Ridgefield Robotics
Dear 2016 Candidates,
Thank you for your interest in the Slocum Skewes Robotics Team. Please
read this packet to learn about individual expectations, tryouts, and the 2016
global challenge. The team will be comprised of up to ten 8th grade students
who are committed to working together to solve challenging problems under
tight constraints. We operate under a set of Core Values that celebrate
discovery, teamwork, Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition®.
Gracious Professionalism
FLL defines Gracious Professionalism as “a way of doing things that
encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects
individuals and the community. Fierce competition and mutual gain are not
separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but
treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid
treating anyone like losers. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are
comfortably blended”.
Coopertition®
Coopertition® produces innovation. It means displaying unqualified kindness
and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the
concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate
with each other even as they compete. Coopertition involves learning from
teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is learning from mentors. And it is
managing and being managed. Coopertition means competing always, but
assisting and enabling others when you can.
2016 Global Challenge
Each year, FLL releases a Challenge, which is based on a real-world
scientific topic. The Challenge has three parts: the Robot Game, the Project,
and the Core Values. You must read and understand the challenge in order
to try out. The link to the challenge is:
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/challenge
Tryouts
Tryouts will be held on Wednesday, October 5th and Friday, October 7th. A
signup sheet for tryouts will be available during the practice sessions. Refer
to the Scoring section for details.
Also, please note that teacher
recommendations will be integral to the decision process.
Practice sessions will be available for interested students after school on
Wednesday, September 27 and Friday, September 29.
Practices and Events
Practices will be held every Wednesday and Friday from 2:45 – 4:30 during
the month of October. The practices will become more frequent and last
longer in November as the team prepares for competition.
 Bergen County Regional Competition will be held on Saturday,
November 19, 2016. It is an all day event and attendance is
MANDATORY. Details to follow.
 NJ State Championship is scheduled for Saturday, December 10,
2016. It is limited to teams that win a qualifying bid at the regional
event. If our team is successful on November 19th, the members
will be required to attend this all day championship event.
Student Commitment
Please print and sign the Student Commitment page and bring it with you to
tryouts.
GOOD LUCK !!!
Ridgefield Robotics
Math/Science Teacher Recommendation Form: Grades 7 & 8
Student Name: ______________________________________
The student named above is applying for the Slocum Skewes Robotics Team.
Successful students are those that are creative critical thinkers, relish problem solving,
are able to focus for extended periods of time, and are willing to work collaboratively on
tough problems. ONLY COMPOSITE SCORES WILL BE INCLUDED IN SCORING.
Please evaluate this student based on the following assessment by circling 10 indicating
the student is very much like this down to 1 indicating the student is not at all like this.
Very much like this
Not at all like this
1. Critical Thinker: Demonstrates analytical reasoning skills.
10
9
8
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5
4
3
2
1
2
1
2. Problem Solver: Interested in and intrigued by solving problems.
10
9
8
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5
4
3
3. Creative Thinker: Thinks outside-the-box, sees things from multiple perspectives.
10
9
8
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5
4
3
2
1
3
2
1
4. Self-Controlled: Able to maintain focus and attention.
10
9
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5
4
5. Collaborative: Willing to contribute ideas & listen to and accept new ideas.
10
9
8
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5
4
3
2
1
6. Reliable: Completes homework/projects in a timely manner, without prompting.
10
9
8
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5
4
3
2
Comments:
Teacher Signature: ______________________________________________
1
Please return the form directly to Ms. Furman (not the student) by Tuesday, October 4th.
Ridgefield Robotics
SCORING SHEET
Name: ________________________________
Students will be given three opportunities to demonstrate their programming abilities.
Please check the answer that matches the result after each of the three runs. The best
score of the three attempts will count.
USE OF SENSORS
Robot gets to base autonomously (without intervention):
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Uses color sensor to detect black line to get to target (10)
Uses color sensor but doesn’t get to target (8)
Gets to target without sensor using straight aim (5)
Doesn’t get to target (0)
_______
_______
_______
USE OF MOTORS
Robot delivers goods (5 pieces) to target using one or more servo-motors:

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All items are within target area limits (10)
Some items are within target area (8)
No items are within target area (3)
Servo-motor not programmed (0)
_______
_______
_______
_______
REVERSE ENGINEERING
Robot successfully returns to base after target area mission:

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Uses color sensor to detect black line to return to base (10)
Uses color sensor but doesn’t get to base (8)
Gets to base without sensor using straight aim (5)
Doesn’t get back to base successfully (0)
_______
_______
_______
_______
TEACHER COMPOSITE SCORE

Overall score from teacher recommendations (20)
TOTAL SCORE (50 possible points)
_______
_______
STUDENT COMMITMENT
This page must be signed and submitted on the day of tryouts.

I understand that attendance at practices is mandatory because my team
counts on me. If I must miss practice, I will inform my coach.

I understand that while robotics sessions are fun, participation requires a high
level of mental focus and energy. I will contribute at the highest level even after
a long day at school.

I understand that I must work comfortably in a team environment by offering
potential solutions to difficult problems, participating in constructive analysis of
options, and supporting final team decision even when my ideas are not
adopted.

I understand that there are many roles on the team and that I may not have
“hands-on” the robot every day. Research roles are equally important as each
category is judged separately.

I understand that schoolwork and homework are priorities and that I may be
dropped from the team if my grades are affected by long practice sessions.

I understand that I must attend the Bergen County Regional Tournament to be
held on Saturday, November 19, 2016. My parent signature below indicates
that nothing else will be scheduled on this day. If I cannot commit to this date, I
cannot join the Ridgefield Robotics Team.

I understand that the NJ Championship Competition will be held on Saturday,
December 10, 2016. Advancement to the championship cannot be determined
until November 19th but my parent signature below indicates that this day will
be reserved for robotics or I will be unable to join the Ridgefield Robotics Team.
STUDENT NAME (print): __________________________________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE: __________________________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: _________________________________________
DATE: ______________________