Starting JrFLL

[216Robochick288]

Hey Chief Delphi, enough creeping for today, I have a question!

Despite being around since 2009 and coaching more Lego League teams than I can count anymore (with a stack of shirts to back me up), I have never coached a JFLL team! I'm currently mentoring 3 teams in the northern part of Michigan, and we have been pushing to get programs into the younger parts of our school system.

Some of our local parents found out about JFLL and have students in that age range. We are looking to start up a team, but I can honestly say I have no idea what goes into one! I always had my hands full with FLL and FRC that I could never give time to a JFLL team. I was wondering if any of you could toss in your two cents, as my teams want me to mentor the first JFLL team in our area, and I have no idea what I might be signing myself up for (Not that its going to stop me anyways, I already more or less made up my mind that I will be doing it)!

What is expected of a JFLL team?

What is considered "above and beyond" in JFLL?

What activities happen with JFLL? I remember with FLL going on field trips related to the game, teamwork, and programming classes.

As a coach at a competition, what should I expect? What should I make sure my students see/do?

What do the students projects usually entail?

How much time should I expect from my students schedule, how often and for how long typically works the best?

What kind of problems come out of a group so young?

Did I miss anything? What other valuable information can you give me?

(I glanced around on the FIRST website, CD, and Google and saw very little about this, figured I would ask, maybe it will be useful for others who may start a team soon!)