Author Topic: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"  (Read 24475 times)

Offline SkipMorrow

I don't know if any of you are associated with FIRST Lego League (FLL). It's a really cool program that gets kids in grades 4-8 interested in robotics, with a very strong focus on core values. It is a global organization with thousands of teams. Each year there is a theme, which also drives a project that each team must do. This year's theme was "hydrodynamics". The kids were challenged to think of a problem related to the human water cycle and to come up with an innovative solution to that problem.

This is where you all come in. Next year's them is "Into Orbit":

++++++++++++++
Hey FIRST LEGO League Teams! Are you ready to go INTO ORBIT (SM) in 2018-2019? The new theme has been announced, with a video teaser due out at the end of this month.

Please see below.....

INTO ORBIT (SM)
THEME: Explore living in and traveling through space

Coming August 2018

Gather your crew and get ready to explore, challenge and innovate in the demanding and inspiring expanse we call space! The 2018/2019 FIRST LEGO League season requires you to work together to break out of your earthly constraints. Do you have what it takes to go INTO ORBIT (SM)?

FIRST LEGO League challenges children ages 9 to 16* to think like scientists and engineers. During the 2018/2019 INTO ORBIT season, teams will choose and solve a real-world problem in the Project. They will also build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under Core Values celebrating discovery, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism.
+++++++++++++++

What I am doing now is letting folks know in the space industry that this is the theme next year. We do not know the specifics of what the challenge will be, but it will obviously be related to human space flight. Perhaps you know a team and would like to let them know that you can be available as a consultant? If you don't know of any teams, then watch this space for questions from teams looking for an expert. I am hoping that I can let the teams in the Norfolk area of Virginia that I know how to get a hold of space experts that can perhaps help their teams out. Things like that.

Nothing will really happen until next fall, right around the beginning of the school year. But if you want to start talking with your local teams, I am sure they would appreciate it.

Finally, I would encourage you to consider coaching a team. It is very rewarding and a lot of fun watching their creativity and enthusiasm in action.

Offline jmcgauley

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #1 on: 12/05/2017 12:53 pm »
That's wonderful! I've been an FLL project judge at our state tournament (in Fort Wayne, Indiana) for 14 years. Our event is this weekend. Looks like I'll need to hang around for year 15!

Offline SkipMorrow

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #2 on: 12/05/2017 01:58 pm »
I'm sure there will be some interesting projects that come your way next year.

Fort Wayne? Wow, that brings back memories. I graduated from Paul Harding High in *cough* 1983 *cough*.

By the way, thank you for volunteering as a judge. It means a lot to the kids.

Offline Lar

  • Fan boy at large
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13463
  • Saw Gemini live on TV
  • A large LEGO storage facility ... in Michigan
  • Liked: 11864
  • Likes Given: 11086
Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #3 on: 12/05/2017 04:21 pm »
FLL is awesome. A lot of my LEGO pals are involved as team coaches, resources, judges, officials, organizers, you name it. Most LEGO cons have some FLL demo activity. Especially BrickWorld which has a show in Indy and in Ft Wayne.

What is great about FLL is that in addition to being done with LEGO elements (how cool is that!!!) it is a great bridge to FIRST where the robots are bigger (not made of LEGO any more) and the competitions tougher.

Normally mention of LEGO means "entertainment and hobbies" but this is STEM, so.. probably OK here I think.
"I think it would be great to be born on Earth and to die on Mars. Just hopefully not at the point of impact." -Elon Musk
"We're a little bit like the dog who caught the bus" - Musk after CRS-8 S1 successfully landed on ASDS OCISLY

Offline mburba

  • Member
  • Posts: 1
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #4 on: 04/05/2018 01:43 pm »
Curious if anyone has heard of an updated release date for the FLL Teaser video for the 2018-2019 Season - INTO ORBIT?  I would love to use it to recruit new team members.  Thanks!

Offline SkipMorrow

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #5 on: 04/05/2018 01:47 pm »
The Hydrodynamics teaser was released on Jan 9th, 2017 and Animal Allies on Jan 25, 2016. They are way behind with the teaser for this year. :(

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #6 on: 06/29/2018 01:30 pm »
Hello my friends, My name is Carlos, i am from Chile and i'm working in a high school with a robotic team Fll.
I need help of one of you for the season 2018/2019 "Into Orbit", can you help me with some information?, our country is rookie in space information.
Thanks a lot.

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #7 on: 06/29/2018 01:50 pm »
Hello my friends, My name is Carlos, i am from Chile and i'm working in a high school with a robotic team Fll.
I need help of one of you for the season 2018/2019 "Into Orbit", can you help me with some information?, our country is rookie in space information.
Thanks a lot.

