2011 NORCAL FLL SEASON    Official Program Calendar

        May 2    ……………………..  Team Registration opens  (gofll.usfirst.org)
        July-September   …………  Coach Training (Playing At Learning will host in person and web conference sessions)
        September 2   ……………  Challenge Kickoff  (online) at 9am pacific
        Sept 2   ………………………  NorCal FLL Kickoff  event  (Location and Registration TBD)
        mid-September  …………..  Team Registration closes  (when max team limit is hit)

Proposal for 2011 Season Tournament Registration Process – may change (final details by August)
       up to September 30  ……..  Tournament Registration Applications due for restricted tournaments   * [see below]       up to October 1  ………….  “Release of Liability” waiver forms for all team members and all coaches/mentors due
       October 4  …………………..  Teams notified if accepted into restricted tournament(s) *
       October 5 – 9  ……………..  Open tournament registration –

Proposal for 2011 Tournament Season for Northern California teams –  may change (final details by August)
        October  …………………………  Locally organized scrimmages
        Nov 12, 13, 19, 20 …………..  Nor Cal First Level Tournament  (Qualifying Tournaments)  – attend one
        Dec / Jan    ……..………………  Nor Cal Championship Tournament  – if advance from first level tournament
        April-June  ……………………..  FLL Post Season Invitational Events (Festivals and Opens)

2011 NORCAL FLL TEAM COSTS  [2011 season pricing from FIRST]        National Registration   (opens May 2,2011)  ……...……………  $225  (plus ~$30 in tax/shipping)
       Field  Setup Kit (mat and field elements)   …....……………..….  $ 65  (plus ~$10 in tax/shipping)
       Project Materials   …....…………………………………………………..  $ 80 est.  (depends on materials used)          
       Northern California Tournaments ……....….……..….………….…  $ 75 to 150  estimated

       FLL Robotics kit or any Mindstorms kit (1st year only) ……  $420  (plus ~$55 in tax/shipping)
       Challenge table   (1st year only) …....………………….…………….  $ 80 est.   (depends on materials used)   
     

The team will need access to a laptop to bring to the tournament and many teams create a custom team t-shirt.   Sometimes, snacks, project presentation materials  and similar expenses are also shared among team members.  We have some need-based grant money for teams but it will be targeted to under-served communities. 
Contact Mark for sponsorship opportunities

 

* What is a restricted tournament?  Each year in Northern California, we have a couple of tournaments that have specific criteria that they would like to use as a first priority for teams coming to their event.   For example, in 2010 (and previous years),  the Google tournament had a preference for diverse teams  – this could mean many dimensions of diversity including rural / inner city / economic / rookie / gender / ethnicity.   In addition, the Girl Scout tournament sponsored by NASA/Ames had a strong preference to admit teams made up of Girl Scouts  and then majority-girl teams as a second priority.