2012 Senior Solutions Challenge - FLL Thailand Competition

The students in the Robotics Club are preparing to compete in the FLL Thailand 2012 Competition. We currently have two groups that will be registered in the event. One team is comprised of Grade 8 and 7 students and the other one mainly by Grade 6 students. We meet every Monday and Friday from 3 to 5 PM. During these last weeks before the competition, we will certainly be meeting additional days. These days will be communicated in advance by email to the students.

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A team consists of 3 to 10 members. The age range is 9 to 16 (maximum age limit) and it should have at least one adult coach. FLL competitions are a team exercise. This is not just about building a robot, it is about learning how to work with others - a key life skill. We always ensure that everyone on the team feels like they're included, so that's why we include everyone in group discussions and decisions. Due to the nature of the work, there may be arguments. This is where the coach fits in to be a mediator and help find a compromise.

Students have already decided the roles that each one will take for the competition. With the help of the coach, team roles are defined by identifying team member's strengths. We have identified the following strengths and play to those strengths or roles: Software Specialist (Programmer), Hardware Specialist (Builder), Information Specialist (Presentation and Rules Expert), and Project Manager.

During our meeting on February 21, 2013, students voted for two team representatives or project managers. We used Google Moderator to allow each student to vote for their candidate. At the end, Alessio and Aman were chosen by the group.

In preparation for the competition, all the building, programming, testing, and problem solving is done by the team members. The team decides where it wants to go. The coach just needs to still keep them on track towards the final deadline. Often students learn much more by failing than by getting it right the first time.

It is very important that all the students read and understand the contest rules. They must review the Game Updates on a regular basis since this will help them better guide their team. For more information about the competition rules, click here to read the Official FLL 2012 Senior Solutions  Challenge.

Another component of the competition is the Project challenge. This season is to solve a problem faced by seniors as they age. To start, the teams needs to find a senior partner. Many people define seniors in different ways. For the Senior Solutions Project, students have to look for an adult who is 60 years of age or older.

As a team, students have to choose one problem that their senior partner identified and learn about it. What causes the problem? What is being done to solve the problem today? Are new solutions being developed by scientists or engineers? Some resources they may use to look for information are: reports, books, magazines, and websites. Students have to check with professionals who work in and around their community. They have to use any research tools they have available.

When the team decides on a problem, their challenge is to create an innovative solution—one that makes life better by improving something that already exists, using something that exists in a new way, or inventing something totally new. Learning about current solutions is just the beginning. How can their solution help seniors feel respected and do the things they love? How will your solution help seniors stay independent, engaged, and connected? They have to all work together and brainstorm.

Students have to share all their ideas. One team member’s “crazy idea” just might inspire the perfect innovative solution. What could be done in a new way? What could be done better? What will it take to make your team’s solution happen? A great solution might take all the imagination and ingenuity the team can muster. It might seem so obvious that they wonder why the problem even exists.

If a team chooses to attend a tournament, they have to prepare a presentation to share their problem and solution with the judges. Their presentation can include posters, slide shows, models, multimedia clips, your research materials – they have to be creative. Remember to leave a lasting impression.

Finally, the event will be held on February 22, 2013. Join us at the Panyapiwat Institute of Management in Nonthaburi. The address is 85/1 Thanon Chaeng Watthana, Khlong Klue, 11120 (close to Central Chaeng Watthana). The day begins with the Team Registration at 8:00 AM, and after the Opening Ceremony, the competition will start at 9:30 AM. The end of the event is set for 3:30 PM.

22 Awards will be granted by the organizers and sponsors of the competition. GAMMACO will support the winning team with 100,000 THB to join a competition in Australia, Germany, or the USA.

For more information about the competition, click here to go to GAMMACO's FLL Thailand 2012 website.