Volunteers:

Sign up by logging into your FIRST account (or creating a login) on FIRSTInspires.org and applying for a specific role. 

If the link above does not work for you, please go to www.firstinspires.org, click on “Log In” or “Sign Up” to create an account on the Top Right.  Then, go to “My Dashboard” ->”Event Volunteering”. You can find this specific volunteer opportunity by searching in the FLL Programs for “NorCal” or event name “NorCal FLL Innovation Expo at Micron” on March 9th.

Important Note: All adults must pass a background screening as you will be working with/interacting with youth – have questions, learn more at FIRST‘s Youth Protection Program  resources page . [Program Guide volunteer info starts on page 29].

• U.S. Screening Process Step by Step
• Frequently Asked Questions

VOLUNTEER DETAILS:  Googlesheet or PDF about the different volunteer roles needed, time commitment and a description of each role.

Teams:

Teams: See the Team List, for registration status

COACHES: Remember to bring a copy of your FIRST Team Roster! 

1. Email your RSVP – deadline extended to 3/1 2/25: You will need to express your interest to attend, please email fll@playingatlearning (no need to copy other email addresses) with your team number and team name if you plan on attending, by 3/1 at 9pm pacific.  Your team’s RSVP status can be found on the team list.  If your team is self-nominating, please mention this in your RSVP.   Deadline extended due to school breaks…. trying to be compassionate so that teams do not lose this opportunity. Please let us know if you are or are not coming (for the teams that received a nomination at their qualifier) as soon as possible. 
2. Cost: $75 per team.  You must pay by 2/25 3/1 at 9pm pacific (extended). If your team has a financial hardship please email fll@playingatlearning.org, so we can work with you to address this.  We do not want any team to miss this opportunity for financial reasons.   PAY
3. Application: Each team will need to submit their jotform application and question responses BY 3/1 9pm pacific  (extended).  There are several questions that take quite a bit of time from the team, we would recommend giving yourself enough time to complete the form. (Please plan accordingly, this will be at least a few hours of work.)  The primary questions are identical to the questions that FIRST asks teams to fill out for the Global Innovation Award  (see page 2 of the FAQ).

Evaluation Rubric

Schedule:

In the morning, each NorCal team will have a judging interview (5 minutes for teams to present and 5 minutes for Judges Q & A), tentative schedule by pit number.  8 teams will be selected to move on to the finals announced with a detailed schedule.  Those teams will have another judging interview (5 minutes for teams to present and 15 minutes for Judge Q & A), and a public presentation (this presentation could be the same or slightly modified from what you gave to the judges) of their project solution (5 minutes to present and 5 minutes for audience Q & A).  TEAMS: PLEASE CHECK INTO EACH AREA 5 MINUTES before your team’s scheduled judging session.

Expected Schedule (subject to change)

All Teams:
Teams Arrive & Coach Roster Check-in   8:00am – 8:30am
Setup Pit Table              8:00am – 8:30am
1st Round of Judging  8:30am – 11:45am

2nd Round Team Announcement and Schedule details  11:45 am (possibly earlier)

2nd Round Teams:
Public Presentation and 2nd Round of Judging       12:00pm – 2:00pm
Closing & Announcement Ceremony:   2:10pm – 2:30pm

Event Background:

Interested in being a Sponsor of Innovation?   

Playing At Learning:

Playing At Learning promotes and supports FIRST^® LEGO^® League (FLL) to open doors to the worlds of science and technology for Northern California youth with a strong focus on reaching those traditionally under-represented in STEM careers. We provide operational oversight and coordination of our region’s league, tournaments, and championships for the nearly 600 robotics teams competing in the 2018 season, serving nearly 6000 middle school youth. During the August-March challenge season, we introduce 4^th-8^th grade youth (ages 9-14) to real-world engineering team-based challenges through an annual robot game and project. There are 3 components to the overall challenge each year –  Robot Game, Project and Core Values.

With guidance from adult coaches and mentors, the FIRST^® LEGO^® League teams explore interactive and creative curriculum in academic, extracurricular, and competition environments, gaining the unique opportunity to:

• Design, build, and program autonomous robots using LEGO Mindstorms^® robotics technology;
• Directly apply math, science, and engineering concepts;
• Learn more about issues and research areas for today’s scientists and engineers;
• Demonstrate 21^st Century Skills in collaboration and teamwork, critical thinking, creative problem solving, as well as communication and presentation skills;
• Participate in Kickoff events, Tournaments and other celebrations.

FIRST along with partners such as XPRIZE for a Global Innovation Award and offers each FIRST LEGO League region an opportunity to nominate one or more Regional Nominees based on a team’s Innovative Solution to their Challenge Project.

NorCal Innovation Expo: Northern California presents teams with the opportunity to be nominated to represent our region for the Global Innovation Award.  Starting in the 2016 season, at each of the November Qualifying Tournament, the project judges will select an Innovation Candidate team based on the Innovation Solution criteria from the Project Rubric.  Then, in early spring, these teams will compete at the NorCal Innovation Expo to select the teams that will be our Northern California’s Regional Nominees. The Northern California Regional Nominees will then be evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges coordinated by FIRST against the other regional nominees worldwide for an opportunity to vie for the Global Innovation Award which includes patent help, cash and other awards at a special event. The Northern California region has had many Global Innovation Award Semi-Finalists which highlights the amazing entrepreneurial spirit that resides in our region.

Challenge Project:  Each year, FIRST introduces a new Challenge and theme based on a real-world problem.

The NorCalFLL Innovation Expo is celebrating our Teams’ Innovative Solutions to the Challenge Project and selecting the 4 NorCal regional nominees to vie for the Global Innovation Award.