Lego League

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Doug,
You already have a head start having been with a FIRST team. I work with seven Lego teams at a local middle school. It is essential that you have a teacher or two who are willing to take the responsibility for student stuff. (travel, attendance, permission forms, school scheduling, etc.) We have found that a team size of 6-8 works fairly well. If the students and adults wish to also work on the premise and presentations or wish to work on website and promotions, then additional students may be needed. We have fallen into the same kind of structure used in FIRST in that a few students on each team become responsible for mechanical, software, strategy, etc. With two students working in each category, one can be absent and the work will still progress. One student will become a team leader, but it is important that you work with them to help out in this area. We have found that age differences can lead to strife and so we have had an occasional sixth grade only team to help with that problem.
We meet two days a week in the normal after school time period, 3:30 to 5:15PM. This allows the students access to a bus home at 5:15. Our school also has a Saturday morning program for all students, so we occasionally meet on Saturdays, particularly close to game day. The teams meet in the tech center where there is room to put up two tables for playing field and where all the computers are accessible for programming. Encourage parents to help, they are a good resource for extra hands, building the playing field tables, covering when other adults can't be available and helping out at competition.
Lastly, stress "gracious professionalism" from the first day. They will look at you funny for several days, but it will take hold. Have fun and good luck!