate at least one mission on the

challenge fieldchallenge field Bring a printout of the programBring a printout of the program

Presentation Judging – Presentation Judging – 25%25%

Don’t ignore itDon’t ignore it Another good learning opportunityAnother good learning opportunity

• Research skills and presentation skills Research skills and presentation skills (remember the marketing kid? (remember the marketing kid? ))

• Good engineering requires research and Good engineering requires research and communicationcommunication

FormatFormat• 10 minutes including setup10 minutes including setup• Posterboards, skits, models, Posterboards, skits, models,

Powerpoint, . . . Powerpoint, . . .

Sources of ideasSources of ideas

Constructopedias/Manuals/GuidesConstructopedias/Manuals/Guides RoboLab Tutorial CD-ROMRoboLab Tutorial CD-ROM Books – www.ortop.org/ORTOPbooks.htmlBooks – www.ortop.org/ORTOPbooks.html Web links – Web links –

www.ortop.org/ORTOPcoachment.htmlwww.ortop.org/ORTOPcoachment.html• LegoLego• FIRSTFIRST• INSciTE -- Minnesota FLLINSciTE -- Minnesota FLL• Tufts University – Inventor of RobolabTufts University – Inventor of Robolab

Real worldReal world

• Art of LegoArt of Lego• CMUCMU• Best PracticesBest Practices

Next StepsNext Steps

Fill out our Volunteer Information Fill out our Volunteer Information FormForm

Sign-up for another workshopSign-up for another workshop• III. Robotics Techniques WorkshopIII. Robotics Techniques Workshop• ortopreg@ortop.orgortopreg@ortop.org

Contact UsContact Us

Web site: Web site: http://www.ortop.orghttp://www.ortop.org

Email: Email: questions@ortop.orgquestions@ortop.org

Phone: Phone: 503-725-2915503-725-2915