FLL "Kit of Parts"

[Madison]

Imagine that you were starting an FLL team and had to give them everything they would need to compete successfully for a year.

What would you include? Sky's the limit; money's practically not a concern.

[EHaskins]

As an FLL mentor this year, and several previous years, this is what I think i a minimum.

2 NXT kits. A third of fourth is great, but not nessisary.
Access to 3 computers, preferably laptops. 2 for programmers, one, or more, for research.
Field parts and proper competition table with overhead light (http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=29580).

That is what I've seen as the minimum to be able to keep everybody productive. With less than this, the team members don't have the supplies to keep occupied.(with something productive)

Most of these thing are reusable each year, so once you have a good setup the yearly cost is minimal.

[Madison]

As an FLL mentor this year, and several previous years, this is what I think i a minimum.

2 NXT kits. A third of fourth is great, but not nessisary.
Access to 3 computers, preferably laptops. 2 for programmers, one, or more, for research.
Field parts and proper competition table with overhead light (http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=29580).

That is what I've seen as the minimum to be able to keep everybody productive. With less than this, the team members don't have the supplies to keep occupied.(with something productive)

Most of these thing are reusable each year, so once you have a good setup the yearly cost is minimal.

What about the additional NXT kits is helpful? Is it just that you have more pieces to keep more hands busy, or are there specific components in the kit that are helpful?

[Allison K]

My list...

1. Digital Camera (useful for taking pictures of kids/team/good ideas for the robot)
2. Video Camera (Useful for video taping early versions of the presentation to help the students brainstorm what they need to do to improve)
3. 2 or 3 complete NXT Kits (In the early stages keeps more hands busy with brainstorming, in the later stages allows two identical robots to be built to speed programming)
4. 2 or 3 RCX drive trains (Most of my teams use robolab and the RCX kits allow the programmers to learn while the builders use the NXT kits to brainstorm. When the builders finish the programmers already know how to program. This may work with the Mindstorms software as well but I haven't used it so I don't know. Though I suppose if money isn't an issue you could use NXT kits for the same purpose)
5. 4+ Computers, at least two with internet (2+ for programming, 2+ for research)
6. Poster Boards, Foam core presentation boards, construction paper, markers, crayons, etc. (For pit set up and Presentation visual aids)
7. Snacks (you said everything)
8. Official table with light set-up
9. A few bulk technic lots from ebay (extra pieces)
10. Whiteboards and markers (for brainstorming, making a to-do list, listing assignments for a day, 101 other uses)
11. Programming Training Kit (Something we designed for our teams. Includes a magnetic white board and magnetic programming icons to help the students learn what each icon does, as well as help them think out programs before taking them to the computer. Also includes a few training exercises that cover the basics such as finding lines, following lines, moving straight, turning, etc.)
12. Presentation Kit (Another resource we use for our teams. Includes an assortment of topics that the kids use to create short presentations at the end of most meetings. Also includes components to help them brainstorm topics)
13. Strategy Training Kit (Yet another resource. Includes activities to help guide the students during mission planning as well as document the process and results)
14. Mechanical Training Kit (Last resource. Includes mini building challenges and actvities to help the students when building their competition robot.)
15. An assortment of plastic storage bins (for those technic lots from ebay, various resource kits, art supplies, etc.)
16. Printer and lots of paper (bonus points for the printer if it can print pictures right from the card of the digital camera)

And the biggest one of all

17. SPACE. Space to leave our table set-up and ready for use (instead of packing it up every day), Space to store the computers, space for the kids to work, space to spread out and make a mess and be a kid, etc.

In a perfect world....

[EHaskins]

What about the additional NXT kits is helpful? Is it just that you have more pieces to keep more hands busy, or are there specific components in the kit that are helpful?

I've found that when the team gets their first ideas for a robot, there are serveral ideas that everybody seems to think could work. If you have multiple NXT kits, you can give each kit to a group of students to build a first draft of their design. Once they're all built the team can discuss the designs, and vote on a final design.

After "the" design is decided upon, the second robot can be used to help teach new programmers, or even to begin working on some of the programs before the final robot is finished.

[EricH]

3. 2 or 3 complete NXT Kits (In the early stages keeps more hands busy with brainstorming, in the later stages allows two identical robots to be built to speed programming)
4. 2 or 3 RCX drive trains (Most of my teams use robolab and the RCX kits allow the programmers to learn while the builders use the NXT kits to brainstorm. When the builders finish the programmers already know how to program. This may work with the Mindstorms software as well but I haven't used it so I don't know. Though I suppose if money isn't an issue you could use NXT kits for the same purpose)
5. 4+ Computers, at least two with internet (2+ for programming, 2+ for research)
...
11. Programming Training Kit (Something we designed for our teams. Includes a magnetic white board and magnetic programming icons to help the students learn what each icon does, as well as help them think out programs before taking them to the computer. Also includes a few training exercises that cover the basics such as finding lines, following lines, moving straight, turning, etc.)
The RCX motors/sensors can also be adapted to work with the NXT, using NXT's included adapters.
You don't really want to use the Mindstorms software if you are going to be using NXT for competition robots. RoboLab is a much better approximation, as it has the same base.
Programming training kit is a good idea...a summer camp would also work quite well.

The one most important thing is TIME. You need it for ideas, field building, robot building, research...The earlier you can get a task to them (e.g., the field goes for assembly as soon as you get the pieces), the more time they have to do it and the better it will turn out (hopefully).

[KathieK]

The FIRST tri-fold brochure so that they realize as their team members "outgrow" the wonderful FLL program, there are two other programs waiting for them to participate in! :)

[Jeff Rodriguez]

1) An official playing field and a place to store the table. It's a necessity.
2) Two (2) NXT kits. Not just for the extra pieces, but also so you can have a quick sample bot to practice programming with while the real robot is being built.
3) Three (3) computers. Two for programming, one for research.
4) The old Mindstorms practice mats. I still use these every year to practice programming with.
5) Funds to cover the cost of registration and Tshirts.
6) Two dedicated teachers and a handful of helpful, supportive parents.
7) Ten eager, cooperative, focused students.

That's everything I would give a team. If you give them any more I think the team will lose the sense of earning and responsibility. The more they work for the more ownership and pride they'll have in what they're doing.