Hey Carlos - Welcome!

 Ask some questions! :)
Support NSF via L2 -- Help improve NSF -- Site Rules/Feedback/Updates
**Not a L2 member? Whitelist this forum in your adblocker to support the site and ensure full functionality.**

Offline SkipMorrow

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #8 on: 08/01/2018 05:04 pm »
The FLL challenge was released today. Schools in America don't start for about one more month, so I don't expect too many questions for experts in the space industry for a few more weeks. But if you are interested in helping some teams out, then you might want to take a look at the challenge materials and videos. If you decide that you DO want to help, maybe reply here or PM me and I will keep you on a list and try to pair you up with one or more teams. I would expect most interaction with the teams to be over email and possibly Skype. Teams around the world will be looking for professionals in the space industry to help them out with their projects, and I think NSF is just the place to find some!

In short, the challenge for the teams this year is to:

Quote
... identify a human physical or social problem faced during long duration space exploration within our Sun’s solar system and propose a solution.





https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/fll/2019/FIRST-FLL-2018-19-ChallengeGuide-Letter.pdf (pages 5-8, and some more amplifying information through page 13)

Finally, if working with kids like this is something that you are really interested in, I would like to encourage you to try and pair up with a team in your city this year as a coach/mentor.


Offline jeffro490

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Cincinnati
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #9 on: 09/13/2018 08:19 pm »
Hi Skip and All,
I'm glad you posted about First Lego League.  I am a coach this year for a team of 6th graders and the Theme is "Into Orbit"   My kids are trying to come up with a "Problem" for their research project. 

"With your team, consider all the things you would need to stay alive, healthy and happy while living and working in outer space and Identify a Unique problem that you would like to come up with an innovative solution for.

Our team has narrowed the problem they want to work on  down to 3  areas and are looking for guidance on where the biggest opportunity lies from the astronauts point of view. 

1 - Conserving Power
2 - Growing or Maintaining food supply
3 - Conservation of Water

Does anyone have any input base on your experience?  Also, does anyone work in the aerospace industry who my kids could exchange a few emails with since they are required to seek advice from experts in the field. 

Thanks!

Jeff C





Offline SkipMorrow

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #10 on: 09/15/2018 05:50 pm »
I am definitely not an expert for any of those, but I do know a thing or two. I am hoping that someone here will offer to help your team.

I also have a more general question. I'm looking for some problems that my team can tackle for their project. I'd love a REAL problem that they can work on, but a more general problem is also OK. The challenge this year:

Have your team identify a human physical or social problem faced during long duration space exploration within our Sun’s solar system and propose a solution.

So, for the community here, what are some specific problems that need solutions that our astronauts and cosmonauts will have to deal with?

FIRST gives some general questions here:
- Where do astronauts, cosmonauts and taikonauts get the oxygen and water they need when they are onboard a spacecraft or space station?
- How do humans eat in space? What kinds of food can we take to space?
- How is trash and human waste disposed of in space?
- What are some of the challenges humans will face as we make plans to travel to and explore Mars?
- What kinds of things do astronauts, cosmonauts and taikonauts do to stay healthy and happy in space when they are there for long periods of time?
- How do humans in space communicate with mission controllers, friends and family back on Earth?
- What does microgravity, reduced gravity and radiation do to the human body? How do humans lessen the effect of microgravity, reduced gravity and radiation on the body?
- What systems have been used in the past, are what methods are currently used, to provide power and life support on spacecraft and space stations?
- What power and life support systems are being planned for future spacecraft and human habitats on other planets?
- Humans have been going into space since 1961. How has our knowledge about living and working in space grown since then?
- What types of people study and work on human spaceflight here on Earth?
- What does it take to become an astronaut, cosmonaut or taikonaut?
- How do astronauts, cosmonauts and taikonauts, and their mission controllers, train for spaceflight?
- Why are spacewalks necessary, and is there a way to make them safer for humans?
- What are some of the unique challenges encountered when making spacecraft repairs in microgravity and reduced gravity environments?

Those are some thought-provoking questions. I have come up with a few that I will talk to my team about, but I'd sure like to have a few others.

Thanks in advance!

Offline jeffro490

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Cincinnati
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #11 on: 09/18/2018 08:32 pm »
Hi,
My 6th grade team has identified  a Problem they would like to investigate and solve.
They have been researching the water systems on the shuttle and the challenges with storing and recycling water.

Problem: The ISS needs to store over 500 gallons of water to live. This water is stored in tanks or duffel bags which are rigid and take up valuable space. If the water could be stored in more flexible containers it could serve many useful purposes (ie a beds, pillows, panels in walls, ceilings) and could free up more living space. 

https://goo.gl/images/PcvEu9

Does anyone have any feedback on this and whether it could work?
Thanks
Jeff c


Offline SkipMorrow

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #12 on: 09/18/2018 09:33 pm »
I can tell you that there are no pillows or beds on the ISS. No gravity means no need for them. Also, the shuttle hasn't flown for several years. But the ISS does need some water. I don't know how much they have in storage, but it gets replenished with a water purification system that recycles urine and sweat (or any other water that evaporates into the air). The great thing about your team's idea though is that a certain amount of water around you can stop certain types of radiation from hitting your body, so having this water all around sounds like a cool idea in that regard. I would also want to make sure it is very puncture proof. I wouldn't want huge amounts of water floating around the ISS.

Offline jeffro490

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Cincinnati
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #13 on: 09/18/2018 10:54 pm »
Skip,
Thanks for your response!  We didn't even think of that. 

One thing my team is noticing  is how much time the crew spends managing Contingency Water Containers (CWCs) and inputting and offloading from the regenerative water purification system, what a waste of valuable astronaut time!  There were a few reports we saw.  One report talked about how managing the shelf life of these CWCs is a headache as some of the bags have an expiration date (usually 3 yrs) and when the partner water sample on earth is tested it is found to be still potable water so the astronauts will then bring the CWC bag back into service (they call them zombie bags).  :)

Jeff C



Offline SkipMorrow

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #14 on: 10/03/2018 03:27 pm »
My team has some ideas related to firefighting in space (could be in orbit/zero-g or in a lunar/martian habitat, both very different but they are probably leaning towards the "in-orbit" scenario)
They have questions about training and fire extinguishing methods.
Anyone here consider themselves an expert in space firefighting that would be willing to exchange a few emails with some middle-schoolers on a mission?

Thanks in advance!

Offline jeffro490

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Cincinnati
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #15 on: 10/14/2018 08:11 pm »
Hi All,
Our 6th Grade Team has had a great Skype Session with a Content Specialist at the NASA Glenn Space Center.

Here is our Research Project Issue Statement/Problem and a Proposed Solution.  We are interested in any feedback anyone has.     

Revised Problem Statement:  The 6 person crew on the ISS needs to store and manage 500 gallons of water over a 6 month timeframe in 25 large duffel bags called Contingency Water Containers (CWCs) stored in a bulk compartment of the ISS called the PMM (Permanent Multipurpose Module).

The astronauts spend a lot of time (how much approx?) going to the PMM, trying to find the right CWC bag, taking it to the point of use, and then returning it to the PMM room.  This inventory management which involves retrieving, using and re-storing uses valuable time and can be more efficient.

Solution:  Our team has created flexible flat ribbed panel bags that can be made in various sizes and can be velcro attached to the walls, floors and ceilings of the ISS closer to the point of use.  Additionally, they can be color coded with visual controls so the astronauts can quickly identify the type of water (potable, non-potable, waste, experiment water).  Our solution will make it more efficient for the crew to Store, Identify, Retrieve, Use and Re-store and manage the inventory of the CWC water on the ISS. 

Thanks!
EH Greene 6th Grade First Robotics Lego League Team
The Green Machines

   

Offline SkipMorrow

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #16 on: 10/14/2018 11:46 pm »
I think that is an incredible idea! The only concern I have would be that they seem like they could be fragile. If they get torn, it could spill a lot of water. So you use stronger, tear-proof containers and problem solved! Yeah, I like it. :)

Offline jeffro490

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Cincinnati
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #17 on: 10/29/2018 08:30 pm »
Thanks Skip, what is the name of your Team?

Jeff

We are the Green Machines in  Cincinnati, OH


Offline SkipMorrow

Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #18 on: 10/29/2018 08:55 pm »
My team's name this year is Alpha Centauri. We are from Norfolk Collegiate in Norfolk, VA. Our regional is Nov 17th.

Offline jeffro490

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Cincinnati
  • Liked: 0
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: FIRST Lego League 2018-2019 Theme: "Into Orbit"
« Reply #19 on: 12/17/2018 04:25 pm »
       
     Hello, this is the Green Machines First Lego League team from Cincinnati, Ohio. We have a couple of questions for our research project.  Most of these questions we couldn't find anywhere so we want you to answer some of our questions because we couldn't find any exact data. The first question is what are Contingency Water Containers made out of? We tried searching through NASA'S website and couldn't find any information about it. Is it classified? Or just not there?

Our second question is where on the ISS is polypropylene used. We saw on the NASA website that it is commonly used but it never says what for. Our third question is how do you transfer water to and from the CWC to the water filtration system? We know there is no gravity in space so do you use a vacuum to push the water out?

Thanks!

Tags: FLL 
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
1